Bollywood actress Padma Khanna’s best Bhojpuri films

Padma Khanna is an actress, dancer, and director, who appeared mainly in Hindi and Bhojpuri films. She was reportedly introduced to the Hindi film industry on the recommendation of actresses, Padmini and Vyjayanthimala. She gained recognition for her role in ‘Saudagar’, with Amitabh Bachchan. Since then, there has been no stopping her. We take a look at some of her best Bhojpuri films.

‘Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo’, directed by Kundan Kumar is known as the origin of Bhojpuri film industry. The movie based on widow remarriage stars Kumkum, Padma Khanna, Ashim Kumar and Nazir Hussain. The songs in the film were sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammad Rafi. It had music by Chitragupta and was penned by Shailendra. It released on 22 February 1963 at Veena cinema, Patna.

Actress Padma Khanna played Chhoti Malki in ‘Bidesiya’. Directed by S.N.Tripathi and produced by Bachubhai Shah, it released in 1963. Along with the Padma, other popular actors like Helen, Kumara Naaz, Sujit Kumar, Jeevan, and Sheelkumar also played pivotal roles in the film.

‘Balam Pardesia’, a Bhojpuri film starring Padma Khanna and Rakesh Pandey in lead roles was directed by Nazir Hussain and hit cinemas in 1979. The songs ‘Gorki Ptarki Re’ and ‘Chadhte Phalgun’ sung by Mohammed Rafi was popular even among non-Bhojpuri audiences.

‘Mai’ is a Bhojpuri drama which was directed by Rajkumar Sharma and released in 1989. The film stars Narayan Bhandari, Sheela David, Padma Khanna, Vijay Khare, Pankaj Sharma, Hari Shukla and Sharda Sinha. Over the years, Padma went on to played Queen Kaikeyi in Ramanand Sagar’s ‘Ramayan’ in the 1980s. In 2004, she also directed a Bhojpuri film ‘Nahir Hutal Jaya’. And enticed the audience with her dance moves in films like 'Loafer', 'Jaan-E-Bahaar', and 'Pakeezah'.