Padma Khanna

Padma Khanna Biography

Padma Khanna is a Bollywood actress, most known for her role opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Saudagar and the hit song – Sajna hai mujhe pictured on her. ‘Husn ka laakhon rang’ of Johny mera naam sung by Asha is another beautiful item song pictured on her. She is also a trained dancer also. She played the role of Queen Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar's epic series Ramayan telecasted in Doordarshan during late 1980’s. She has also done body double roles for actress Meena Kumari in Mujra dance performances for the movie - Pakeezah. She has also appeared as a dancer in the movies – Loafer and Jaan-E-Bahaar. She is married to film director Jagdish L. Sidana and currently resides in New Jersey, USA where she runs a dance academy. She has also directed a Bhojpuri film, Nahir Hutal Jaya in 2004. She is interested in returning back to film industry if given a meaty role.

Padma was born on 10 March 1949 in Banaras. She started learning Kathak from Pandit Birju Maharaj at the age of 7. Actresses Padmini and Vyjayanthimala have been instrumental in bringing Padma to film field. Khanna debuted as an actress in the 1961 Bhojpuri film Bhaiyya. She was only 12 year old then. The following year she played lead role in the first released Bhojpuri movie, Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo. In 1963 she acted in Bhojpuri movie, Bidesiya. But she was not comfortable with movies and returned back to Banaras. With the insistence of dancer Gopi Krishna, she returned once again.

She returned with village girl roles in “Saaz Aur Awaz”, “Baharon Ke Sapne”, “Aashirwad” “Rahgir” and ”Hear Ranjha”. When director Goldie approached her with an item song for the movie Johny mera naam, she accepted the challenge. The song still remembered for Padma’s dance steps. Apart from Hindi and Bhojpuri, she has also acted in Punjabi, Marathi and Gujarati movies.

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Updated: April 02, 2014