By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On Her Birth Anniversary

According to Padma Khanna, the subject of this article, the modern concept of ‘Item Number’ is actually a form of cabaret dance added to titillate the audience. Padma herself a sizzling dancers and actress ,too, hit the media limelight with Vijay Anand’s “Johny Mera Naam” (1970 ) starring Dev Anand, Hema Malini & Prem Nath who goes out of his head with lust in his eyes savouring the titillating dancer in colourful panties, leaving nothing to imagination, in the much talked about dance number ‘Husn Ke Lakhon Rang,Kaun Sa Rang Dekhoge picturised on Padma Khanna & Prem Nath.

The actress who started her career in Bhojpuri films obviously struck gold in “Johnny Mera Naam” with her erotic dance to surprise many of her contemporaries. In fact her emergence was seen as a threat to many of the existing vamps.

Padma Khanna who runs a Dance Academy in USA showed her histrionics as an actress in “Saudagar” (1973) also featuring Nutan & Amitabh Bachchan, bewitching the audience with her wiles & guiles.

Padma Khanna played Queen Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar’s epic serial ‘Ramayan’ (1987-1988). She also featured in two Telugu films with N. T. Rama Rao ‘Desoddarakulu’ (1973) and ‘Rajaputra’ (1878). Vanisiri & Jaya Prada were the heroines in these two films. ‘Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo’ (1963) & ‘Bidesiya’ (1963) were her to prominent Bhojpuri films. She also did some Punjabi films viz. ‘Jindri Yaar Di’ (1978) & ‘Sher Puttar’ (1978).

Biwi Aur Makaan (1966), Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai (1966), Baharon Ke Sapne (1967), Dastaan (1972 ) & Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972 ), Pakeezah (1972), Daag & Loafer (1973), Hera Pheri (1976), Noorie (1979) & Anubhav (1986) are some of her notable Hindi films.

Married to Jagdish Sidana ( m:1986) Padma Khanna was Born this Day in Patna, Bihar.