Sandhya Shantaram

Sandhya Shantaram (née Vijaya Deshmukh; 20 September 1931 – 4 October 2025), known mononymously as Sandhya, was an Indian actress who starred in Hindi and Marathi films during the 1950s and 1960s.

She was born in Kochi (also known as Cochin) in Kerala, India, into a family with deep roots in theatre, as her father worked as a backstage theatre professional.

She is best known for her appearances in various Hindi and Marathi films directed by her husband, the legendary filmmaker V. Shantaram.

Full Name	Sandhya Shantaram
Other Name(s)	Vijaya Deshmukh
Occupation	Actress
Date of Birth	20-September-1931 (94 years)
Birth Location	Kochi, Kerala, India
Gender	Female
Nationality	Indian
Religion	Hindu
Zodiac Sign	Libra
Death Time	04-October-2025
Death Location	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Height	158 cm
Weight	58 kg
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Black
Hobbies	Travelling, Dancing, Reading

She was discovered by V. Shantaram in 1951 when he was casting for the Marathi film Amar Bhoopali, thanks to the striking resemblance of her voice with that of Jayashree, Shantaram's second wife. She marked her debut with Amar Bhoopali in 1951, playing the role of a vocalist.

Throughout her entire career, she worked exclusively with V. Shantaram, completing 11 films. She became his third wife and lasting muse, marrying him at the age of 18 when he was 55 years old. Notably, she was not a trained dancer and underwent special training with co-star Gopi Krishna for the film Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.

Her most notable films include Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), which won the Best Feature Film honor at the National Film Awards; Do Aankhen Barah Haath (1957); Navrang (1959); the Marathi film Pinjra (1972); and Amar Bhoopali (1951). Her other films include Parchhain, Teen Batti Char Raasta, Stree, Sehra Angara, Ladki Sahyadri Ki, Jal Bin Machhli Nritya Bin Bijli, and Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jali.

At her peak, she defined the golden era of Indian cinema and was widely recognized for her iconic roles and performances. She spent her final days at Rajkamal Studios, where V. Shantaram had his production house. Sandhya Shantaram passed away on 4 October 2025 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India, at the age of 94 due to age-related ailments.

Her last rites were conducted at the Shivaji Park Crematorium and were attended by her close family, friends, and admirers. In 2009, she made a special appearance at a V. Shantaram tribute event. She was popularly known simply as "Sandhya" throughout her career.

Photo Gallery