Sayeeda Khan

Radiant, free-spirited, dimple-faced and a charming personality, Sayeeda Khan was known for her kind and nurturing soul even after facing lots of hardships in her foundational years and, a difficult marriage in the later stages. 

Born on October 24, 1944 into a Punjabi family in Bombay, Sayeeda Khan is the daughter of Anwari Begum, who is known to have acted in few films during her lifetime however, nothing much is known about her filmic career. Sayeeda was educated in a residential school at Deolali near Nashik. However, as fate would have it, she had to leave her school to join her ailing mother in Calcutta. After leaving Bombay, she never got the opportunity to get a formal education however, she got herself professionally trained in Kathak.

During one of the visits to her parent’s place in Calcutta, Anjana Rawail, a writer and wife to the producer H S Rawail, who was then planning to make Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961), spotted Sayeeda Khan and was mesmerised by her active presence. H S Rawail ended up casting her in Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961) which is considered to be one of the first film Sayeeda signed as a starring role. She was barely 16 years old when she, along with her mother and brother, came back to Bombay. Although, Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961) is the first picture she signed up for, it was Apna Haath Jagannath (1960) for which she faced camera for the first time on Stage No. 2 at Mohan Studios. In this film, she starred opposite Kishore Kumar, along with Nasir Hussain. Directed by Mohan Segal, this drama film revolved around the character Madan who, after finishing college, struggles to get a well-paying job. Much to the dismay of his family and his future in-laws, he takes up a menial job doing laundry. After his father throws him out of the house, Madan leaves for Mumbai. His fiancée Indumati, played by Sayeeda,who promised to accompany him, doesn't show up due to pressure from her father. Indumati’scharacter is portrayed as the helpless woman caught between the love of Madan and the wrath of her father. The film is about Madan's struggles and journey to become a successful businessman.

In 1961, H S Rawail’s Kaanch Ki Gudiya was released in which she starred opposite Manoj Kumar. It was Manoj Kumar’s first film as a lead hero. The story revolved around a luckless girl, Shukla, who is young, innocent, delicate, and destitute in a big city. She received help from a wealthy lady, Angurbala. After the death of her mother, Angurbala provides her withshelter and comfort however, things are not what they seem, and Shukla is brought face to face with a harsh reality. Upon realising that she has been sold off as a commodity to a local brothel, Shukla loses all hope however, Manoj Kumar’s character Raju comes as a saviour and rescues Shukla from her suffering in this expansive melodrama.

Sayeeda was active in Hindi films in the 1960s in lead as well as supporting roles, and is known for films such as Honeymoon (1960), Wanted (1961), Modern Girl (1961), Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai (1966), Kanyadaan (1968), and Vaasna (1968). Other films she starred in includes the L Rasthana directorial Hum Matwale Naujawan (1961) starring opposite Shekhar, Flat No. 9 (1961) directed by Romesh Sharma which also starred Ashok Kumar and Helen, and the comedy Main Shadi Karne Chala (1962) directed by Roop K Shorey.

The film Honeymoon, directed by Lekhraj Bhakri, saw her star opposite Manoj Kumar, along with Vijaya Choudhary. The film revolved around two girls who are best friends and opposites of each other—one being bold and the other, timid. After a series of incidents, including their respective weddings, realisation dawns that not modernity alone but love is essential for a happy married life. 

The romance film Modern Girl saw her cast opposite Pradeep Kumar. It was directed by R Bhattacharya. Nisar Ahmad Ansari’s Wanted (1961)  saw her star opposite Vijay Kumar. Ek Saal Pehle (1965) saw her star opposite Sujit Kumar in this Dharam Kumar directed family drama with shades of mystery. Bekhabar (1965) was also directed by Nanabhai Bhatt, and saw her star alongside Dara Singh Randhawa and Sailesh Kumar. 

Along with this, she gradually started working in genres other than the mainstreamed social and family dramas. She began appearing in adventure, fantasy, and films which shared its association with folk oriental narratives. Char Dervesh (1964) directed by Homi Wadia saw her star alongside Feroz Khan. The film was an adventure fantasy, and revolved around Qamar, who is in love with princess Nargis Banu. It follows his adventures as he attempts to rescue the princess' sister Hamida.

Sayeeda Khan had at least four releases in the year 1965. Her film Sindbad Alibaba and Aladdin (1965) was directed by Prem Narayan Arora. She played Princess Jasmine in the film, the cast of which included Agha, Helen and Master Bhagwan. She essayed a character named Salma in the Mohammed Hussain-directed Main Hoon Aladdin (1965). The film had a cast comprising Ajit Khan, David, and others.

Apart  from this, she started accepting supporting roles in the social dramas once she realized her stardom is beginning to fade away. She played a character named Olga in Yeh ZindagiKitni Haseen Hai (1966). Directed by R K Nayyar, she played the supporting character of Olga in this romantic thriller which starred Saira Banu, Joy Mukherjee and Ashok Kumar. The action crime drama Vaasna (1968) saw her again play a supporting character named Saloni amidst a cast that featured Raaj Kumar, Padmini, and Biswajeet. Directed by T Prakash Rao, the film told the tale of a businessman who faces financial and then criminal troubles after taking to alcohol. Kanyadaan (1968), a social romantic drama directed by Mohan Segal, featured her alongside Asha Parekh, and Shashi Kapoor. The subject of the film revolved around child marriage. It depicted the story of Rekha and Amar, who are married off as children. They grow up to fall in love with different people and are ultimately not accepting of the marriage performed in childhood.

In the concluding stages of her career, she starred alongside Sujit Kumar, and Sohrab Modi in the thriller film Murder on Highway (1970).

In the middle of her film career, Sayeeda Khan met Brij Sadanah, a successful producer-director of 60s and 70s cinema, at various film sets. Brij was enchanted by Sayeeda’s countenance and ended up falling in love with her. Around the time when Brij was churning out back to back hits, Sayeeda took the decision of marrying him and settling down to start her own family. Post-marriage, Sayeeda Khan adopted a new name that went by, Sudha Sadanah.

Sayeeda had a son, Kamal Sadanah, and a daughter, Namrata Sadanah, out of her marriage with Brij. Sayeeda and Brij suffered few altercations during their marriage which left a lasting impact on both of them. As suggested by their son Kamal Sadanah that even after experiencing upheaval in their marriage, he still have vivid memories of the good old days and fun times with the family. 

Sayeeda had a tragic fate written for her. Sayeeda Khan and her daughter were shot dead by Brij Sadanah, reportedly under the influence of alcohol, on 21 October 1990 – their  son’s birthday. He had also shot at their son, Kamal Sadanah. The bullet aimed at him grazed his neck. Fortunately, he survived the attack. Brij Sadanah then shot himself dead.

Through anecdotes shared by her close associates, it can be concurred that even after having suffered tremendously throughout her life, she did not give up on her kindness and modesty. She is known to have always welcomed anyone coming up to her with her bright-faced, dimpled smile.