Reema Lagoo

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Reema Lagoo was born to theatre actress Mandakini Bhadbhade. She had early exposure to acting at a very early stage during her schooling at HHCP High School in Pune which subsequently led to her choosing acting as her profession. She started off in Marathi Theatre which was a stepping stone to her film career in Marathi and Hindi films thereafter

Reema Lagoo’s original name was Nayan Bhadbadhe which she changed to Reema Lagoo after being married to Marathi film actor Vivek Lagoo. The couple parted ways years after a few years. They have a daughter Mrunmayee Lagoo who is a Marathi director and theatre artist.

Film debut and rise to prominence ( 1981) Reema Lagoo made her Hindi film debut with Shyam Benegal’s cult ensemble drama film Kalyug with a star studded cast consisting of Shashi Kapoor, Rekha , Raj Babbar and many more. Reema was seen playing a key character in the film set again in business rivalry and plotting between two families and the character “Kiran” proved to be the ignition point which set the foundation for a long illustrious career for her in cinema. She was then roped in to play the youthful vibrant “Nautaki dancer “in Govind Nihalani’s art-house production Aakrosh starring Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri in the lead. The National Award winning critical classic too kept the box ticking high for her and made her familiar among the cinema goers. Array of major releases ( 1985- 1995) For the past three decades or more Reema Lagoo was one of the most familiar faces in the Hindi Cinema and a part of almost all the films by Sooraj Barjatya venture. the Mumbai born actress was first cast as a mother in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988 when she was very young to be a mother to Juhi Chawla in the film. Juhi Chawla was just 9 years younger to Reema but she had played the role with maturity and grace. Aamir Khan who is also a part of the film as the leading actor recalls her acting as brilliant and a woman with a heart of gold. QSQT was one of the biggest projects in her acting debut which also escalated her to greater recognition from Hindi audience. After a four year hiatus, Reema Lagoo returned to Bollywood with Om Puri’s medical drama Nasoor which had her as a part of a major plot juncture as a pregnant lady who loses her child in an operation. Reema however shifted base to more older and matured roles through Naseeruddin Shah and Hema Malini’s drama film Rihaee in 1988 which had her playing a woman who tries to woo a newly moved in man in the village like other likewise women of the village ending up with tragic turnaround of things. She was seen playing to the character and coming up with an impressive part in a pivotal role. Reema was then cast as Salman Khan’s mother in his lead hero debut through the blockbuster romantic musical film Maine Pyar Kiya and the movie triggered a string of “mother roles” for Reema Lagoo which later became her forte in Bollywood due to her amazing on screen rapport with all leading Hindi heroes. Reema then went on to be part of successful outings like Police Public, Aashiqui, Patthar Ke Phool. She was then seen in a major production in Sunil Dutt and Salman Khan starrer Saajan which featured her in a strong character. She was seen performing in her forte donning mostly mother roles in movies like Sapne Sajan Ke ,Jeena MarnaTere Sang, Salman Khan’s Nishchaiy, Rishi Kapoor’s Shreemaan Aashique , Ajay Devgn’s Sangraam which were all moderate to highly successful outings. During the year 1993 she went on to be part of many more highly successful productions like Aaj Ki Aurat where she played a Jail Warden and Sridevi mother in Mahesh Bhatts’ action film Gumrah. Career best phase ( 1994-2001) Reema Lagoo had a strong career phase in the late 90’s with more popular and challenging roles coming her way. Ajay Devgn’s romantic drama Dilwale had her playing a mother who awaits her son’s recovery from a chronic mental illness, she was seen in an important role in Salman Khan’s super hit movie Hum Aapke Hain Koun, Ram Gopal Varma’s masterpiece Rangeela, Apne Dum Par ,Vijeta were her initial releases of the phase. Her perfect portrayal of the cold hearted business women in the 1994 film Yeh Dillagi was very well received and was a major transition from her usual milieu of characters. After going on to be a part of films like Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Mere Do Anmol Ratan and more, she had a meaty role in the small offbeat production Rui Ka Bojh which had her in a heavy tempting role. She then went on to be a part of Karan Johar’s directorial debut Kuch Kuch Hota Hai along with ShahRukh Khan and Kajol in the lead. The blockbuster classic had her playing Kajol’s mother, a character doubtful of her daughter’s intentions to marry after lost love. Next up came her career best part in Sanjay Dutt’s 1999 Crime drama Vaastav: The Reality, which saw her playing the strong woman, an intense role in which she plays his mother who has to kill her own son ; a brilliant performance in the predicament situation . This astounding performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress in the year. Ensuing releases ( 2000-2015) Deewane, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Indian Hathyar Chupke Se Kal Ho Naa Ho Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai Sandwich Mehbooba Kidnap Mumbai Cutting Main Hoon Rajinikanth Katyar Kaljat Ghusali.