Renowned veteran actor Sandhya Shantaram, the cherished wife of the late legendary filmmaker V Shantaram, passed away at the age of 94. Her family confirmed on Saturday (October 4) that she succumbed to age-related ailments.
Sandhya, who was V Shantaram’s third wife, frequently graced the screen as the leading lady in many of his cinematic masterpieces. Her memorable performances include roles in iconic films such as Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957), Navrang (1959), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baje (1955), and Pinjra (1972).
Mahipal and Sandhya in a captivating still from V Shantaram’s classic Hindi film “Navrang.”
Kiran Shantaram, V Shantaram’s son from his second marriage to Jayashree, shared details about her peaceful passing. “She breathed her last on Friday night at 10 PM within the familiar walls of Rajkamal Studio, her home for many years,” Kiran Shantaram informed PTI. He added that she had been battling various illnesses for the past four to five years, with recent symptoms including fever and cough.
Reflecting on her nurturing spirit, Kiran fondly recalled, “We always joked that she would live to be 100. It’s heartbreaking that she didn’t have children of her own with my father, yet she embraced me and my sisters as her own. She was incredibly kind, an amazing cook, and cherished feeding us with love.”
Her final rites were conducted on Saturday morning at the Shivaji Park crematorium.
Sandhya Shantaram was a prominent actor throughout the 1950s and 60s, leaving an indelible mark on both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Beyond her most famous works, her filmography includes other significant titles such as Sehra, Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli, and Amar Bhoopali.
Sandhya alongside V Shantaram in a memorable still from their 1961 film, ‘Stree.’ Photo courtesy of The Hindu Archives.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis extended his heartfelt condolences on Saturday, lamenting her passing as a significant loss to the cinematic world.
In a post on X, Fadnavis wrote, “The news of veteran actress Sandhya Shantaram’s passing is truly heartbreaking. Her performances in numerous Marathi films, including Pinjra and Navrang, were incredibly popular. She also left a remarkable impression on the Hindi film industry, with her role in ‘Do Aankhen Barah Haath’ being particularly acclaimed. Her acting was as powerful as her presence.”
ज्येष्ठ अभिनेत्री संध्या शांताराम यांच्या निधनाचे वृत्त अतिशय दुःखद आहे.
पिंजरा, नवरंग अशा अनेक मराठी चित्रपटांमध्ये त्यांच्या भूमिका गाजल्या. हिंदी सिनेसृष्टीही त्यांनी गाजवली. विशेषतः 'दो आंखें बारह हात' यातील त्यांची भूमिका प्रचंड गाजली होती. जितका कसदार अभिनय, तितकेच दमदार… pic.twitter.com/jCTIfTFBRf— Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) October 4, 2025
Adding to the tributes, Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar expressed his profound grief, acknowledging her demise as a tremendous loss for Indian cinema. In a post on X, Shelar conveyed deep sorrow over the passing of the esteemed actor.
भावपूर्ण श्रद्धांजली !
‘पिंजरा’ चित्रपटातील प्रसिद्ध अभिनेत्री संध्या शांताराम जी यांच्या निधनाची बातमी अत्यंत दुःखद आहे.
मराathi व हिंदी चित्रपटसृष्टीत त्यांनी आपल्या अप्रतिम अभिनय आणि नृत्यकौशल्याने प्रेक्षकांच्या मानावर एक वेगळी छाप पाडली. ‘झनक झनक पायल बाजे’, ‘दो आंखें बारह… pic.twitter.com/Gsdq5KuXP9
— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलार (@ShelarAshish) October 4, 2025
प्रसिद्ध अभिनेत्री संध्या शांताराम यांच्या पार्थिवाचे दर्शन घेतले. त्यांच्या आत्म्यास चिरशांती लाभो, हीच ईश्वर चरणी प्रार्थना. pic.twitter.com/rPQ5IdNO7b
— Adv. Ashish Shelar – ॲड. आशिष शेलar (@ShelarAshish) October 4, 2025