Zohra Sehgal Death Anniversary: Remembering the 'unstoppable force'

Zohra Sehgal an iconic figure in the world of theatre and film had an illustrious career spanning over seven decades Known for her agelessness and timeless charm she continues to inspire generations even after her passing at the age of 102 in 2014 On her 9th death anniversary we remember the legendary actress and her legacy on the contemporary Indian artsZohra Sehgal received numerous accolades throughout her life She was honored with the title of Laadli of the Century by the United Nations Population Fund UNPFLaadli Media Awards Her fans and wellwishers often referred to her as a tireless performer recognizing her unwavering dedication to her craftThe documentary Zohra Sehgal An Interview 2012 featuring an extensive interview with the actress and old family photos beautifully captures her 70year professional journey It showcases how she remained spirited and full of life defying the limitations of ageOn her 100th birthday Zohra Sehgals first official biography titled Zohra Sehgal Fatty and written by her daughter Kiran Segal was released shedding light on the remarkable life and career of this extraordinary womanZohra Sehgal born on April 27 1912 in Saharanpur United Provinces chose a career in dance over marriage after graduating from Lahores Queen Mary College She began her journey in showbiz by joining Uday Shankars dance troupe in 1935 She later taught dance in Almora and met her husband painter and dancer Kameshwar Sehgal Subsequently she ventured into dramatics with the Prithvi Theatre in 1945 working with them for 14 years and becoming associated with the Indian Peoples Theatre Association IPTAZohra Sehgals foray into films was equally fascinating Regarded as a doyenne of Indian theatre she appeared in over 20 films throughout her career Notably she worked with four generations of the illustrious Kapoor family from Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor Rishi Kapoor and finally Ranbir Kapoor with whom she shared the screen in her last movie Saawariya coincidentally marking his debutHer association with Prithvi Theatres had a profound impact on her life and she credited Prithviraj Kapoor for shaping her artistic journey Zohra Sehgals memorable appearances in films such as Bhaji on the Beach 1992 Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam Bend It Like Beckham 2002 Dil Se 1998 and Cheeni Kum 2007 earned her widespread acclaimZohra Sehgal was among the first Indians to experience international recognition In the mid1960s she starred in an adaptation of Rudyard Kiplings The Rescue of Pluffles and later hosted episodes of the television series Padosi While in London she featured in James Ivorys film The Courtesans of Bombay in 1982 marking the beginning of her international career She went on to appear in TV series such as The Jewel in the Crown My Beautiful Launderette Tandoori Nights and Never Say DieIn the 1990s Zohra Sehgal returned to India at the age of around 80 Despite her age she continued to pursue her passion for acting refusing to retire from the entertainment industry Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who directed her in Hum Dil and Saawariya described her as an unstoppable force To call her a livewire is an understatement he saidIn addition to her film and television work Zohra Sehgal featured in the popular series Amma and Family and secured roles in major Bollywood productions Her love for acting was unmatched and she rarely turned down any role even if it wasnt remarkable In an interview with IBN Live she had once stated that acting and her family were the only things she enjoyed emphasizing her dedication to her craftZohra Sehgals remarkable contributions to the arts were recognized with several prestigious awards She received the Padma Shri in 1998 followed by the Kalidas Samman in 2001 and the Sangeet Natak Akademi in 2004 In 2010 she was bestowed with the Padma Vibhushan one of Indias highest civilian honorsTowards the end of her life Zohra Sehgal faced agerelated health issues She requested a groundfloor government accommodation under the artiste quota from the union culture ministry and the urban development ministry when she was 101 years old but her request was deniedZohra Sehgals extraordinary journey and her indomitable spirit serve as an inspiration for generations to come Her legacy as an actress and a remarkable individual continues to shine brightly in the hearts of people worldwide