The Indian theatre, film and television world on Thursday morning woke up to the news of the untimely demise of veteran actress Reema Lagoo, one of Bollywood's favourite on-screen mothers. The industry's love for her talent and her warm-hearted nature was evident in the outpouring of tributes over social media and during her last rites.
Reema died following a cardiac arrest early on Thursday morning, a family source said. She was 59 and breathed her last at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, in Andheri west, where she was rushed shortly after midnight.
Divorced from her husband and actor Vivek Lagoo, she is survived by her daughter, Mrunmayee Lagoo, 35, who is a film and stage actress and theatre director.
Remembering #ReemaLagoo, an icon no longer with us. pic.twitter.com/xKakMg5yla
— Google India (@GoogleIndia) May 18, 2017
Her family members and colleagues from Hindi and Marathi film, stage and television industries turned up to bid a tearful adieu to Reema at her funeral in Oshiwara.
Daughter Mrunmayee accompanied by her husband Vinay Vayakul lit the funeral pyre amidst chanting of Vedic hymns. Many prominent film personalities like Rishi Kapoor, Kajol, Tanvi Azmi, Shreyas Talpade, Rakesh Bedi, Raza Murad, Anang Desai, Sulabha Arya, Sachin Pilgaonkar, Mahesh Kothare, Sonali Kulkarni, Vijay Gokhale, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sunil Barve, Ramesh Bhatkar and Ashoke Pandit, looked on in grief.
RIP. Worked in quite a few films. Reema Lagoo. Good friend. Heartfelt condolences pic.twitter.com/GItoweLzsR
— Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) May 18, 2017
Before the last rites, actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao, besides filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, visited Reema's house.
Aamir said on an emotional note: "We are all in shock. She had no problems that we knew of. It happened suddenly and is saddening. My first film was with Reema ji -- 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'. She was a fabulous actor and her heart was so clean. She was also very socially conscious. We only pray that she rests in peace."
#ReemaLagoo passes away in Mumbai.
— Bollywood Now (@BollywoodNow) May 18, 2017
Full details here...
#RIPReemaLagoo pic.twitter.com/xBBifofOl5
Reema was in action till Wednesday night on the set of TV show "Naamkaran", in which she played antagonist Dayawanti.
"Reema ji wanted to leave early from the set yesterday due to a throat infection. She used to come in to the set at 9 a.m. everyday, but she had said she would come in a little late today (Thursday) around 11 a.m. because she wanted to get herself checked," a source from the show's unit told IANS.
RIP #ReemaLagoo such a loss to art and cinema. You are and will always be our favourite screen mom. My condolences to the family. 🙏🏼
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) May 18, 2017
Too sudden, too soon -- that's how her colleagues, juniors and associates received the news of Reema's death.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Congress President Sonia Gandhi, among other politicians, paid tribute to her. Modi described her as a versatile actor who left a big impact in the film and TV world, while Sonia Gandhi called her a "household name who portrayed an array of heart-warming characters on screen".
Celebrities like Amitabh Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Mahesh Bhatt, Akshay Kumar, Karan Johar, Renuka Shahane, Ashutosh Gowariker, Rishi Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Dia Mirza penned heartfelt social media posts in remembrance of the warm, radiant and versatile actress.
.@aamir_khan saddened by the sudden demise of #ReemaLagoo pic.twitter.com/CWGf7qou3D
— BombayTimes (@bombaytimes) May 18, 2017
Noted for her roles in Hindi movies like "Rangeela", "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!", "Aashiqui", "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Hum Saath Saath Hain", "Vastaav", "Saajan", "Kal Ho Na Ho", Reema became synonymous as Bollywood's quintessional 'Maa' -- a middle-aged, modern, but understanding mother. She played on-screen mother to actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Kajol and more.
This is truly sad news...she was warm, gracious and an exceptional actor...I had the privilege of directing her....#RIPReemaLagoo
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) May 18, 2017
Starting her career as Baby Nayan Bhadbhade, a charming schoolgirl in Pune, Reema soon graduated to larger roles on Marathi stage and films, then television and Hindi-Marathi films, besides doing a 10-year long stint with the Union Bank of India banks from 1979.
Recalled former colleague Vishwas Utagi: "She worked in the Fort branch of Union Bank of India for nearly a decade and simultaneously pursued her passion for acting."
"She was a prominent representative of the UBI in various inter-bank cultural events and bagged many individual and group prizes," Utagi told IANS.
Our sweet @KajolAtUN present at #ReemaLagoo funeral today #RIPReemaLagoo 😔 pic.twitter.com/oE9uzwsZue
— кαʝσℓιтα (KLS) (@KajoLoverShan) May 18, 2017
At that time, she competed with other bankers like Amol Palekar (of Bank of India) and Ashok Saraf (of State Bank of India), among many others, who later went on to become legendary actors, he added.
