Subhash K Jha turns the spotlight on Vidya Sinha, who shone briefly, especially in the cinema of Basu Chatterjee, died a very unhappy woman. Her marriage turned out to be living nightmare.
When she finally separated from her husband she told this writer, “Isn’t it for the best? Why suffer endlessly? I have daughter to take care of. She is my life. I will now devote myself to looking after her.”
Vidya also revealed that she continued working on television to support her daughter. “My best innings was in the 1970s. I was very lucky to do film after film with a director like the great Basu Chatterjee. I don’t know what he saw in me. But he signed me for Rajnigandha and then Chotisi Baat. Both were big hits with popular songs. I also did Tumhare Liye with Basuda which was not a success. But I loved working in the film. It was on the theme of reincarnation.”
Eventually Vidya’s career did not pan out as planned. But she had no regrets. “I was at the top for some years doing the best banners and films. I worked with the best directors including Gulzar Saab in Meera and Kitaab. I then switched to television, where I did successful serials like Kavyanjali, Qubool Hai, and Ishq Ka Rang Safed. B R Chopra’a Pati Pani Aur Woh was my biggest success. It is remembered to this day. I enjoyed the success while it lasted.”
In 2009, Vidya had filed a police complaint against her second husband Netaji Bhimrao Salunkhe, accusing him of torture and extortion. She finally won a long court battle in 2011 for maintenance.
“It is not an easy life for me. But I have no complaints. I am happy with whatever God has given me. Even now I am recognized in public although my stardom in films ended long ago,” Vidya had signed off.
