She was the quintessential onscreen mother and an actress par excellence in the Indian film industry. Understandably, Reema Lagoo’s demise has left a gaping hole in the industry. The actress breathed her last on May 18 at a hospital in Mumbai, following cardiac arrest. Her son-in-law Vinay Waikul confirmed the same to us. "Around 1 am she started feeling distressed so we took her to the hospital. But she suffered cardiac arrest and breathed her last at 3.15 am in the hospital," he informed. A great actor who shuttled between TV, stage and films, Reema is survived by daughter Mrunmayee.
The actress was last seen onscreen in the Marathi film 'Jaundya Na Balasaheb' as actor
Girish Kulkarni’s mother. She had recently finished shooting for actor-writer Hrishikesh Kulkarni’s directorial and was supposed to dub for the same in the next couple of days.
She was vulnerable from within: Amol Palekar I knew Reema from the time when she was Nayan Bhadbhade when she arrived on Marathi theatre horizon as a young artiste. And I have seen her grow in her career from very close quarters. I signed her for my film Dhoosar, to play an Alzheimer’s patient. On the first day of the shoot at Goa beach, she was happily joking along with me when I told her to have her small dose of tobacco only when the shot was over. But as soon as the camera rolled, she turned into a vulnerable woman and all you wanted to do was just hug her and protect her. The best thing about her was she retained her inner vulnerability and brought it out at the right time.
Essentially a simple soul: Dilip Prabhavalkar She did a splendid job in all the mediums, including TV, films, and commercial ads, but Reema was first a theatre actor. I knew her ever since I came to Mumbai. When it would get late after work, sometimes I would stay at her place. And she wouldn’t let me go home without having breakfast the next day. I was fortunate enough to work with her in two plays and we did hundreds of shows together. I was amazed by the fact that she remained a simple soul, untouched by starry airs.
A true nurturer: Amruta Khanvilkar
I did Amol Palekar’s film Dhoosar with Reema ji when I was almost a newbie. But it was heartening to see her taking a keen interest in my career and guiding me on marketing strategy. There are many people out there who wouldn’t help the juniors so easily. So we always stayed in touch and whenever we bumped into each other, she would always ask - ‘so you are signing the right kind of films na?’ I was so touched by that gesture.
I will cherish the time spent with her: Girish Kulkarni Her exit is so sudden that since morning, I have been in shock and unable to react. She was inspiring, courageous, beautiful and an amazing human being. She played my mother in Jaundya Na Balasaheb and behaved like one to me too. She made me write something special for her and the way she enacted it onscreen was fabulous. I will cherish all her memories forever in my heart.
I’m going to miss her terribly: Sai Tamhankar How do you express what you feel when you’ve lost someone so dear? I’ve been feeling lost and shattered ever since I heard about Reemaji’s demise. It’s just so sudden, so unfortunate. Not only will I remember her as a brilliant actress, but also as a woman who thought ahead of her time. The ease with which she faced the camera is something one rarely gets to see. It’s going to take a while for me to come to terms with her passing away. I’m going to miss her terribly.
I’m angry with her for not taking care of herself: Girish Oak I have known Reema for years and for me she was always a theatre actor who went on to become a successful star in films too. Just three days ago, she spoke to me about a creative cause that she wanted to support and I told her about a film on sex workers, which needed financial support. She told me to send her a promo. I was so caught up in my work that I forgot to send it. Now I’m blaming myself for this oversight. But I’m also very angry with her for not taking care of herself. I think with artistes working in different mediums in these stressful times, we all need to wake up to healthier lifestyle.
She reminded me of my mom: Bhagyashree A big broad smile with twinkling eyes -that's what I remember of Reemaji when I first met her. Glowing peaches and cream complexion with light eyes, she looked so similar to my own mom that I took to her instantaneously. She was a happy soul, always full of jokes and I loved talking to her. Her character in Maine Pyar Kiya was of a mom-in-law that everyone would wish for and I think it reflected in her persona too. I wish I had met her more often. But she will always be in my fondest thoughts.
We were going to meet for the dubbing of my film: Hrishikesh Joshi I had spoken to her on May 15, after she came back from a holiday. She had a sore throat so we were discussing when to go ahead with the dubbing for my directorial. She said she would do it on Friday and Saturday. But this sudden news of her demise has left all of us stunned.
I’ll miss her warmth forever: Rahul Roy Bhatt saab (Mahesh Bhatt) made sure to cast someone motherly to play my mom on screen in Aashiqui. I was a newcomer and he wanted to comfort me. And what a lovely choice he made! I sensed that Reemaji became a mother to her co-stars while enacting the part. Whenever she touched me, I felt my mother was around. Reemaji never acted while playing a mother; it came from within and that made someone like me so comfortable on screen. I’ll miss her warmth forever.
She was uber cool off camera and commanded respect: Mohnish Bahl There was no protocol ever to reach out to her. Reemaji played mother to me, Sanjay, Salman, Ajay and Aamir though there was barely an age gap of 10 years. She commanded respect and was someone you automatically want to go and greet. She was a warm person, an older friend when not a mom on screen. I remember we had a house in Versova in a building opposite hers. Very often, I’d find my wife waving out to her from our house in the morning. She was the neighbour anyone would love.
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With inputs from Rachana.Dubey@timesgroup.com & Dean.Lobo@timesgroup.com