Veteran actress Zohra Sehgal died in New Delhi on Thursday of cardiac arrest at the age of 102, a family member said.
A heart patient, Sehgal was admitted to the Max Hospital in south Delhi’s Saket area after being diagnosed with pneumonia on Wednesday. She died of a heart attack at 4.30pm. In 1994, she was diagnosed with cancer, but she fought it off and did not let illness or age dampen her spirit. Her cremation will take place today.
Sehgal lived with her daughter Kiran Sehgal, a renowned Odissi dancer.
A theatre veteran, Sehgal was well-versed with the Hindi film industry and is one of the few actors who worked with four generations of Bollywood’s famous Kapoor family ‑ Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor.
She is most remembered for her appearances in Bhaji on the Beach (1992), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Dil Se... (1998) and as Amitabh Bachchan’s impish mother in Cheeni Kum.
Bachchan mourned her death on Thursday.
“Zohra Sehgal passes away at 102 yrs... what a journey and what an immensely loveable co star! Prayers for her blessed soul!!” Bachchan tweeted.
Bachchan had earlier shared how he had met Sehgal as a child when she visited his hometown Allahabad.
“My family has a special relationship with Zohra Sehgal. Zohraji used to work with Prithvi Raj Kapoor in Prithvi Theatre. Prithvi Raj Kapoor had a cordial relationship with my father and whenever the Prithvi group visited Allahabad, we used to meet Zohraji,” he had said before the actress turned 100 in 2012.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi grieved too via Twitter, calling her “prolific and full of life”.
“Prolific & full of life, Zohra Sehgal made a mark through her acting, which is admired across generations. Saddened on her demise,” Modi tweeted.
Sehgal’s last big screen appearance was in Saawariya.
Among several awards, she was honoured with the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan.
