In this weekend blog, I am continuing with the topic I started last week about the actresses who made their debut in the 1960s and attained stardom. In this list, the next actress is who made her debut in the year 1960 in a film called Love In Simla, friends, I am referring to SADHANA.
Born in Karachi on 2nd September 1941, her family migrated to Bombay after the partition. After being part of a chorus dancer in Shri 420, Sadhana made her debut as a heroine in S Mukherjee’s Love in Simla in the year 1960, where her distinctive hairstyle became a rage and came to be known as the Sadhana cut. This film was followed by Bimal Roy’s Parakh (1961). Next, he played the love interest of Dev Anand in Hum Dono (1961).
Her other film were Asli Nakli (1962)with Dev Anand, Ek Musafir Ek Hasina (1962) with Joy Mukherjee. Next she starred in her first colour film Mere Mehboob ( 1963), opposite Rajendra Kapoor. In 1964, she acted in Who Kaun Thi, a mystery film directed by Raj Khosla. This film fetched her first Filmfare Best Actress nomination. Raj Khosla cast here in two more successful mystery films: Mera Saaya (1966) and Anita (1967). She got her second Filmfare nomination for Best Actress in Waqt (1965), a super hit multi starrer block buster film with Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor and Sharmila Tagore. She had one more successful film in 1965, Aarzoo with Rajendra Kumar
Her other notable films were Rajkumar (1964) with Shammi Kapoor, Dulha Dulhan (1964) with Raj Kapoor, Gaban (1966) with Sunil Dutt, and Budtameez (1966) with Shammi Kapoor.
In the later part of 1960s she had health issues due to her thyroid, and she went to the USA for treatment. After returning, she acted in Intequam (1969) and Ek Phool Do Mali (1969) with Sanjay Khan, Aap Aaye Bahae Aayee (1971) with Rajendra Kumar, Ishq Par Zor Nahin (1970) with Dharmendra , Dil Daulat Duniya (1972) with Rajesh Khanna, and Geeta Mera Naam (1974) with Feroze Khan and Sunil Dutt. This film was directed by her. After 1974 she retired from acting.
In personal life she was married to director RK Nayyar, who directed her in her first film Love in Simla. The couple had no children. She suffered from eye problems due to hyperthyroidism. After she retired from acting, she refused to be photographed. She died on 25th December 2015. In a career spanning 15 years, she acted in 31 films as a leading lady. She never acted in side or character roles.
Here is the list of my favourite Sadhana songs with YouTube links:
1 Ae Baby Idhar Aao, Aa Gaya– Love in Simla (Film-F) 1960. Mohd Rafi and Asha Bhosle (singer-S), Rajender Krishan (Lyricist –L), Iqbal Quereshi (Music Director-MD). On screen with Joy Mukherjee
https://youtu.be/F9NqcZAGbH4?si=ky-HWqibzs-kNIrG
2 Mila Hai Kisika Jhumka– Parakh (F) 1960. Laya Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Salil Choudhary (MD).
https://youtu.be/F9NqcZAGbH4?si=ky-HWqibzs-kNIrG
3 Abhi Na Jao Chod Kar, Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin-Hum Dono (F) 1961. Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), Sahir Ludhinavi (L), Jaidev (MD). On screen with Dev Anand.
https://youtu.be/mfEQgoVi7P4?si=rl8nzLkw1omI1EGc
4 Bahut Shukriya, Badi Meherbani– Ek Musafir Ek Haseena (1961). Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), OP Nayyar (MD). On screen with Joy Mukherjee.
https://youtu.be/n2aSBlqu8sk?si=dRd7OdCd9rNEfcCN
5 Tera Mera Pyar Amar, Phir Kyun Mujhko Lagta Hai Dar– Asli Nakli (F) 1962. Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/uXCl5OfUiIo?si=Ge6DfnQFrC5pHsUo
6 Mere Mehboob Mein Kya Nahin– Mere Mehboob (F) 1963. Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD). On screen with Ameeta.
https://youtu.be/BvdXQwjCesA?si=dNVV4W2RoPfQUD7u
7 Lag Ja Gale Ke Phir Yeh Haseen Raat Ho Na Ho– Who Kaun Thi (F) 1964. Lata Mangeshkar (S), Raja Mehndi Ali Khan (L), Madan Mohan (MD)
https://youtu.be/y2fgw1Oqz28?si=WMsjkv-oqZN1RzVy
8 Dilruba, Dil Pe Tu Yeh Sitam Kiye Ja– Rajkumar (F) 1964. Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), Hasrat Jaipuri(L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/CKXpO-g-JTM?si=VaOhmadGV-XhQqlQ
9 Humne Tujhko Pyar Kiya hai Jitana– Dulha Dulhan (F) 1964. Lata Mangeshkar (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anandji (MD)
https://youtu.be/-afDWQgqGuU?si=FWEoQbAaHTxcr9Na
10 Kaun Aaya Ke Nighaon Mein Chamak Jaag Uthi– Waqt (F) 1965. Asha Bhosle (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Ravi (MD)
https://youtu.be/uLyEPFdTMjc?si=GoH7MFZrzSjYGbh-
11 Bedardi Balma Tejhko Mera Man Yaad Karta Hai– Arzoo (F) 1965. Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hasrat jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/LcjOTUUOTro?si=jqeZKKS2tL9cxl35
12 Jhumka Gira Re bareilly Ke Bazaar Mein– Mera Saaya (F) 1966.Asha Bhosle (S), Raja Mehndi Ali Khan (L), Madan Mohan (MD)
https://youtu.be/ETSsIHOnuTY?si=k3C029oCibyeqYPa
14 Yeh Parda hata Do, Jara Mukhada Dikha Do- Ek Phool Do Mali (F) 1969. Mohd Rafi & Asha Bhosle (S), Prem Dhawan (L), Ravi (MD). On screen with Sanjay Khan.
https://youtu.be/RR2aUbFkrW0?si=WCjJFfBL5zbOhEL5
15 Koyal kyun Gaaye, Baagh Mein Jab Bahar Chali– Aap Aaye Bahar Aayee (F) 1971, Mohd Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Anand bakshi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD). On screen with Rajendra Kumar
https://youtu.be/5qGFuaABccU?si=kpuzuVlWa7-mcITT
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
1st May 2026