Bollywood star Nanda dies

Veteran Bollywood star Nanda has died of a heart attack aged 75, the BBC reported.

The actress passed away at her residence in Mumbai on Tuesday morning, family members told reporters.

She began her career as a child artist in the 1950s and later went on to act in a number of films as a heroine and a supporting actress, the BBC said.

Among her well known films are Jab Jab Phool Khile, Gumnaam, Teen Deviyan, The Train and Ram Laxman. She retired from acting in 1982.

Her death came as a “shock as she did not have any history of illness”, a family member told the Press Trust of India news agency.

Nanda acted with top Bollywood actors like Ashok Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Dev Anand, Waheeda Rehman, Rajesh Khanna – and Shashi Kapoor, with whom she starred in eight films.

Her other films included Ahista Ahista, Mazdoor and Prem Rog in which she played supporting roles.

Veteran actress  Asha Parekh told the Indian Express  “When I called up Nanda on Monday night I had no inkling that this would be our last conversation. She was absolutely fine, hale and hearty. We chatted for about 15 minutes, joked and laughed a lot. She said she would call me the next day and we’d make a plan to meet soon.

“The next morning, I got a call. It wasn’t Nanda but our common friend Helen who asked me, “Did you hear what happened?” I wasn’t at home. I had come out to run a few errands so I had no idea. Helen said, “Nanda has passed away.” It was a big shock. I protested and said, “But I just spoke to her last night and she was absolutely okay.” Helen told me that it was indeed true. She said, “Speak to Waheeda (Rehman) and she’ll tell you.” I immediately called up Waheeda, who confirmed the news.

“I don’t think I’m over the shock. She never had a heart problem and then to die of a massive heart attack! It’s very sad.”

Said Parekh: “Nanda was a wonderful, wonderful person. She was warm, generous and a dependable friend. I can’t even remember when we became friends. I think we met at a film function and we became friends. She was very easy to like and we connected well. Soon, we became part of a girl gang. Waheeda, Sadhana, Nanda, Shammi, Helen and I became a group.”