Nafeesa Sultan (born 27 May 1956), better known as Asha Sachdev, is an Indian former actress who worked in Hindi films during 1970s and 1980s. She acted in a few early films as a leading lady, including the spy film Agent Vinod (1977) and the thriller Woh Main Nahin, and later shifted to supporting characters. She has appeared in over 90 films in her career and is a recipient of a Filmfare award for her work in Priyatama (1978).

Sachdev starred in a few successful films including Hifazat (1973) and Ek Hi Raasta (1977). The latter featured the song "Jis Kaam Ko Dono Aye Hai", picturised on her and Jeetendra; it remains popular till date, along with the qawwali "Pal Do Pal Ka " from The Burning Train (1980).

Personal life Sachdev was born as Nafeesa Sultan on May 27, 1956. She is the daughter of actress Raziyah (who later changed her name to Ranjana) and musician Ahmed Ali Khan (Ashiq Hussain). After her parents divorced and her mother remarried, she adopted the stage name "Asha Sachdev", from the name of her stepfather. Singer Anwar is her brother and through her father's second marriage she is the half-sister of actor Arshad Warsi. Later in her life, Sachdev converted from Islam to Hinduism.

In 2018, Sachdev revealed that she was engaged to a man named Kishen Lal in her youth, but he died shortly after, in an accident. She is unmarried till date.

Career Sachdev was an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India, Pune and joined Bollywood. She began her career in a low-budget film Double Cross in 1972, wherein she played a bold and dynamic role; the film was a flop. She subsequently played the leading lady in Hifazat (1973) and was appreciated for her good performance and the songs, especially "Yeh Mastaani Dagar" and "Hamrahi Mera Pyar", which became popular. Somehow the image stuck and thereafter she was offered only supporting and bold characters. Her bare dare appearance in red hot pants in the Navin Nischol-Rekha star thriller Woh Main Nahin (1974), which was remake of Naan Avan Illai, created a storm and she was flooded with item dance offers and vamp roles.

She occasionally received offers in the leading role, as in Agent Vinod and Ek Hi Raasta (both 1977), which became hits. She won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Neetu Singh's best friend in Priyatama in 1978. In the role, she wore a simple saree and was bespectacled throughout the film. Some of her other notable films include Mama Bhanja, Lafange, Mehbooba, Satte Pe Satta, Duniya Meri Jeb Mein, The Burning Train, Judaai, Prem Rog and Eeshwar. In the late 1980s, she moved to television, acting in serials throughout the 90s.

She made a comeback to films later in the 2000s and was seen playing character roles in films like Fiza (2000), Aghaaz, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007) and Aaja Nachle (2008). In television, she worked in the early soap opera, Buniyaad (1986), and in 2008, she also appeared in the series, Jugni Chali Jalandhar on SAB TV, with actor Ranjeet.

Filmography

Films Year Film Role Notes1972 Bindiya Aur Bandook 1972 Double Cross Lily 1973 Hifazat Asha 1973 Haathi Ke Daant 1973 Kashmakash Ritu 1973 Ek Nari Do Roop 1974 Parinay 1974 Do Nambar Ke Amir 1974 Woh Main Nahin 1974 Do Chattane 1974 Vada Tera Vada 1975 Lafange Leena 1976 Mehbooba Rita Malhotra 1976 Ladki Bholi Bhali 1976 Harfan Maulaa 1977 Mama Bhanja 1977 Agent Vinod Anju Saxena 1977 Priyatama Renu 1977 Ek Hi Raasta 1977 Nana Ranger Dinguli Bengali Film1978 Anjane Mein 1978 Khoon Ka Badla Khoon 1978 Bhookh 1978 Nanna Prayaschittha Dr Aasha Kannada Film 1978 Assignment Bombay 1978 Aahuti 1979 Bebus 1980 The Burning Train Ramkali 1980 Judaai 1981 Jwala Daku Bijli 1981 Nakhuda Courtesan 1981 Pyar Ki Manzil 1981 Roohi 1981 Kanhaiyaa 1982 Satte Pe Satta Guru's girlfriend 1982 Suraag Renu Lamba1982 Begunah Qaidi 1982 Prem Rog 1982 Raakh Aur Chingari 1983 Humse Na Jeeta Koi 1983 Kanku Ni Kimat Gujrati Film1983 Pyaasi Aankhen 1984SardaarDilshad Begum1984 Ek Nai Paheli Jeet Kumari 1984 Hanste Khelte 1984 Maang Saja Do Meri 1984 Kanoon Kya Karega 1984 Kunwari Bahu 1985 Mujhe Kasam Hai 1985 3D Saamri Maria 1985 Karm Yudh 1985 Patthar 1985 Jaago 1986 Locket 1987 Jaago Hua Savera 1987 Pyar Ke Kabil 1988 Padosi Ki Biwi Asha1988 Akhri Muqabla 1988 Do Waqt Ki Roti 1989 Eeshwar Village Washerwoman 1989 Shagun 1990 Baaghi Leelabai 1990 Agneepath Chanda Bai 1991 Kohraam 1992 Deewana 1992 Ishq Khuda Hai 1993 Chandra Mukhi Kamini Rai 1995 Barsaat 1995 Kartavya Roop Sundari (Ugranarayan's wife) 1995 Oru Abhibhashakante Case Diary Malayalam Film1997 Kaun Rokega Mujhe 2000 Fiza Ulfat 2000 Aaghaaz 2000 Tune Mera Dil Le Liyaa 2002 Kabhie Tum Kabhie Hum 2003 Stumped 2006 Rafta Rafta – The Speed 2007 Jhoom Barabar Jhoom 2007 Aaja Nachle 2008 Tandoori Love English Film2010 Pankh 2010 Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon

Television Year Serial Role Channel Notes 1986-1987 Buniyaad Shanno DD National 2000 Eena Meena Deeka DD Metro

References

External links

Asha Sachdev – Memories, 1998 interview