Reema Lagoo

Reema Lagoo (21 June 1958 – 18 May 2017) was an Indian theatre and screen actress known for her work in Hindi and Marathi cinema. She began her acting career in the Marathi theatre.

Though Lagoo started out with television serials, she was prominently recognised for her roles in both Hindi and Marathi films. She debuted in films in 1979 with the Marathi film Sinhasan.

Hindi films

She went on to play supporting roles with some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry, mostly as the mother of the lead characters. She first rose to prominence with the Hindi film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) where she played Juhi Chawla's mother. She was seen in a controversial role in Aruna Raje's Rihaee (1988). She then starred in the blockbuster film Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) as Salman Khan's mother and then in Saajan (1991), also a superhit success at the box office. She starred in action drama and crime thriller Gumrah (1993) as Sridevi's mother , Jai Kishen (1994) as Akshay Kumar's mother and Rangeela (1995) as Urmila Matondkar's mother. Her Gumrah (1993) was seventh-highest grosser of the year at the box office, Jai Kishen (1994) was a commercial success (declared 'semihit'). Rangeela (1995) was highest grosser of the year at the box office.

Most prominently, she has starred in some of the biggest hits in the Bollywood industry including the Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale (1994), Rangeela (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003). She has been credited in the media as a coming of a "new-age mother" in Hindi cinema.

Though mostly playing a middle-aged mother in films, she has also played other roles earlier in her career. She played the role of a dancer in Aakrosh (1980) and a cold-hearted businesswoman in Yeh Dillagi (1994).

Marathi films

Lagoo also had a notable presence in Marathi cinema. She was awarded the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2002 film Reshamgaath. Her role in in Janma (2011), which she referred to as "one of the best roles in her career", received praise. Recognizing her contribution to Marathi cinema, she was awarded the V Shantaram Award by the government of Maharashtra.

Television

Lagoo also had a fairly successful career as a television actor in both Hindi and Marathi languages. She debuted on television in 1985 with the Hindi series Khandaan. Her roles in Shriman Shrimati as Kokila Kulkarni and as Devaki Verma starring opposite Supriya Pilgaonkar in Tu Tu Main Main won praise, with the latter winning her the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role.

Lagoo has appeared on the Marathi show Maanacha Muzra, which honours Marathi personalities..

Reema Lagoo was born on 21 June 1958 as Nayan Bhadbhade. Her mother was actress Mandakini Bhadbhade who was known for the drama Lekure udand Jaahalee on the Marathi stage. Lagoo's acting abilities were noted when she was a student at the Huzurpaga HHCP High School in Pune. She took to acting professionally after completing her secondary education.

She took the name Reema Lagoo after her marriage to Marathi actor Vivek Lagoo. The couple separated a few years later. They have a daughter, Mrunmayee, who is also a stage and film actress, and a theatre director.

Lagoo was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai at 1 a.m. (IST) on 18 May 2017 after she complained of chest pain. She died at 3:15 a.m. (IST) from cardiac arrest. At the time of death, she was described as being "perfectly fine" and having "no health issues". Her funeral was performed by her daughter at 2:45 p.m. (IST) in Oshiwara crematorium, in the city's Jogeshwari suburb.

Films

Television