Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Padmini Ramachandran on 20th death anniversary
Synopsis
Twenty years after her passing, Jackie Shroff's tribute to Padmini Ramachandran brings back into focus a career that spanned 250-plus films, four languages, and a celebrated dance legacy — from the 1948 debut in Kalpana to the iconic 1968 Tamil classic Thillana Mohanambal. She remains one of the most accomplished dancer-actresses in the history of Indian cinema.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Padmini Ramachandran on her 20th death anniversary on 24 September 2026 .
Padmini passed away on 24 September 2006 , aged 74 , following a heart attack.
She appeared in more than 250 films across Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian-language cinema.
She was one of the Travancore Sisters , born in Thiruvananthapuram , alongside sisters Lalitha and Ragini .
Her landmark performance was in the 1968 Tamil classic Thillana Mohanambal opposite Sivaji Ganesan .
She made her screen debut in the Hindi film Kalpana in 1948 at approximately 16 years of age .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on Thursday, 24 September 2026, paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary actress and Bharatanatyam dancer Padmini Ramachandran on the occasion of her 20th death anniversary, sharing a striking black-and-white image of the celebrated star. Padmini, who passed away on 24 September 2006 at the age of 74 following a heart attack, was one of the most versatile performers of mid-20th-century Indian cinema.
The Tribute Post
The image shared by Jackie Shroff captures Padmini in a graceful classical dance pose, accompanied by the song 'Chham Chham Ghungroo Bole' playing in the background. The song, rendered by Asha Bhosle and composed by Ravi with lyrics penned by Sahir Ludhianvi, is from the 1965 film Kaajal. Padmini's dance performance in that song remains one of the most celebrated classical-dance sequences associated with her screen career.
A Career Spanning Decades and 250 Films
Born in Thiruvananthapuram, Padmini was one of the celebrated Travancore Sisters, a trio that included her elder sister Lalitha and younger sister Ragini. All three were trained classical dancers who carved enduring niches in Indian cinema. Padmini made her debut as a dancer in the Hindi film Kalpana in 1948, when she was approximately 16 years old, and went on to appear in more than 250 films across Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and even Russian-language cinema.
Iconic Collaborations and Memorable Roles
Her Hindi filmography included titles such as Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Aashiq, Mera Naam Joker, Amardeep, Payal, Afsana, Vaasna, and Kaajal. A particularly notable chapter was her association with Raj Kapoor, opposite whom she starred in three films. She also worked with luminaries including Dev Anand, Sivaji Ganesan, M.G. Ramachandran, N.T. Rama Rao, and Prem Nazir. One of her most acclaimed performances came in the 1968 Tamil classic Thillana Mohanambal, in which she played a gifted dancer opposite Sivaji Ganesan — a role widely regarded as a high-water mark of her career.
Life Beyond the Screen
After marrying US-based physician Ramachandran in 1961 and having a son, Padmini gradually stepped back from films to focus on her family. Her connection to dance, however, never fully faded. Two decades after her passing, tributes from industry figures like Jackie Shroff signal how enduringly her artistry continues to resonate across generations of film enthusiasts.
Point of View
Yet her legacy is largely confined to archival tributes on social media. The Travancore Sisters as a collective also deserve deeper cultural reckoning — they represent a moment when classical dance and commercial cinema were not in opposition but in productive dialogue. Padmini's story, and the social-media memory that keeps it alive, points to a wider gap in how Indian film history is preserved and taught.
NationPress
24 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Padmini Ramachandran?
Padmini Ramachandran was a celebrated Indian actress and Bharatanatyam dancer who appeared in more than 250 films across Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Russian-language cinema. Born in Thiruvananthapuram, she was one of the famous Travancore Sisters alongside Lalitha and Ragini, and she passed away on 24 September 2006 at the age of 74.
Why is Jackie Shroff paying tribute to Padmini Ramachandran today?
24 September 2026 marks the 20th death anniversary of Padmini Ramachandran, who died on 24 September 2006 following a heart attack. Jackie Shroff shared a vintage black-and-white image of her in a classical dance pose to honour her enduring legacy.
What is Padmini Ramachandran best known for?
She is widely celebrated for her dance performances on screen, particularly in the 1968 Tamil classic Thillana Mohanambal opposite Sivaji Ganesan, and for the song 'Chham Chham Ghungroo Bole' from the 1965 Hindi film Kaajal. Her association with director-actor Raj Kapoor across three films is also frequently highlighted.
Who are the Travancore Sisters?
The Travancore Sisters were a trio of trained classical dancer-actresses comprising Lalitha, Padmini, and Ragini, all born in Thiruvananthapuram. They established themselves individually and collectively in mid-20th-century Indian cinema and remain iconic figures in the history of dance on the Indian screen.
When did Padmini Ramachandran begin her film career?
Padmini made her debut as a dancer in the Hindi film Kalpana in 1948, when she was approximately 16 years old. The film marked the start of a decades-long career that would see her work across multiple Indian languages and with nearly every major star of her era.
