Bollywood, where many aspire to rule the silver screen with their performances, has often seen names that have lost themselves in the struggle to reach the heights of success. Countless people have tried their luck, but only a select few have attained what can truly be called stardom.
Once such person, Sayeeda Khan, later known as Sudha, entered films at the age of 11, hoping to build a career in cinema. Born in Kolkata to dancer Anwari Begum, she was noticed at a film party by director H. S. Rawail, who offered her a lead role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961) opposite Manoj Kumar. She also acted alongside Kishore Kumar in Apna Haath Jagannath. Despite her early promise, offers slowed down, forcing her to take up supporting parts and eventually roles in B-grade films.
Complicated family life
Sayeeda’s personal life was marked by complexities. Screenwriter Shagufta Rafique, who grew up in her household, recalled years later in a chat with Filmfar that many around her believed she was actually Sayeeda’s biological daughter but was raised by Anwari Begum to protect her reputation. Shagufta said that producer Brij Sadanah, whom Sayeeda married, never accepted her fully and often questioned her identity. His frustrations, along with professional struggles, worsened with time.
Sayeeda and Brij had two children, Kamal and Namrata. On October 21, 1990, while preparing for Kamal’s 20th birthday, tragedy struck. Brij, in a drunken rage, opened fire on his family. He killed Sayeeda and Namrata, shot at Kamal, and then turned the gun on himself. Kamal survived despite a bullet passing through his neck. Kamal later recalled to Siddharth Kannan in an interview that he had carried his mother and sister to the hospital, unaware that he had also been injured. By the time he regained consciousness after surgery, his family was gone.
Early career and Decline
Sayeeda Khan had been passionate about acting since childhood. She was mentored by filmmaker H. S. Rawail and gained recognition with roles in Apna Haath Jagannath and Kaanch Ki Gudiya. During the 1960s, she worked opposite prominent actors such as Manoj Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Raaj Kumar, and Biswajit Chatterjee. However, as her films failed commercially, she was soon relegated to B-grade and C-grade productions.
By the late 1960s, Sayeeda’s career had largely faded, though she earned some praise for her supporting roles in Kanyadaan and Vaasna. Following her marriage to Brij Sadanah, she stepped away from acting and later contributed as a producer to a few of her husband’s projects in the 1980s.
Legacy through family
Her son Kamal Sadanah went on to act in films during the early 1990s and later directed and produced projects. In 2013, he made a short film titled A Moment of Pause, revisiting the traumatic night that changed his life.
Once such person, Sayeeda Khan, later known as Sudha, entered films at the age of 11, hoping to build a career in cinema. Born in Kolkata to dancer Anwari Begum, she was noticed at a film party by director H. S. Rawail, who offered her a lead role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961) opposite Manoj Kumar. She also acted alongside Kishore Kumar in Apna Haath Jagannath. Despite her early promise, offers slowed down, forcing her to take up supporting parts and eventually roles in B-grade films.
Complicated family life
Sayeeda’s personal life was marked by complexities. Screenwriter Shagufta Rafique, who grew up in her household, recalled years later in a chat with Filmfar that many around her believed she was actually Sayeeda’s biological daughter but was raised by Anwari Begum to protect her reputation. Shagufta said that producer Brij Sadanah, whom Sayeeda married, never accepted her fully and often questioned her identity. His frustrations, along with professional struggles, worsened with time.
Sayeeda and Brij had two children, Kamal and Namrata. On October 21, 1990, while preparing for Kamal’s 20th birthday, tragedy struck. Brij, in a drunken rage, opened fire on his family. He killed Sayeeda and Namrata, shot at Kamal, and then turned the gun on himself. Kamal survived despite a bullet passing through his neck. Kamal later recalled to Siddharth Kannan in an interview that he had carried his mother and sister to the hospital, unaware that he had also been injured. By the time he regained consciousness after surgery, his family was gone.
Early career and Decline
Sayeeda Khan had been passionate about acting since childhood. She was mentored by filmmaker H. S. Rawail and gained recognition with roles in Apna Haath Jagannath and Kaanch Ki Gudiya. During the 1960s, she worked opposite prominent actors such as Manoj Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Raaj Kumar, and Biswajit Chatterjee. However, as her films failed commercially, she was soon relegated to B-grade and C-grade productions.
By the late 1960s, Sayeeda’s career had largely faded, though she earned some praise for her supporting roles in Kanyadaan and Vaasna. Following her marriage to Brij Sadanah, she stepped away from acting and later contributed as a producer to a few of her husband’s projects in the 1980s.
Legacy through family
Her son Kamal Sadanah went on to act in films during the early 1990s and later directed and produced projects. In 2013, he made a short film titled A Moment of Pause, revisiting the traumatic night that changed his life.
You may also like
Tottenham name Champions League squad as £30m summer signing among six players left out
Lisbon 's Gloria Funicular derails leaving '3 dead' and at least 20 injured
HAM to hold national convention in Delhi tomorrow
Matthew Perry drug dealer 'Ketamine Queen' pleads guilty to selling actor fatal drug dose
I would give everything I own to see my father Freddie Mercury again
