Vidya Sinha, the unconventional beauty who ruled Bollywood in the ’70s with hit films like Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si BBaat (1975), and Pati Patni Aur Woh (1977), bid adieu at the ripe age of 71. She was battling heart and lung disorders. With her demise, the film industry lost a gem of an actress who proved that even married actresses can make a difference in Bollywood if they are talented!
A married actress becoming a heroine in Bollywood is beyond imagination, but kudos to Vidya Sinha, who started her career in Bollywood after marriage. Interestingly, when Vidya Sinha made her debut in Bollywood, the film industry was studded with glamorous actresses like Zeenat Aman, Parveen Babi, Hema Malini, Rekha, Rakhee, etc. Amidst such beauties, to make a presence and sustain stardom was not an easy task!
A Trailblazing Career: Vidya Sinha Rise to Fame
Nevertheless, Vidya Sinha was confident of her talent and took a plunge into Bollywood with filmmaker Basu Chatterjee’s low-budget experimental film Rajnigandha (1974). Readers would be surprised to know initially Basu Chatterjee had decided to cast Sharmila Tagore, but she was busy. Hence, Basu Chatterjee switched to Bengali actress Aparna Sen and even approached Mallika SSarabhai, but finally, he selected Vidya Sinha after watching her in one of her advertisements.
The success of Rajnigandha (1974) followed a series of hit films like Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Pati Patni Aur Woh (1977), Swayamvar (1980), Pyaara Dushman (1980), and Love Story (1981). But soon Vidya Sinha took retirement, which she later regretted. In an interview, she said, “I took a break at the peak of my career. I should not have done that. But the birth of my daughter was more precious than my film career.”
From Modeling to Movies: Vidya Sinha’s Journey
In a remarkable career spanning over a decade, Vidya Sinha established herself as a pioneering heroine, bringing a fresh, relatable image to the screen. Born in a family of filmmakers, Vidya’s father, Rana Pratap Singh, produced two hit films, like Vidya and Jeet. Both had the hit romantic pair, both Dev Anand and Suraiya. Her grandfather, Mohan Sinha, wass also a producer and director.Hence,e Vidya‘s inclination to glamour was evident. When shebecamed an adult, her aunt insisted she participate in the Miss Bombay Beauty Contest. Despite her hesitation, she filled out the form and, to her pleasant surprise, won the contest. The contest opened doors to modeling, and she started doing modeling. Her first modeling assignment was Goldspot (a famous soft drink of the ’70s). Her assignments include Colgate, Khatau Fabrics, and Lipton tea.
Vidya Sinha fell in love with her neighbor, a Tamilian Brahmin named Vernkateshwaran Iyer and tied the nuptial knot at the young age of 19 years! After spotting Vidya Sinha in her modeling work, Basu Chatterjee approached her for a role. Despite her in-laws’ disapproval, Vidya asserted herself, threatening to walk out of the house if they didn’t give her permission to act.
The Girl Next Door: Vidya Sinha’s Lasting Legacy
Working with the showman of the film industry Raj Kapoor, was the pride of any actor, but kudos to Vidya Sinha—she dared to say ‘No’ to Raj Kapoor! Few are aware that Raj KKapoor, who had a good relationship with Vidya Sinha’s father, film producer Rana Pratap Singh, had approached him and asked to persuade Vidya to do the lead role of Radha in his film Satyam Shivam Sundaram, butt Vidya Sinha declined the role as she was uncomfortable wearing the revealing outfits that Zeenat Aman wore.
She was also signed by filmmaker Nasir Hussain in a film opposite thespian Dilip Kumar, butt lady luck ditched her as the film got shelved. Nevertheless, Vidya Sinha was happy as she got the opportunity to work with good actors like Sanjeev Kumar (Pati Patni Aur Woh), Uttam Kumar (Kitaab), Rajesh Khanna (Karm), Shashi Kapoor (Mukti), and Vinod Khanna (Inkaar). Recently she worked with Salman Khan (Bodyguard).
Vidya Sinha returned to acting in 2000 and did TV serials like Bahu Rani (2000), Hum Do Hain Na, Bhabhi,d Kavyanjali (2004), Haar Jeet (2011), and Qubool Hai (2016).
Indian Film History pays humble tribute to Vidya Sinha and concludes with befitting lines on her famous song
Na jaane kyon, hota hai yeh zindagi ke saath
achanak, ye man
kisi ke jaane ke baad, kare phir usiki yaad
chhoti chhoti si baat, na jaane kyon
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