Vidya Sinha (15 November 1947 – 15 August 2019) was an Indian actress who acted in

Hindi Hindi (Devanāgarī: or , ), or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi (Devanagari: ), is an Indo-Aryan language spoken chiefly in the Hindi Belt region encompassing parts of northern, central, eastern, and western India. Hindi has been de ...

films, most known for ''

Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari.Chhoti Si Baat ''Chhoti Si Baat'' () is a 1976 Hindi-language romantic comedy coming of age film directed by Basu Chatterjee. Considered one of the best Hindi comedy films of the 1970s, it is a nostalgic favourite for its quirky take on pre-hypercongestion ...

'' (1975) and '' Pati Patni Aur Woh'' (1978). She started her career as a model and won the Miss Bombay title. Her first movie was ''Raja Kaka'' (1974) opposite

Kiran Kumar Kiran Kumar (born as Deepak Dhar; 20 October 1953) is an Indian screen and theatre actor. He has worked in numerous Hindi, Bhojpuri and Gujarati television and film productions. His latest work in drama is ''Charlie 2''. Personal life Kumar co ...

. However, fame came to her through the low-budget break-away hit ''

Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari.Basu Chatterjee Basu Chatterjee ( bn, বাসু চ্যাটার্জ্জী; 10 January 1927 – 4 June 2020) was an Indian film director and screenwriter. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Chatterjee became associated with what came to be known as mi ...

. She acted in several films after which she took a hiatus. Returning to acting in the later part of her life, she acted in several TV serials and the Salman Khan movie ''

Bodyguard A bodyguard (or close protection officer/operative) is a type of security guard, government law enforcement officer, or servicemember who protects a person or a group of people — usually witnesses, high-ranking public officials or officers, w ...

'' (2011).

Early life

Vidya Sinha was born on 15 November 1947 in Mumbai. Her father Pratap A. Rana (film name), also known as Rana Pratap Singh, was an Indian film producer, son-in-law of film director Mohan Sinha.

Career

Movies

At the age of 18, she participated in a beauty contest where she was crowned Miss Bombay. After that she began modelling for several popular brands and was discovered by

Basu Chatterjee Basu Chatterjee ( bn, বাসু চ্যাটার্জ্জী; 10 January 1927 – 4 June 2020) was an Indian film director and screenwriter. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Chatterjee became associated with what came to be known as mi ...

. Her first movie was ''Raja Kaka'' (1974) opposite

. However, fame came to her through the low-budget break-away hit ''

Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari. The movie, with none of the trappings of a typical blockbuster, was a major box office success. This was followed by another hit, ''

Chhoti Si Baat ''Chhoti Si Baat'' () is a 1976 Hindi-language romantic comedy coming of age film directed by Basu Chatterjee. Considered one of the best Hindi comedy films of the 1970s, it is a nostalgic favourite for its quirky take on pre-hypercongestion ...

'' (1975), paving the way for starring in mainstream productions with bigger budgets – ''

Karm ''Karm'' () is a 1977 Hindi movie produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Rajesh Khanna, Vidya Sinha, Shabana Azmi, Urmila Matondkar and Master Bittoo. The songs wrtin by Rajkavi Inderjeet Singh Tulsi and music given by R. D. ...

'' (1977) with

Rajesh Khanna Rajesh Khanna () (; born Jatin Khanna; 29 December 1942 – 18 July 2012) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who worked in Hindi films. He is called as the "First Superstar of Hindi cinema", he consecutively starred in a record ...

and

Shabana Azmi Shabana Azmi (born 18 September 1950) is an Indian actress of Hindi film, television and theatre. One of India's most acclaimed actresses, Azmi is known for her portrayals of distinctive, often unconventional female characters across several ge ...

, '' Mukti'' (1977) with

Sanjeev Kumar Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thriller ...

and

Shashi Kapoor Shashi Kapoor (pronounced �əʃi kəpuːɾ (born Balbir Raj Kapoor; 18 March 1938 – 4 December 2017) was an Indian actor and film producer who is best known for his work in Hindi films. A recipient of several accolades, including four Nation ...

, '' Inkaar'' (1977) with

Vinod Khanna Vinod Khanna (6 October 1946 – 27 April 2017) was an Indian actor, film producer and politician who is best known for his work in Hindi films; while also being a notable spiritual seeker. In Bollywood, he was the recipient of two Filmfare awa ...

, '' Pati Patni Aur Woh'' (1978) with

and

Ranjeeta Kaur Ranjeeta "Robby" Kaur (born 22 September 1956) is an Indian actress. She was trained at FTII. She has appeared in around 47 films. She has portrayed a variety of characters and her films include: '' Laila Majnu'' (1976), ''Ankhiyon Ke Jharo ...

Gulzar Sampooran Singh Kalra (born 18 August 1934), known professionally as Gulzar, is an Indian Urdu poet, lyricist, author, screenwriter, and film director known for his works in Hindi cinema. He is regarded as one of greatest Urdu poets of this ...

's ''

Kitaab ''Kitaab'' (''English: The Book'') is a 1977 Indian drama film written and directed by Gulzar. The film stars Uttam Kumar, Vidya Sinha, Shreeram Lagoo, Keshto Mukherjee and Asit Sen. The film was based on Bengali story ''Pathik'' by Samaresh B ...

'' (1977) and ''

Meera Meera, better known as Mirabai and venerated as Sant Meerabai, was a 16th-century Hindu mystic poet and devotee of Krishna. She is a celebrated Bhakti saint, particularly in the North Indian Hindu tradition. Mirabai was born into a Rathore ...

