Reema Lagoo (born Nayan Bhadbhade; 21 June 1958 – 18 May 2017) was an Indian theatre and screen actress known for her work in Hindi and Marathi cinema. She began her acting career in the Marathi theatre, after which she became a household name for playing motherly roles in the 1990s and early 2000s. She gained widespread attention after her roles in the 90s classic TV sitcoms Shriman Shrimati (as Kokila Kulkarni) and Tu Tu Main Main (as Devaki Verma).
Career
Lagoo's career as an actor began as a child, influenced by her mother, who was a Marathi stage and film actress. She appeared in five films including Masterji, directed by Durga Khote. Her senior career continued in Marathi stage after a long gap following work as a child artiste. It began with her coming to Mumbai and appearing in P. L. Deshpande's play, an adaptation of My Fair Lady. However, she received wider recognition with roles in television serials, Hindi and Marathi films. She debuted in films in 1979 with the Marathi film Sinhasan.
Hindi films She went on to play supporting roles with some of the biggest names in the Hindi film industry, mostly as the mother of the lead characters. She first rose to prominence with the Hindi film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) where she played Juhi Chawla's mother. She was seen in a controversial role in Aruna Raje's Rihaee (1988). She then starred in the blockbuster film Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) as Salman Khan's mother and then in Saajan (1991), also a superhit success at the box office. She starred in action drama and crime thriller Gumrah (1993) as Sridevi's mother, Jai Kishen (1994) as Akshay Kumar's mother and Rangeela (1995) as Urmila Matondkar's mother. Her Gumrah (1993) was seventh-highest grosser of the year at the box office, Jai Kishen (1994) was a commercial success (declared 'semihit'). Rangeela (1995) was highest grosser of the year at the box office.
Most prominently, she has starred in some of the biggest hits in the Bollywood industry including the Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Yeh Dillagi (1994), Dilwale (1994), Rangeela (1995), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999) Vaastav: The Reality (1999) In this role that earned her a fourth Filmfare Award nomination for best supporting actress, Lagoo played the mother of a gangster played by Sanjay Dutt. She has been credited in the media as a coming of a "new-age mother" in Hindi cinema.
Though mostly playing a middle-aged mother in films, she has also played other roles earlier in her career. She played the role of a dancer in Aakrosh (1980) and a cold-hearted businesswoman in Yeh Dillagi (1994).
Marathi films Lagoo also had a notable presence in Marathi cinema. She was awarded the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2002 film Reshamgaath. Her role in Janma (2011), which she referred to as "one of the best roles in her career", received praise. Recognising her contribution to Marathi cinema, she was awarded the V Shantaram Award by the Government of Maharashtra.
Television Lagoo also had a fairly successful career as a television actor in both Hindi and Marathi languages. She debuted on television in 1985 with the Hindi series Khandaan. Her roles in Shriman Shrimati as Kokila Kulkarni and as Devaki Verma starring opposite Supriya Pilgaonkar in Tu Tu Main Main were her most successful shows, with the latter winning her the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role.
Lagoo has appeared on the Marathi show Maanacha Muzra, which honours Marathi personalities.
Personal life Reema Lagoo was born on 21 June 1958 as Nayan Bhadbhade. Her mother was Marathi stage actress Mandakini Bhadbhade famed for the drama Lekure udand Jaahalee. Lagoo's acting abilities were noted when she was a student at the Huzurpaga HHCP High School in Pune. She took to acting professionally after completing her secondary education. Starting 1979, she was employed with Union Bank of India for ten years in Bombay (now Mumbai), when, alongside appearances in television and films, she participated in the inter-bank cultural events.
She met Vivek Lagoo (1953—2025), her future colleague in the bank and stage actor, in 1976 and married him in 1978. Upon marriage, she adopted the name Reema Lagoo. Described by Vivek as "an understanding to restructure our lives", they separated later. The couple's daughter Mrunmayee Lagoo is also an actress and theatre director.
Death Lagoo had been shooting for the television series Naamkarann till 7 p.m. (IST) on 17 May 2017. After she complained of chest pain later that night, she was taken to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai at 1 a.m. (IST). She died at 3:15 a.m. (IST) from cardiac arrest. At the time of death, she was described as being "perfectly fine" and having "no health issues". Her funeral was performed by her daughter Mrunmayee in Oshiwara crematorium, in Mumbai.
