Madhu Malhotra, a character actor known for her supporting roles in Hindi films during the 1980s and 1990s, has died at the age of 72.
Though she never became a leading star, Malhotra was a familiar face in several popular Bollywood productions and earned recognition for her appearances in a number of well-known films.
One of her most memorable roles came in the 1983 action-romance Hero, directed by Subhash Ghai. In the film, she portrayed a gypsy woman featured in the iconic song Lambi Judai, sung by Reshma. The movie is also remembered for launching the careers of Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri.
Malhotra also appeared in the 1982 action-comedy Satte Pe Satta, directed by Raj N. Sippy and starring Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini. In the ensemble film, she was paired opposite actor Paintal.
She made her film debut in the horror film Andhera by the Ramsay Brothers. Her entry into mainstream Hindi cinema came with The Great Gambler (1979), directed by Shakti Samanta, where she played the sister of the character portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan.
A frequent collaborator of Subhash Ghai, Malhotra also appeared in the 1980 hit Karz alongside Rishi Kapoor, Simi Garewal and Tina Munim.
Before gaining recognition through “Lambi Judai,” she played the love interest of Prem Chopra in the romantic drama Aas Paas, which starred Dharmendra and Hema Malini.
Despite appearing in numerous films, her career largely remained centred on secondary and supporting roles. She later portrayed the sister of Anil Kapoor in the 1992 adaptation of Heer Ranjha, which featured Sridevi in the title role.
In 1993, she played Mrs Malik in King Uncle, directed by Rakesh Roshan and starring Shah Rukh Khan, Jackie Shroff and Nagma. She also appeared in Ghulam, directed by Vikram Bhatt and headlined by Aamir Khan and Rani Mukerji.
Her final screen appearance came in the 2000 film Woh Bewafa Thi, directed by Mohan Bhakri, which featured Sudesh Berry among its cast.
