Sandhya, born Vijaya Deshmukh on September 27, 1938, in Kochi, hailed from a family deeply rooted in theater. Seeking better opportunities, she moved to Mumbai with her sister, Vatsala Deshmukh. Her cinematic journey began when she responded to an advertisement for a Marathi film by renowned filmmaker V. Shantaram. During her audition, Shantaram was captivated by her unique voice, reminiscent of his second wife, the famous actress Jayashree. This film marked the birth of her screen name, Sandhya.
In her debut, she played the role of Gunavati in the musical “Amar Bhoopali,” which gained critical acclaim and was nominated for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 1952 Cannes Film Festival.
Despite not being a trained classical dancer at the start of her career, Sandhya dedicated months to training with the renowned dancer Gopi Krishna for the 1955 color film “Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje.” Her performance as Neela, showcasing the Shiva Tandava, was a testament to her hard work. The film won a National Award in 1955.
She gained international recognition for her role as Champa, a toy seller, in the acclaimed film “Do Aankhen Barah Haath” (1957). This film was so impactful that it received the Silver Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival and the Samuel Goldwyn Award from the Hollywood Foreign Press.
Her performance in the song “Saiyaan Jhoothon Ka Bada Sartaj Nikla,” where she balanced a basket on her head while playing the Ravanhatha, highlighted her multitasking talents.
Sandhya’s passion for cinema extended beyond dance. In the 1961 film “Stree,” she acted alongside real lions, training with lion handlers to understand their behavior and performed dangerous scenes without a body double.
At nearly 40, she took on the challenging and bold role of a Tamasha dancer named Chandrakala, whose actions lead to the downfall of an idealistic schoolmaster. This film brought unprecedented respect to Maharashtra’s traditional Lavani folk dance, with the song “Mala Lagali Kunachi Uchaki” transforming the cultural landscape. For this performance, she received the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Marathi). She won the same award again in 1975 for “Chandanachi Choli Ang Ang Jali.”
Sandhya married V. Shantaram on December 22, 1956, and turned down offers from major directors like Mehboob Khan to dedicate her career to Shantaram’s vision.
After retiring from acting in the late 1970s, she withdrew from public life. Her rare appearance at the 50th anniversary of “Navrang” in 2009 was notable. In her final years, she lived a secluded life at Rajkamal Studio. Sandhya passed away on October 4, 2025, due to age-related illnesses, and was laid to rest at the Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar.