Forgotten Actresses of Old Indian Cinema
Here are short stories of 23 actresses from old Indian films who left the spotlight. You will also find their first and last main films.
Vimi looked beautiful in her first big film Hamraaz (1967). Bad choices and personal problems ended her short career. She died young and almost forgotten.
Sulakshana Pandit was a good singer who also acted in hit films of the 1970s. Sad personal events and health issues made her leave films forever.
Priya Rajvansh worked only with director Chetan Anand. She had a special acting style. After he died, she stopped acting and faced a sad end.
Vani Ganapathy was a famous dancer who acted in a few 1970s films. Later she left films to teach classical dance full time.
Kajal Kiran started with a big hit Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) opposite Rishi Kapoor. Good roles stopped coming, so she quietly left the industry.
Zaheera became known in Gambler (1971) with Dev Anand. After some small films and British TV work, she left Indian cinema.
Ranjeeta Kaur had many romantic hits in the late 1970s and 1980s like Laila Majnu. Later she did small roles and then moved abroad.
Bhavana Bhatt started with youth films like Raja Kaka in the late 1970s. Her Bollywood career slowed, so she moved to Punjabi films.
Sonika Gill was known for bold roles in late 1980s action films. When good offers stopped, she left Hindi films.
Radhika Sarathkumar was a big star in South Indian films and did some Hindi films in the 1980s. Later she focused on South Indian TV and producing.
Anita Raj worked a lot in the 1980s with top heroes in action and family films. After marriage she took a long break and later returned to TV.
Farha Naaz was popular in the late 1980s and early 1990s for strong roles. Her open nature and personal decisions made her leave films early.
Sonam became famous with the hit song Oye Oye from Tridev (1989). She left acting at the height of her fame after marrying director Rajiv Rai.
Kitu Gidwani was praised for quiet and strong acting in art films. Later she worked in foreign projects, theatre and TV.
Sheeba Akashdeep started in the early 1990s in action films with big stars. After marriage she left acting to produce films.
Zeba Bakhtiar became famous overnight with Henna (1991). Personal reasons and other issues made her Hindi film career short.
Ayesha Jhulka was a popular face of 1990s youth films like Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar. She left acting at her peak to do business and writing.
Mayoori Kango won hearts with her sweet look and the song Ghar Se Nikalte Hi. Later she left films for a successful office career.
Pooja Batra went from Miss India to films like Virasat (1997). She moved to the USA and now does only small or independent roles.
Suman Ranganathan impressed with her looks in late 1990s hits. Later she focused more on Kannada and Tamil films.
Mumtaz started as a child artist and later became a top heroine in the late 1960s and 1970s with many hits. After marriage she left films, made one short return, and then retired to live quietly in London.
Raakhee began in Bengali films and became a strong Hindi actress in the 1970s. She played powerful roles and later mother characters. After 2003 she mostly stayed away from films and lived a private life.
Asha Parekh was called the Jubilee Girl of the 1960s because of many hit films. She was a graceful dancer and actress. In later years she did smaller roles, directed TV shows, and stepped back from regular acting.
Forgotten Actresses: Debut and Final Films
| Actress | First Movie | Last Movie |
|---|---|---|
| Vimi | Hamraaz (1967) | Krodhi (1981) |
| Sulakshana Pandit | Uljhan (1975) | Do Waqt Ki Roti (1988) |
| Priya Rajvansh | Haqeeqat (1964) | Kudrat (1981) |
| Vani Ganapathy | Pyaasi Nadi (1973) | Andhera (1975) |
| Kajal Kiran | Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977) | Aakhri Sanghursh (1997) |
| Zaheera | Gambler (1971) | Khuda Kasam (1981) |
| Ranjeeta Kaur | Laila Majnu (1976) | Zindagi Tere Naam (2012) |
| Bhavana Bhatt | Do Sholey (1977) | Naya Kadam (1984) |
| Sonika Gill | Param Dharam (1987) | Yugandhar (1993) |
| Radhika Sarathkumar | Hamare Tumhare (1979) | Lal Baadshah (1999) |
| Anita Raj | Prem Geet (1981) | Sanam Lu Laut Aao (2012) |
| Farha Naaz | Faasle (1985) | Shikhar (2005) |
| Sonam | Vijay (1988) | Insaniyat (1994) |
| Kitu Gidwani | Holi (1984) | Ok Jaanu (2017) |
| Sheeba Akashdeep | Ye Desh Hamara (1991) | Chowky (2016) |
| Zeba Bakhtiar | Henna (1991) | Jai Vikraanta (1995) |
| Ayesha Jhulka | Kurbaan (1991) | Hurry Om Hurry (2023) |
| Mayoori Kango | Naseem (1995) | Samay: When Time Strikes (2003) |
| Pooja Batra | Virasat (1997) | Squad (2021) |
| Suman Ranganathan | Fareb (1996) | Market (2003) |
| Mumtaz | Sone Ki Chidiya (1958) | Aandhiyan (1990) |
| Raakhee | Badhu Bharan (1967) | Shubho Mahurat (2003) |
| Asha Parekh | Maa (1952) | Andolan (1995) |