Shashikala

Shashikala Biography

Shashikala is a popular actress of Bollywood who has been active in the industry since late 1940’s. So, in the long career of about 65 years, she has done numerous roles in vamp and supporting roles. She is one among the great legends of Bollywood who has witnessed almost all phases and changes that took place in the industry for about 7 decades. She has received Padmashree in the year 2007 for her valuable contributions to Indian cinema. In the early stage of Asha Bhosle’s career during 50’s and 60’s, she rendered her voice to Shashikala most.

Shashikala appeared in Bollywood films during late 30’s where she acted as a child artist. She was born as one of six siblings in Solapur, Maharashtra and started doing stage shows as a singer/dancer/actor at the age of just 5. While she was quite young, the family got bankrupted and hence they moved to Mumbai. They thought of getting roles for her in movies to earn a living and her bit roles during early 40’s were not enough for the family to survive. Her meeting with Noor Jehan turned out to be the turning point of her career. Noor Jehan’s husband was doing a film and he gave her a bit role in a qawwali song of his movie – Zeenat for which she received 25 rupees. Yet she struggled with bit roles. She married Om Prakash Saigal, who belonged to the Kundan Lal Saigal family.

In 1959 she appeared in Bimal Roy's Sujata. Her role was noticed and from early 60’s she began to get more roles in the movie. Junglee (1960) was one of such big breaks to Bollywood, followed by Aarti in 1962 where she played negative roles.  In 1962 and 1963, she won Filmfare awards for best supporting actress for the movies – Aarthi and Gumrah respectively. She has also received Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards for both these movies, along with Rahgir in 1970. Slowly her career reached a pace and she became a part of majority of films released during 60’s and 70’s, though in supporting roles.  

Now she appears in grandma roles in movies of which Kabhi khushi kabhi gum and Mujhse shaadi karoge need special mention. She is active in television as well.

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Updated: December 27, 2017