Reema Lagoo, the best known on screen maa breathed her last early Thursday morning in Mumbai. The beloved mother who has played some of the most memorable roles on screen was 59 years of age.
Reportedly the actor suffered a cardiac arrest and was rushed to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Andheri Mumbai.
Lagoo, whose maiden name was Gurinder Bhadbade created a unique niche for herself in Indian cinema as an inveterately loving mom whom the audience revered as much.
Lagoo who started out as a theatre artist and played roles in Marathi cinema rose to prominence in the late 80’s. She played Juhi Chawla’s mom in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak and just next year repeated her silver innings with 1989 superhit movie Maine Pyaar Kia.
If Salman Khan rose as the new superstar following the groundbreaking success of Maine Pyaar Kia and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, it was Lagoo who played the role of Khan’s mother in the movie who now firmly stamped her position as the most loved on-screen mother in Bollywood. She has played mom to almost all the superstars in Bollywood.
Lagoo has a daughter named Mrunmayi who is also a theater personality. It is indeed a sad day for the industry and millions of Hindi cinema lovers across the country. Lagoo with her charming and relatable performance infused life in all her roles no wonder many saw a reflection of their moms in the very talented Reema Lagoo.
Just days past Mother’s Day, it was the rudest shock that Bollywood lovers received on Thursday morning. Reema Lagoo, one of the best-known actors for her emotional portrayal of Bollywood ‘Maa’ succumbed to cardiac arrest.
Mourning this irreparable loss, we pay ode to Reema Lagoo and think of some of the most iconic on-screen mothers in Indian cinema
Ode to Bollywood Maas
- Nirupa Roy: Just before Reema Lagoo managed to capture the hearts of Indians as the new-age maa in Bollywood in late 80’s, it was Nirupa Roy who was the best known on screen maa. During the 70’s and 80’s Roy did several memorable roles that stamped her as positing as the silently, suffering Indian mother.
After playing mom to Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in Deewar, Roy became a household name but earlier too she had some iconic roles in films such as Do Bigha Zameen, Rani Roopmati etc. Her other notable performances include Mard, Amar Akbar Anthony, Suhaag and many other super hits. Roy died in 2004.
- Farida Jalal: Jalal won hearts as Kajol’s mom in Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge for her portrayal of a mom tied with traditions but wishing an individual identity for her daughter. Almost in all her roles whether it was in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or Dil Toh Pagal Hai, Jalal is best known to add that endearing touch.She has also starred in successful TV shows and just last month she fell victim to a hoax death scare on Internet. Jalal later clarified that the news was fake.
- Kirron Kher: Known for her impeccable sari style, Kher also belongs in the category of the new age Bollywood mothers who effortlessly glide between tradition and modernity.Whether it was seething mother to Aishwarya Rai in Devdas or Preity Zinta’s mother in Veer Zara or the funny Punjabi mum in Dostana, Kher is a class apart and the sort of mum on screen we all wish to have.
- Rakhee: Rakhee was one of the few actresses who played both the lead role and later reserved her place as the mother in Indian cinema.Her most notable performances included Ram Lakhan, Karan Arjun, Baazigar and Khalnayak. She was last seen in the movie Subho Mahurat in 2003 and chose to retire from cinema post that.
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