Veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram, famed for her memorable performances in classics like Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje, Do Aankhen Barah Haath and Navrang, passed away on 4 October 2025 at the age of 94 due to age-related ailments. She lived her final years at Rajkamal Studios in Mumbai and was the third wife and frequent collaborator of filmmaker V. Shantaram. Tributes poured in from the film fraternity and public figures following her death.
Early career and breakthrough
Sandhya Shantaram entry into films was notable for how quickly she became associated with technically ambitious, music-and-dance-driven cinema. Early roles in films produced and directed by V. Shantaram—such as Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955) and Amar Bhoopali—showcased her bharatanatyam-informed movements and stage confidence. Critics and contemporaries praised her ability to perform complex choreography on camera while conveying character and emotion.
Her performance in Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957) further cemented her reputation. Internationally, filmmakers and critics took notice: Jean-Luc Godard famously commended the film at the Berlin Film Festival, calling attention to the film’s performances and visual sensibilities—an accolade that indirectly spotlighted Sandhya’s contribution.
Signature films and performances
- Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje — a dance-centric classic where Sandhya’s training and screen presence were central to the film’s aesthetic.
- Do Aankhen Barah Haath — a socially conscious film remembered for its humanism; Sandhya’s role added depth to the ensemble.
- Navrang — notable for visually inventive sequences in which Sandhya sometimes took on unconventional performative choices.
These films illustrate how Sandhya Shantaram career was inseparable from a filmmaking style that emphasized choreography, color, and composition—traits that made her performances both cinematic and theatrical.
Personal life and lasting legacy
Sandhya Shantaram remained professionally aligned with V. Shantaram throughout her acting career, a partnership that shaped her filmography and public image. She preferred the studio environment and continued to live at Rajkamal Studios in Mumbai during her later years. Her close circle included family members and film colleagues who handled her final rites at Vaikunth Dham in Shivaji Park, Dadar.
Her legacy lives on in the way contemporary filmmakers and dancers study the choreography-to-camera techniques used in her films. Students of classical dance and film history still cite her performances as textbook examples of integrating traditional movement with cinematic storytelling.
Key facts
- Date of death: 4 October 2025.
- Age at death: 94.
- Place: Rajkamal Studios / Mumbai residence; last rites held at Vaikunth Dham, Shivaji Park.
- Reported cause: Age-related ailments; she had been unwell for several years.
- Sandhya Shantaram never widely collaborated with directors other than V. Shantaram—most of her notable screen work was produced or directed by him, which means her filmography is uniquely entwined with one auteur’s vision. This close creative partnership both defined her career and preserved a cohesive artistic legacy.
Also Read: Dr Umair becomes Pakistan 1st member of International Emmy Awards Academy
Tributes and reactions
The news of Sandhya Shantaram passing prompted condolences from government figures, film personalities and cultural commentators, with many emphasizing her contribution to dance on film and the preservation of a certain classical aesthetic in mainstream cinema. Maharashtra’s cultural and film community acknowledged her as a link to India’s mid-20th century cinematic experimentation.
Join WhatsApp Channel For more Updates: PK Entertainment
Final thoughts
Sandhya Shantaram leaves behind an elegant, focused body of work that continues to be studied for its choreography, composition and emotive restraint. For viewers and students of film, her performances remain a vivid reminder of a time when dance and cinema were fused to create poetic visual storytelling. Her passing marks the end of an era—but the images and music she helped create will endure on screen.
Join The Discussion