'' (1979). Vidya acted in 30 movies over a period of 10 years. In the

Raj Sippy Raj N. Sippy (born 6 March 1948) also known as Raj Sippy, is an Indian film director and producer working on ''Bollywood'' films. He was very prominent in the 1980s, with successful films, like '' Inkaar'', Satyamev Jayate and Mahaadev with Vin ...

directed ''Josh'' (1981), she played her only negative role; that of a gangster stealing coins from beggars. The same year she played

Vijeta Pandit Vijayta Pandit is an Indian actress and playback singer, most famous for her first film '' Love Story'' (1981). Early life and background Vijayta comes from a musical family originating from Pili Mandori Village in Hissar district of Haryana ...

's mother in the romantic film '' Love Story'', starring opposite

Rajendra Kumar Rajendra Kumar Tuli (20 July 1927 – 12 July 1999) was an Indian actor who starred in Bollywood films. Starting his career in 1949, he appeared in more than 80 films in a career spanning over four decades. He was popularly known as the 'Jubil ...

and

Danny Danny is a masculine given name. It is related to the male name Daniel. It may refer to: People * Danny Altmann, British immunologist *Danny Antonucci, Canadian animator, director, producer, and writer *Danny Baker (born 1957), English journal ...

. After some years in Australia, Vidya returned to India and started acting in television serials.

Salman Khan Abdul Rashid Salim Salman Khan (; 27 December 1965) is an Indian actor, film producer, and television personality who works in Hindi films. In a film career spanning over thirty years, Khan has received numerous awards, including two Nation ...

's ''

'' (2011), her film after 25 years, was also her last film.

Television

Vidya Sinha acted in TV serials like ''Bahu Rani'' (2000), ''Hum Do Hain Na'', ''

Bhabhi Bhabhi may refer to: * ''Bhabhi'' (1938 film) * ''Bhabhi'' (1957 film), a 1957 Hindi film * ''Bhabhi'' (1991 film), a 1991 Hindi film * ''Bhabhi'' (TV series), a 2002 Hindi TV series aired on StarPlus * ''Savita Bhabhi Savita Bhabhi is a ...

'' and ''

Kkavyanjali Kkavyanjali is an Indian television romantic drama series that aired on Star Plus from 25 January 2005 to 28 August 2006. The series starred Anita Hassanandani, Rakshak Sahni and Eijaz Khan. It is the tale of two lovers who can never meet, sou ...

'' (2004). In 2011 she appeared in the

NDTV Imagine Imagine TV was a Hindi general entertainment channel owned by Turner Broadcasting System, and based in New Delhi. The channel was known for shows such as '' Ramayan (2008), Chandragupta Maurya, '' Swayamvar'', ''Baba Aiso Varr Dhoondo'', ''M ...

serial ''Haar Jeet''. She enacted the role of Asad's and Ayaan's grandmother, Badi Bi in the Zee TV show, ''

Qubool Hai ''Qubool Hai'' () is an Indian soap opera that was produced by 4 Lions Films and broadcast on Zee TV. The series focused on the Muslim community and initially aimed to dispel stereotypes regarding Islam,Times News Network. and had been credi ...

''. She was also seen as Neha's grandmother in ''Itti Si Khushi''., as Chandragupt's grandmother in ''

Chandra Nandini ''Chandra Nandini'' is an Indian Hindi-language Historical fictional drama television series which aired on Star Plus from 10 October 2016 until 10 November 2017. It was produced by Ekta Kapoor under her banner Balaji Telefilms and is directed b ...

'' and as Kulfi's grandmother in ''

Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala ''Kullfi Kumarr Bajewala'' ( Kullfi Kumarr the musician) is an Indian musical drama television series which aired from 19 March 2018 to 7 February 2020 on Star Plus. Produced by Gul Khan, Karishma Jain and Nilanjana Purkayasstha, it was direct ...

''.

Filmography

Television

Personal life

Sinha married her neighbor, a Tamil Brahmin named Venkateshwaran Iyer, in 1968 and adopted a daughter, Jhanvi, in 1989. The next few years were spent in taking care of Jhanvi and her ailing husband, who eventually died in 1996. She then moved to

Sydney Sydney ( ) is the capital city of the state of New South Wales, and the most populous city in both Australia and Oceania. Located on Australia's east coast, the metropolis surrounds Sydney Harbour and extends about towards the Blue Mountain ...

, met the elderly Australian doctor, Netaji Bhimrao Salunke, online in 2001, and married him after a quick courtship, in a small temple wedding. On 9 January 2009, she filed a complaint with the police accusing Salunkhe of physical and mental torture. They were divorced soon afterwards, and after a protracted battle, she won her case against him for maintenance.

Death

On 15 August 2019, Sinha died at a hospital in

Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the second- ...

respiratory failure Respiratory failure results from inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, meaning that the arterial oxygen, carbon dioxide, or both cannot be kept at normal levels. A drop in the oxygen carried in the blood is known as hypoxemia; a rise ...

caused by heart and lung disease at the age of 71. She had been admitted to the hospital on 11 August for breathing problems and subsequently put on a ventilator.

References

External links

* *
Archived pictures of Vidya Sinha
at ''

The Indian Express ''The Indian Express'' is an English-language Indian daily newspaper founded in 1932. It is published in Mumbai by the Indian Express Group. In 1999, eight years after the group's founder Ramnath Goenka's death in 1991, the group was split betw ...

'' {{DEFAULTSORT:Sinha, Vidya Actresses from Mumbai Indian film actresses 1947 births 2019 deaths Actresses in Hindi cinema Actresses in Hindi television Indian television actresses 20th-century Indian actresses 21st-century Indian actresses Actors from Mumbai Deaths from respiratory failure