Sadhana Shivdasani   known mononymously as  Sadhana, was an Indian actress active between 1960 and 1981. Popularly known as “The Mystery Girl” for playing mysterious women in films directed by Raj Khosla, Sadhana ranked among the highest- paid actresses in the country from mid-1960s to early 1970s.

Sadhana aspired to be an actress since childhood. Her father helped her enter films. In 1955 she played a chorus girl in the song “Mur mur ke na dekh mur mur ke” in Raj Kapoor’s ‘Shree 420’.  When she was 15 years old, she was approached by some producers who had seen her act in a college play. They cast her in India’s first Sindhi film titled  Abaana (1958), where she played the role of Sheila Ramani’s younger sister.

A photograph of her publicising  Shree 420  appeared in the movie magazine Screen. It was then that Sashadhar Mukherjee, one of Hindi cinema’s leading producers at that time, noticed her. She joined Mukherjee’s acting school along with her debutant co-star Joy Mukherjee, Sashadhar’s son. R. K. Nayyar, who had previously worked as assistant director on a few films, directed this film. He also created her trademark look, called the  Sadhana cut, inspired by British actress Audrey Hepburn.  The Filmalaya Production banner thus introduced Joy, Sadhana and her iconic hairstyle in their 1960 romantic film ‘Love in Simla‘. The film was declared a hit at the box office and was listed in the top 10 films of 1960.

Sadhana was signed by acclaimed director Bimal Roy for his satirical film on Indian democracy, Parakh. She portrayed a simple village girl in this multi-award-winning film. The film is known for the song “O Sajna Barkha Bahar Aai”.

1961’s hit film, Hum Dono (Both of Us), she played the love interest of Dev Anand. Rediff.com  in the film’s review writes about Sadhana: “Her eyes, expressive and captivating, do most of the work, while she balances out her submissiveness with a firm tongue.”  The evergreen duet “Abhi naa jao chhod kar, ke dil abhi bhara nahin” from the film  Hum Dono  is regarded as “the most romantic song”. Sadhana’s curious expressions in the song denote listener’s peculiar ecstasy.

In 1962, she was again paired with Dev Anand in Asli-Naqli (Real and Fake) by director Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The film has two hit songs “Tujhe Jeevan Ki Dor Se”,  and “Tera Mera Pyar Amar”. The same year saw director-screenwriter Raj Khosla  cast her opposite Joy Mukherjee in Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (A Traveller and A Beauty). Khosla would again work with Sadhana to make a suspense thriller trilogy. The song “Aap Yun Hi Agar Humse Milte Rahe” is based on Kedar rag.

Mere Mehboob  (“My Lover”) film was the highest grossing Indian film of 1963. In this film, Sadhana played her first role in the technicolor film. The song “Mere Mehboob Tujhe” was shot in the University Hall and in a couple of places, one gets to see the University. The song became very popular upon release. The opening scene of the film shows the famous residential hall and the associated hall “Victoria Gate”.

Woh Kaun Thi (Who Was She?)  1964 film , she played a double role in the first of the suspense-thriller trilogy. This white-sari-clad performance opposite Manoj Kumar,  earned her first Filmfare nomination as Best Actress. This role she got to be part of  Madan Mohan’s songs “Naina barse” and “Lag jaa gale”.  Rediff.com  called her a show-stopper “with an intriguing Mona Lisa -like smile”. The film was a box office hit.

1964  Rajkumar  (Prince) film was a box office success and has the hit songs “Aaja Aai Bahar”, “Tumne Pukara Aur Hum Chale Aaye”, “Tumne Kisi Ki Jaan Ko” and “Is Rang Badalti Duniya Mein”.

1965 Arzoo was one of the blockbuster movie and it was 4th grossing movie of that year. The film had songs like “Ae Phoolon ki Rani” sung by Mohammad Rafi and ” Aji rooth kar ab”.  Arzoo is the story of a love that triumphed over life and fate.

Waqt (Time) 1965 drama film, Sadhana appeared alongside Sunil Dutt. For her performance in this hit film, Sadhana got her second Filmfare nomination as Best Actress for the role of Meena. She stood out in Bollywood’s first ever ensemble cast by bringing out the fashion of tight  churidar-kurtas. The film proved to be 1965’s “blockbuster hit”.

1966  Mera Saaya  (‘My Shadow’)  was a co urtroom drama film, again saw Sadhana playing a double role, now opposite Sunil Dutt. The film was the third film directed by Raj Khosla with Sadhana. The song “Jhumka gira re” composed by Madan Mohan  saw Sadhana perform dance steps. The song became so popular that excited audience in cinema halls used to throw coins at the screen, and is one of the most requested songs on the radio. The film also had the classic songs “Mera Saaya Saath Hoga” and “Nainon Mein Badra Chhaye”.

Anita  in this 1967 suspense film, Sadhana appeared alongside Manoj Kumar. This was the last film of the suspense-thriller trilogy of Khosla-Sadhana partnership.

Inteqam (Revenge) is 1969 film directed by R.K. Nayyar, and stars Sadhana and Sanjay Khan. The film features the first cabaret number song “Aa Jaane Jaan”, also a rarity through her career. The film was a success at box office and marked the return of Sadhana after her brief illness, and her husband directed the film.

Her other notable works in the 1960s include performances in Gaban (1966),   Budtameez  (1966) and Sachhaai (1969). Ek Phool Do Mali is 1969 film of stars Sadhana and Sanjay Khan in lead roles and has hit songs such as “Ye Parda Hata Do”.

In 1974, the actress made her directorial debut with the crime thriller Geetaa Mera Naam.  She realized it was time to gracefully withdraw and let people remember her as a top heroine and later withdrew from acting. Her final screen appearance was in the delayed release  Ulfat Ki Nayee Manzeelein  (1994). In 2002, she received the IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award  for her contributions to Indian Cinema.

Sadhana’s fringe-cut, tight churidar kurtas and mojris set major fashion trends of their time. Sadhana was much more than just a glamour doll and was a talented actress.

Photos courtesy Google. Excerpts taken from Google.