Bollywood filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi, best known for powerful women-oriented films, died of kidney cancer on September 23. Lajmi, who was bedridden for the past few months, passed away at Mumbai’s Kokilaben hospital. She was 64.
A film director, producer and screenwriter, Lajmi is the daughter of painter Lalita Lajmi. Veteran Bollywood filmmaker Guru Dutt is her uncle. Her foray into films began in the 1970s when she started assisting filmmaker Shyam Benegal. From there, she went on to make many critically-acclaimed films in Hindi cinema.
Most of her films dealt with powerful social issues, especially those related to women. While Ek Pal (1986), a film on extra-marital affair talked about sexual desire in women, Rudaali (1993) showcased the story of professional women mourners in rural Rajasthan. Darmiyaan (1997), a story said to be way ahead of its time was based on the life of a eunuch. Daman (2001) told the story of a housewife who was a victim of domestic abuse.
After her death was announced, many from the film fraternity took to Twitter pay their tribute:
Deeply saddened… at around 4:30 am today morning #KalpanaLajmi passed away .. May she rest in peace.
— Huma Qureshi (@humasqureshi) September 23, 2018
RIP #KalpanaLajmi . My first exposure to a film shooting was while working as a song director and editor in Daman . Remember many evenings of food and music in her residence along with Bhupen Da. Learned a lot while working with her . pic.twitter.com/DMHI39yxWu
— Onir (@IamOnir) September 23, 2018
You will be missed Kalpanaji.Was not your time to go..but may your heart now be at peace. . Those days while shooting Daman will be a treasured memory. #KalpanaLajmi Om Shanti. pic.twitter.com/mtteS4nAlZ
— Raveena Tandon (@TandonRaveena) September 23, 2018
Very very sad to hear that #KalpanaLajmi who made such beautiful films as #Rudaali has passed away. May God give her peace.
— Adil hussain (@_AdilHussain) September 23, 2018
