Yesteryear actress Babita, who shot to fame in the 60s with films like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Raaz and Farz, turns 66 today. Though, the actress only appeared in about twenty movies, her presence made a huge impact on Bollywood.
Yesteryear actress Babita, who shot to fame in the 60s with films like Haseena Maan Jayegi, Raaz and Farz, turns 66 today. Though, the actress only appeared in about twenty movies, her presence made a huge impact on Bollywood.
Let's take a pictorial journey through her life and times as she turns a year older.
Babita was born on April 20, 1948 in Mumbai to Hari Shivdasani and a Christian mother. She is a practising Christian till date and is also the niece of superhit actress Sadhana.
Babita's debut film was Dus Lakh, a comedy with an ensemble cast consisting of Om Prakash, Babita, Helen, Pran and Neetu Singh among others. The film released in 1966.
Babita's major career break came in 1967, when she acted in Raaz opposite Rajesh Khanna who had just begun his rise to superstardom. The film did average business at the box office.
The same year, Babita acted in Farz alongside Jeetendra , who played a spy working for Indian secret service. This was her first major hit and it paved way for many more films with Jeetendra including Bikhare Moti (1971), Banphool (1971) and Ek Hasina Do Deewane (1972).
She continued her success in 1968 with Manmohan Desai's Kismat opposite Biswajeet. The film's songs, including Aao Huzoor Tum Ko and Kajra Mohabbat Waala, became huge hits and are counted as classics in the world of music.
The same year she was seen in Haseena Maan Jayegi opposite Shashi Kapoor and Tumse Achha Kaun Hai opposite Shammi Kapoor.
A major hit came in 1969 with Anjaana opposite Rajendra Kumar. In 1970, she acted opposite Dharmendra in Kab Kyoon Aur Kahan? a mystery thriller. The same year she also acted with Manoj Kumar in Pehchaan.
In 1971, Babita acted in Kal Aaj Aur Kal which marked the acting debut of her future husband Randhir Kapoor. The film, directed by Randhir, also featured Prithviraj Kapoor and Raj Kapoor in prominent roles. The film was a hit and featured the superhit song AAP Yahaa Aaye Kis Liye.
Babita stopped acting after her marriage to Randhir in 1971. Her daughter Karishma was born in 1974 followed by Kareena in 1980. However her relationship with Randhir kept deteriorating and she separated from him in late 80's. The couple reportedly reconciled in 2007.
Babita may not have a large filmography to boast off but her amazing onscreen presence and the daughters she gifted to Indian cinema have ensured her a place Indian cinema's hall of fame.
We wish Babita ji a very happy birthday and a great year ahead.
