Veteran Actress Shashikala Passes Away at 88

Veteran actress Shashikala Om Prakash Saigal (Jawalkar) passed away at her residence on Sunday. Better known by her first name Shashikala, the actress was 88 years in age. However, the reason for her demise is unknown. The family is yet to release an official statement.The news was broken by writer Kiran Kotrial on her Facebook account. She paid tribute to the late actress. Indian politician and businessman Praful Patel also tweeted the news and wrote, “Deeply saddened by the demise of Veteran actress Shashikala ji. She made a noteworthy contribution to Indian Cinema by portraying several pivotal roles. My heartfelt condolences to her family members. May her soul rest in peace.” She was born in Solapur, Maharashtra. She started working at an early age to support her parents. Shashikala was a renowned television and Bollywood actress. She had worked in films like Daku, V. Shantaram’s Teen Batti Char Raasta, Bimal Roy’s Sujata, Tarachand Barjatya’s Aarti, Baadshah, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi to name a few.Apart from films, Shashikala also worked in television shows like Son Pari and Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai and a few others. She was honoured with the prestigious Padma Shri by the Indian government for her unparalleled contribution to the world of cinema and arts in 2007. She was also conferred with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award at the V. Shantaram Awards in 2009. Apart from this, Shashikala bagged two Filmfare awards for her work in Aarti and Gumrah. She was last seen in the 2005 release Padmashree Laloo Prasad Yadav, wherein she portrayed the role of a South African witness.