After working in about 10 Marathi films as a child star, Baby Nayan -- who became Reema Lagoo after marriage -- later graduated to plum, bigger roles, and after getting a strong foothold in the film industry, she and husband left their banking jobs.
Carving her own niche in the film industry, she brought warmth and radiated talent. Remembering #ReemaLagoo. pic.twitter.com/wsQeApOiPf
— Dharma Productions (@DharmaMovies) May 18, 2017
On television, the actress was seen in prominent roles in "Khandaan", "Shrimaan Shrimati", "Tu Tu, Main Main," "Do Aur Do Paanch", and the ongoing serial "Naamkaran". In Marathi, she gave notable stage performances in "Ghar Tighanche Have", "Chal Aatap Lavkar", "Jhale Mokle Aakash", "To Ek Kshann", "Purush Buland" and "Vitho Rakhumai".
For Marathi showbiz, Reema was 'Reema tai'. Actress Usha Jadhav said she will be missed, while Renuka Shahane, who famously played her daughter in Hindi movie "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!", wrote a long and emotional Facebook post on Reema's inner and outer beauty.
Besides acting, Reema took keen interest in public activities, took part in several banking agitations, sat on a dharna in 2013 to successfully stop demolition of the 80-year-old Bharatmata Cinema hall in Parel, and joined a procession for the welfare of the dishoused millworkers of Mumbai a few years ago.
RIP #ReemaLagoo with our @BeingSalmanKhan 😔 pic.twitter.com/9KnNxIMRUF
— Nimrah Waheed (@nimrah_waheed) May 18, 2017
Industry Lost A Great Actress: Celebs Mourn Reema Lagoo's Death
Here is what the celebrities had to say:
Amitabh Bachchan: Just heard the shocking and unbelievable news about Reema Lagoo's passing. Such a fine talent and gone so young! Very sad!
Good Bye #ReemaLagoo. Will miss you, your infectious & warm smile, your performances, your positivity. Rest in peace beautiful lady. 🙏. pic.twitter.com/fqjClKlQFy
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPkher) May 18, 2017
Priyanka Chopra: RIP Reema Lagoo such a loss to art and cinema. You are and will always be our favourite screen mom. My condolences to the family.
Akshay Kumar: Saddened to hear about the demise of Reema Lagoo, had the opportunity to work with her... A fine actress and person. Prayers to the family.
Cldnt believe it at first. #ReemaLagoo gone too soon! You will be missed!! Strength & love to your family and friends ❤️❤️❤️
— Ileana D'Cruz (@Ileana_Official) May 18, 2017
Karan Johar: This is truly sad news...she was warm, gracious and an exceptional actor...I had the privilege of directing her...RIP Reema Lagoo.
Ashutosh Gowariker: A sad sad day for all three mediums of theatre, film and TV. Reema Lagoo ji was a wonderful person and a truly versatile actress!! Will miss you!
Just the way life is incomplete without a mother, the same way #Rajshri will remain incomplete without #ReemaLagoo. pic.twitter.com/yxclOR7RWm
— Rajshri (@rajshri) May 18, 2017
Farah Khan: So terribly sad to hear Reema Lagoo is no more.worked with her in so many songs n she was just the most loving soul..condolences to her family.
Alia Bhatt: So so sad to hear about Reema Lagoo ji! Such a phenomenal actor and a lovely warm person! I have always loved and admired her work. Shocked!!
Sidharth Malhotra: Very sad to know about Reema Lagoo ji passing away,the warmest n most loved mother on screen RIP.
#RIPReemaLagoo one of the most
— श्रुति (@shrutiyapa_) May 18, 2017
graceful mothers of bollywood.... #reemalagoo pic.twitter.com/jyO9E4QH3F
Madhur Bhandarkar: Sad to hear about Reema Lagoo. Remember working with her as an associate director in 'Rangeela'. A talented actress and a warm person. RIP.
Boman Irani: Our very dear Reema Lagoo is no more. Always kind, funny and loving. Saddened. RIP.
Ashoke Pandit: It's shocking to know about the sad demise of Reema Lagooji. Industry has lost A wonderful human being and a great actress. RIP.
Kunal Kohli: Am shocked to hear about Reemaji. RIP Reema Lagoo. One of the warmest, nicest people on and off screen. This is very shocking and sad.
Shriya Pilgaonkar: Reema Maushi passed away early this morning. A big loss. A personal loss. Known her since I was a child. RIP SaasuMaa Reema Lagoo. Miss you.
Aftab Shivdasani: Really sad news of Reema Lagoo ji being no more. Prayers for her and her loved ones.
