Latest news with #AeMeriZohraJabeen
India.com
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress once ruled Indian cinema, worked with Raj Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, died tragically, no star attended her funeral, name was...
A name that would never be forgotten in the golden years of Hindi cinema, Achala Sachdev played iconic roles that audiences remember to this day. The actress, born on 3 May 1920 in Peshawar, had her life shaped by hardship early on. After losing her father at just six, her mother raised three daughters single-handedly. Achala vowed to marry only once she became financially independent, a promise she kept. How did she begin her journey? Achala's artistic roots lay in radio. She began her career with All India Radio Lahore and later moved to Delhi post-Partition. At 20, she landed her first film role in Fashionable Wife, playing a mother. The film's success gave her a break, but also boxed her into the 'mother figure' for decades to come. What made her a household name? It was Yash Chopra's 1965 classic Waqt that became a turning point. As Balraj Sahni's onscreen wife, she was part of the unforgettable romantic number 'Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen'. The song immortalised her image in the minds of generations. But Achala's legacy wasn't built on a single role. She appeared in films like Sangam, Mera Naam Joker, Andaz, Daag, and Chandni, working with the likes of Raj Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna, and Sridevi. What was her personal life like? Off-screen, her life was far from cinematic. She married director Gyan Sachdev and had a son, Jyotin. But the marriage was turbulent, leading to divorce. Her son eventually settled abroad, leaving Achala to navigate life alone. What happened in her last few years? Despite working with legends, from Raj Kapoor to Karan Johar, Achala's last years were lonely. She distanced herself from the film world. Tragically, when she passed away, not a single soul from the industry came to bid her farewell.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood's ‘Zohra Jabeen' who worked with Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra, Karan Johar quit industry over disrespect; nobody from industry attended her funeral
For anyone who has watched Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, the image of Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan's affectionate grandmother may come to mind. If not that, then surely the kind-hearted daadi to Kajol's character in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge will strike a chord. And even if those don't ring a bell, fans of Yash Chopra's timeless classic Waqt will remember the elegant woman who played Balraj Sahni's wife, the one for whom the iconic song 'Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen' was picturised. That woman was none other than veteran actress Achala Sachdev, a stalwart of Indian cinema whose career spanned decades and who shared the screen with some of the biggest names in the industry. Born on May 3, 1920, in Peshawar, Achala's life was marred by the loss of her father when she was just six years old. Achala grew up watching her single mother struggle to educate and marry off her three elder sisters in trying circumstances. However, Achala made a vow: she would marry only when she becomes independent and self-reliant. Her journey into the world of performance began with All India Radio in Lahore, where she participated in radio dramas. After the Partition, she relocated to Delhi with her relatives and joined AIR Delhi. At the age of 20, she was offered a role in the film Fashionable Wife, in which, coincidentally, she played the role of a mother. Despite her youth, she accepted the part, making it her debut in cinema. Achala's first performance was well received, but it came with a caveat, she was quickly typecast in motherly roles. Reluctant but committed to her craft, she continued taking on such roles while maintaining her job at All India Radio. The 1950s saw her work in critically acclaimed films like Mother, Rahi, Footpath, Chandni Chowk, Naukri, Azad, Miss Mary, and Adalat. But it was in 1965, with Yash Chopra's Waqt, that her career reached a defining moment. The song 'Ae Meri Zohra Jabeen', picturised on her, became a cultural touchstone, immortalising her presence in the annals of Indian cinema. Over the years, she collaborated with legendary filmmakers and co-stars: Raj Kapoor in Sangam and Mera Naam Joker, Rajesh Khanna in Andaaz and Daag, and later Sridevi in Chandni. While she found success professionally, Achala's personal life was far from smooth. She married Gyan Sachdev, an assistant director, and they had a son, Jyotin. But the marriage was troubled, marked by frequent fights. Eventually, the couple divorced, and Jyotin later moved abroad, leaving Achala to face solitude. Also Read | Former Miss India-actor had all the talent, but was forgotten by Bollywood just because she was taller than the Khans She found comfort in close friendships within the industry, with Kalpana Kartik, Sunil Dutt, and Raj Kapoor. She was also said to share a deep bond with actress Meena Kumari. However, when rumours surfaced accusing her of being interested in Meena Kumari's wealth, Achala distanced herself. Reports also suggest she grew uncomfortable with aspects of Meena Kumari's personal life, which became a topic of gossip, prompting her to end the friendship. Years later, during the shoot of a Yash Chopra film, Achala met Clifford Douglas Peters, a foreigner who had lost his wife. The two bonded over shared loneliness and eventually got married. Achala moved to Pune, where Clifford ran a factory. Later, they settled in Hadapsar. Sadly, Clifford passed away a few years into their marriage, once again leaving Achala alone. One of last notable appearances was as Kajol's grandmother in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. But behind the scenes, Achala was growing increasingly frustrated with the film industry. Despite her punctuality, she often had to wait long hours for lead actors to arrive. Tired of the lack of professionalism and respect, she made the decision to quit acting. As her health declined, Achala took a final step toward securing her future. She donated her flat to the Janseva Foundation, with the condition that they care for her until her last breath. In 2011, she suffered a fall in her kitchen, fracturing her leg and sustaining head trauma. A CT scan revealed multiple blood clots in her brain. She was left paralyzed and blind. On April 30, 2012, just days before her 92nd birthday, Achala Sachdev passed away. Despite her decades-long contribution to Indian cinema, not a single film industry personality attended her last rites. Only her son flew in from the US to bid her farewell, accompanied by around 40 people, including a few relatives and friends. Amitabh Bachchan and Ekta Kapoor paid tribute to her publicly, but beyond that, her departure was met with an unsettling silence from the industry she had devoted her life to.