Filmography
Films +List of films and roles Year Title Role Language Notes1963Ha Maza Marg EkalaNayanMarathiChild artist 1964 Masterji 1979 Sinhasan Kamal Dabhade Javayachi JaatSujata's friend1980DarodekhorSita Aakrosh Lavani Dancer Hindi Kalyug KiranHindi1981Nanad BhavjayNanadMarathiAre Sansar SansarHausa Desai 1983 Chatpati Chatpati's friend Hindi 1985 Nasoor Manjula Mohite Hindi 1986Mazhe Ghar Mazha SansarSindhutai SaneMarathi1987AntarpatKunda 1988 Hamara Khandaan Dr. Julie Hindi Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak Kamla Singh Rihaee Teekhibai 1989 Maine Pyar Kiya Kaushalya Choudhary Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1990 Police Public ServantHindi 1990 Aashiqui Mrs. Vikram Roy Hindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1990 Pratibandh Judge Hindi 1990 Teri Talash Mein Hindi 1991 Balidaan Sharda V. Gyanoba Marathi 1991 Ramwati Laxmi Arjun SinghHindi 1991 Henna Chandni's mother Hindi 1991 Baharon Ke Manzil ReemaHindi 1991 Saajan Kamala Verma Hindi 1991 Pyar Bhara Dil Sudha Sunderlal Hindi 1991 Patthar Ke Phool Meera Verma Hindi 1991 First Love Letter Shyam's mother Hindi 1991 Aag Laga Do Sawan Ko Hindi Chaukat RajaSchool DirectorMarathiCameo appearance 1992 Sapne Sajan Ke Deepak's MotherHindi 1992 Prem Deewane Sumitra Singh Hindi 1992 Jiwalagaa Resham's MotherHindi 1992 Jeena Marna Tere Sang Dr. Lakshmi Khurana HindiGuest appearance 1992 Shola Aur Shabnam Sharda Thapa Hindi 1992 Vansh Rukmani K. Dharmadhikari Hindi 1992 Qaid Mein Hai Bulbul Guddo Choudhry Hindi 1992 Do Hanso Ka Joda Radha Hindi 1992 Nishchaiy Yashoda Gujral Hindi 1992 Parda Hai Parda Andrew's mother Hindi 1992 Sapne Sajan Ke Deepak's mother Hindi 1992 Prem Deewane Sumitra Singh Hindi 1992 Jiwalagaa Resham's Mother Marathi Aapli MansaJanaki 1993 Shreemaan Aashique Suman Mehra Hindi 1993 Sangram Mrs. RanaHindi 1993 Mahakaal Anita's Mother Hindi 1993 Aaj Kie Aurat Shanta Patil Hindi 1993 Gumrah Sharda Chadha Hindi 1993 Dil Hai Betaab Raja's mother Hindi 1993 Pyaar Ka Tarana ReemaHindi 1994Zamane Se Kya DarnaShalini 'Shalu' SinghHindi 1994 Yeh Dillagi Mrs.Shanti Saigal Hindi 1994 Dilwale Arun's mother Hindi 1994 Pathreela Raasta Kamla Hindi 1994 Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! Mrs. Madhukala Choudhury Hindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1994 Vijaypath Mrs. Saxena Hindi 1994 Kanoon Pankaj 's wife Hindi 1995 Jai Vikraanta Sharda Singh Hindi 1995 Naajayaz Mili's mother Hindi 1995 Rangeela Naina Bakshi Hindi 1995 Taqdeerwala Suraj's mother Hindi 1996 Apne Dam Par Mrs. SaxenaHindi 1996 Vijeta Mrs. Laxmi Prasad Hindi 1996 Papa Kehte Hai Dadi Hindi 1996 Prem Granth Parvati Hindi 1996 Maahir Asha Hindi 1996 Dil Tera Diwana Kumar's wife Hindi 1997 Uff! Yeh Mohabbat Raja's Mother Hindi 1997 Rui Ka Bojh Bahu Hindi1997Dil Kitna Nadan HaiNeelam KhuranaHindi 1997 Judwaa Prem Malhotra's mother Hindi 1997 Yes Boss Rahul Joshi's mother Hindi 1997 Betaabi Sameer's mother Hindi 1997 Deewana Mastana Bunnu's mother Hindi 1997 Suraj Gayatri Hindi 1998 Tirchhi Topiwale Sumitra Oberoi Hindi 1998 Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha Shekhar's sister-in-law Hindi 1998 Mere Do Anmol Ratan Suman Hindi 1998 Deewana Hoon Pagal Nahi Sharada Hindi 1998 Aunty No. 1 Vijayalaxmi Hindi 1998 Kuch Kuch Hota Hai