Bollywood actor Nanda passes away at 75

Nanda, who starred in a swing of hits in the 60s including Jab Jab Phool Khile, Gumnaam, and Hum Dono, breathed her last on Tuesday morning after suffering a heart attack. She was 75.

Nanda in Jab Jab Phool Khile

Born in 1939 in Mumbai, the actress started her career as a child artiste after her father passed away when she was just eight years old. She was the daughter of well known Marathi actor and director Vinayak D. Karnataki and niece of the legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram.

She received her first Filmfare nomination for her performance as the Best Supporting Actress category for 'Bhabhi' (1957).

She in due course took home the Black Lady in the same category for the film 'Anchal' (1960). It was though with 'Choti Behen' that Nanda became an overnight star. The song 'Bhaiya Mere Rakhee Ke Bandhan Ko Nibhana' from the film went on to become an evergreen classic hit.

Her collaborations with Shashi Kapoor were well known and the actor had eminently said that Nanda was his much loved heroine since she had agreed to work with a newcomer like him even though she was an established star.

They gave hit films such as 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' and 'Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare', among others. It was Nanda who had suggested Rajesh Khanna's name when 'The Train' (1970) was being casted. Nanda was last seen in the hit 'Prem Rog' (1983) that starred Rishi Kapoor.

The actress was prominently involved with director Manmohan Desai, even though she had never worked in a film directed by him. Unluckily, before they could get married, the director died in a tragic fall from the balcony of his flat.

Nanda did not marry for the rest of her life but described her relationship with Desai as one of the most beautiful periods of her life.

Nanda counted Waheeda Rehman (actor) among her closest friends, and the actresses had kept in constant touch even after Nanda's retirement from acting. The actress breathed her last at around 8.30 am at her Andheri home in Mumbai.