Zohra Sehgal roles: Famous films she was a part of

At a time when Bollywood actresses gather dust in just a few years of screen time, there lived a fun loving Zohra Sehgal who at the age of 102 passed away with a wonderful life and fulfilled career as both an actress and a dancer. After she passed away on July 10, 2014 at the age of 102, we remember the Padma Vibhushan Zohra Sehgal who breathed her last in a hospital in Delhi. Let's refresh your memories and take you through a few iconic films and roles that Zohra Sehgal was a part of.

Dil Se- Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta, 'Dil Se' is a Mani Ratnam film that was released in the year 1998. The grand old lady Zohra Sehgal was also a part of this film based on terrorism that is set against the backdrop of politics and military. Zohra played the role of a grandmother in the film. Not just that, Zohra also shook a leg along with the bubbly Preity Zinta to the beats of A R Rahman's 'Jiya Jale'.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam- Now who can forget Zohra Sehgal as Aishwarya Rai's fun loving granny in this Sanjay Leela Bhansali film? Her image as the heavily tattooed grand mom is etched in our minds. One particular scene in the film where the lovebirds Sameer and Nandini i.e. Salman Khan and Aishwarya Rai are romancing and get caught by their naughty dadi, Zohra Sehgal goes down memory lane especially now after her sad demise. Although her part in the film wasn't long with respect to that of other characters but her ramblings in Gujarati and her mannerisms in the film cannot be forgotten.

Dillagi- Playing a grandmother was like second skin to Zohra Sehgal and obviously so considering her age factor. But the tiny actress flourished and had something new to offer in every role she did. Zohra played a grandmother to actor brothers Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol in their family drama 'Dillagi'. Zohra plays the doting grand mom to both Sunny and Bobby. One particular scene where Sunny Deol picks up Zohra Sehgal in his arms and takes her all the way to a temple to make her meet Urmila Matondkar is something we remember at the top of our mind.

Bend It Like Beckham- We loved it when a Punjabi girl in London learned how to 'Bend It Like Beckham' in Gurinder Chadha's remarkable film. While we clearly remember the Punjabi household with the Beckham crazy Parminder Nagra as Jesminder 'Jess' Kaur, Keira Knightly as her friend Jules, Jess' alu gobi obsessed mother, Anupam Kher as the Sikh father and of course Jess' sister and bride-to-be Pinky! But one character we are forgetting is Zohra Sehgal as Biji! Yes, this Indian drama set in England also had India's iconic Zohra Sehgal playing Biji. Don't believe us, check that film CD and find it out for yourself.

Veer-Zaara- The iconic Yash Chopra romance between lovers Shah Rukh Khan as Veer and Preity Zinta as Zaara, torn by the India Pakistan divide was actually because of Zohra Sehgal! Zohra Sehgal plays Preity Zinta's Bebe who dies in the first few minutes of the film. To fulfill her governess Bebe's wish to immerse her ashes in India; the feisty and independent Zaara heads off to India from Pakistan. Zaara meets Veer in India and hence the romance begins! Although Zohra Sehgal's role is the film like most of her filmi outings isn't big length-wise, the actress manages to strike a chord with the audiences even in that short span of time.

Cheeni Kum- We can't complain of not seeing enough of Zohra Sehgal on the silver screen when we talk about R Balki directed 'Cheeni Kum'. Other than Zohra, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan who plays her son, Tabu and Paresh Rawal. Amitabh Bachchan plays a 64 year old restaurant owner in London who lives with his 85 year old mother. The film has some humourous scenes wherein the 85 year old Zohra Sehgal is seen scolding her 64 year old son. She plays a woman who is full of life and very supportive when her son falls in love with a 34 year old Tabu. She encourages Big B to go to the gym every now and then and is a treat to watch in this film.

The Mistress of Spices- After acting alongside Aishwarya Rai in the successful 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam', Zohra Sehgal was also seen teaching her daughter Aishwarya Rai all about spices in Gurinder Chadha's 'Mistress of Spices'. Ash plays Tilo in the film who was initiated as one of the several young Mistresses of Spices by Zohra Sehgal in the film, who warns the girls about certain rules they must follow, or face dire consequences. They are instructed never to leave their respective stores all around the world, physically touch the skin of the people they meet, or use the great and incomprehensible strength and power of the Spices to their own ends.

Saawariya- Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic outing with the then two debutantes Ranbir Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor in 2007 also had Zohra Sehgal in it. Zohra plays Lilian, Ranbir Kapoor's landlady in the film. She agrees to let Raj i.e. Ranbir Kapoor stay in her house as he reminds her on her son who left her many years ago and never returned. 'Saawariya' is the last film that Zohra Sehgal acted in. The grand old lady last appeared in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film that sadly wasn't successful at the box office.