Anjali's mother Hindi 1998 Jhooth Bole Kauwa Kaate Savitri Abhyankar Hindi 1999 Hum Saath-Saath Hain Mamta Hindi 1999 Bindhaast Aasawari Patwardhan Marathi 1999 Aarzoo Parvati Hindi 1999 Vaastav: The Reality Shanta HindiNominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress 1999 Dillagi Shalini's MotherHindi 2000 Nidaan Suhasini Nadkarni Hindi 2000 Deewane Vishal's MotherHindi 2000 Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain LaxmiHindi 2000 Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye Mrs. SharmaHindi 2001 Hum Deewane Pyar Ke Mrs. ChatterjeeHindi 2001 Censor Mother in the filmHindiCameo appearance 2001 Indian Mrs. Suryapratap SinghHindi 2001 Tera Mera Saath Rahen Janki Gupta Hindi 2002 Hathyar Shanta Hindi 2002 Reshamgaath Anna Smith Hindi Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress 2003 Kavtya Mahakaal UnnamedHindiCameo appearance 2003 Pran Jaye Par Shaan Na Jaye ReemaHindi 2003 Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon Prem Kumar's motherHindi 2003 Chupke Se Laxmi Timghure Hindi 2003 Kal Ho Naa Ho Namrata Mathur Hindi 2004 AK-47 Rudra's Mother Hindi 2004 Hatya Mrs. R. Lal Hindi 2005 Navra Maza Navsacha Politician Marathi Special appearance 2005 Koi Mere Dil Mein Hai Mrs. Vikram Malhotra Hindi 2005 Hum Tum Aur Mom MomHindi 2005 Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar Ayaan's MotherHindi 2005 Sandwich MRS. Singh, Shekhar's mother Hindi 2005 Divorce: Not Between Husband and Wife Judge Hindi 2006 Aai Shappath Devki Desai Marathi2006 Shubh Mangal Savdhan Komal Mulgaonkar Marathi 2007 Deha Piloo Hindi 2007 Savalee Ramabai Shirodkar Marathi 2008 Humne Jeena Seekh Liya Mrs. JoshiHindi 2008 Superstar Kusum P. Saxena Hindi 2008 Mehbooba Queen Mother (Ma'sa) Hindi 2008 Kidnap Sonia's grandmother Hindi 2009 Me Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy Jijabai Marathi 2009 Agnidivya Nandini's Mother Marathi 2009 Aamras Indumati Marathi 2009 Gho Mala Asala Hawa Dagdubai Marathi 2010 Mittal v/s Mittal Mitali's mother Hindi 2011 Janma Vandhana Sarpotdar Hindi 2011 Mumbai Cutting Hindi 2011 Trapped in Tradition: Rivaaz Ranjeet Singh's wife Hindi 2011 Dhoosar Marathi 2012 Om Allah Aushim's MotherHindi 2012 498A: The Wedding Gift Sudha Patel Hindi2013 Mahabharat Gandhari HindiVoice Role Animated Film 2013 Anumati Ambu Marathi 2013 Yeda Sadhana Narvekar Marathi 2014 Ungli Nikhil's mother Hindi 2015 Main Hoon Rajinikanth Herself Hindi 2015 I Love NY Tikku Verma's adopted mother Hindi Cameo appearance 2015 Katyar Kaljat Ghusali Katyar Marathi voice-over 2016 Jaundya Na Balasaheb Aaisaheb Marathi 2017 Deva Shalini Marathi 2018Home Sweet HomeHome-Minster Marathi
Television +List of television shows and roles Year Title Role Notes Ref. 1985 Khandaan 1988 Mahanagar 1993 Kirdaar 1994 Aasmaan Se Aagay 1994–1999 Shrimaan Shrimati Kokila Kulkarni 1994–2000 Tu Tu Main Main Devaki Verma / Madam X Saas ki duplicate Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role 1997–1999 Do Aur Do Paanch Radha 1999 Waqt Ki Raftar 2002–2003 Dhadkan Prajakta Marathe 2006 Kadvee Khattee Meethi Yashoda Verma 2009 Do Hanson Ka Joda Snehlata 2012 Lakhon Mein Ek 2013 Tuza Maza Jamena Reema Limaye 2016–2017 Naamkarann Dayavanti Mehta Final appearance 2026Yeh Prem Mol LiyaPosthumous Appearance
References
External links