Veteran actress Sulochana Latkar passes away at 94

India: Veteran actress Sulochana Latkar, who has been a part of films like Shree 420, Nagin, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin and Mr and Mrs, is no moiré. She breathed her last today, June 4, at a hospital. She was 94 years old. She was hospitalised and was undergoing treatment. Sulochana died due to age related complications and prolonged illness at Shushrusha hospital in Dadar Mumbai.

Sulochana’s daughter, Kanchan, just moments before her death, had revealed that the actress was in a critical condition. She told ABP that due to shortness of breath and other age-related ailments, she was admitted to the hospital. On Saturday, June 3, her health deteriorated and she was put on a ventilator with continuous oxygen supply. Unfortunately, she lost the battle of life.

It is being said that the actress’s funeral will take place on Monday, June 5, at Dadar cremation grounds.

Her condition had worsened back in March as well. She was hospitalised and was discharged after three weeks. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde had promised to bear all the expenses of her treatment and also gave Rs 3 lakh to the hospital for immediate treatment from the Chief Minister’s fund back then.

Sulochana Latkar has been a part of 300 films, including Hindi and Marathi.She had played the mother to most Bollywood actors. Sulochana was awarded the Padma Shri Award in 199 and the prestigious Maharashtra Bhushan Award in 2009 from the Government of Maharashtra.

Sulochana Latkar made her debut in films in 1946. She was lead actress in Marathi films from 1946 to 1961 with films like Sasurvas (1946), Vahinichya Bangdya (1953), Meeth Bhakar, Sangtye Aika(1959), Laxmi Ali Ghara, Moti Manse, Jivacha Sakha, Pativrata, Sukhache Sobti, Bhaubheej, Akashganga and Dhakti Jau.

She was often paired opposite Nazir Hussain, Trilok Kapoor and Ashok Kumar throughout her career in Hindi films. She quoted in an interview that she loved playing mother to three actors – Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand and Rajesh Khanna. She often played mother or as close relative in Hindi films with Sunil Dutt as the leading man such as in Heera,  Jhoola,  EkPhool CharKante,  Sujatha,  Mehrbaan (1967),  Chirag, Bhai Bahen (1969), Reshma Aur Shera, Umar Qaid, Muqabla, Jaani Dushman and Badle Ki Aag.

She was a regular in films with Dev Anand in the lead roles, where either Dev Anand was her son or relative and some of their films together were Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Pyar Mohabbat,  Duniya (1968),  Jhonny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant and Joshila. Since 1969, she often played an on-screen close relative to the character played by Rajesh Khanna and some of their famous films included Dil Daulat Duniya, Bahraon Ke Sapne, Doli, Kati Patang, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Prem Nagar, Aakraman, Bhola Bhala, Tyaag, Aashiq Hoon Baharaon Ka and Adhikar (1986). Her other best known films include Nai Roshni (1967), Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Aaye Milan Ki Bela, Ab Dilli Dur Nahin, Majboor, Gora Aur Kala, Devar, Bandini, Kahani Kismat Ki, Talaash (1969) and Azaad (1978).