By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her 83rd Birth Anniversary
Padma Khanna, a bundle of pulsating sensuality , hit the limelight following her sensuously throbbing nay erotic dancing number “Husn ke lakhon rang” in “Johny Mera Naam”, making the audiences drool .The film was directed by Vijay Anand featuring Dev Anand, Hema Malini ,Pran & I. S. Johar in triple role. The film’s success can be gauged by the fact that it turned out to be the highest grossing film of the year winning applause from all quarters. The film also went on to win two Filmfare Awards . Vijay Anand won the Best Screenplay Award while I. S. Johar received Award for Best Comic performance, playing steward of an aeroplane. Asha Bhosle & Kishore Kumar both came off with flying colors singing “O Mere Raja, Khafa Na Hona, Der Se Aayi”, “Pal Bhar Ke Liye Koi Hamen Pyar Kar Le” & “Nafrat Karnewalon Ke” adding to the film’s popularity. There was no looking back for the starlet as offered started pouring in, mostly as a dancing bazooka or a seductress.
Padma Khanna was lucky in that she was offered a role in “Rampur Ka Laxman” & ” Pakeezah”( 1972). The film which catapulted the actress to recognition , however, was “Saudagar” starring Nutan & Amitabh Bachchan. It was in this film that Amitabh Bachchan came to know how Battles are fought when the opponents are Powerful and Well armoured. Thanks to an outstanding performance by Nutan playing “Maju”, as Bachchan’s former wife & a bewitching ” Phool Jaan” , played by Padma Khanna his second wife. The film was thought provoking with both the ladies holding the keys jointly. “Sajna Hai Mujhe Sajna Ke Liye” was the most popular song of the film.
Khanna also played Rani Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar’s epic serial “Ramayan”. Padma Khanna did a few Telugu and Bhojpuri films too including the first hit ‘Ganga Maiyya Tohre Piyari Chadhaibo” in 1963 starring Kumkum, Helen & Nazir Hussain. I saw the movie at Kumar cinema, Chandni chowk, adjacent to State Bank of India where my father was then Agent. She was also part of another Bhojpuri film released in the same year titled “Bidesiya”.
The year 1973 saw her many releases including Saudagar, Daag Joshila , Anhonee , Anokhi Ada , Aaj Ki Taaza Khabar , Loafer & Kashmakash . She also featured in two Punjabi films- “Jindri Yaar Di” & “Sher Puttar” (1978).
The actress left films in 1990 and moved to USA with her husband director Jagdish Sidana. Padma Khanna has been running a Dance Academy in New Jersey & his son helps her following her husband’s death.
