Actress Reema Lagoo cremated; celebrities pay last respects

New Delhi: Bollywood veteran actress Reema Lagoo's cremation took place in Mumbai on Thursday afternoon in the presence of her family members as well as celebrities like Rishi Kapoor, Kajol, Tanvi Azmi, Shreyas Talpade, Rakesh Bedi, Raza Murad, Anang Desai, Sulabha Arya and Ashoke Pandit. 

Before the last rites, actor Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao, besides filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, visited Reema's house.

Aamir said on an emotional note: "We are all in shock. She had no problems that we knew of. It happened suddenly and is saddening. My first film was with Reema ji -- 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak'. She was a fabulous actor and her heart was so clean. She was also very socially conscious. We only pray that she rests in peace."

Lagoo, best known for playing the modern-day Bollywood mother in films such as "Maine Pyar Kiya", "Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!" and "Kal Ho Na Ho", passed away on Thursday after suffering a cardiac arrest at a hospital. She was 59.

Born in Mumbai, Lagoo started her career with theatre where she acted in several Marathi plays. She later took it as a full-time profession.

At the age of 30, she worked in Mansoor Khan's film "Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak", in which she played the role of Juhi Chawla's mother Kamla Singh.

From Salman Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Govinda and Madhuri Dixit, Lagoo played mother to many of the top actors of the Hindi film industry on the silver screen.

One of her most successful roles was in "Hum Aapke Hai Koun...!", where she played Anupam Kher's wife and Madhuri's mother.

Lagoo was popular for playing spirited characters on TV shows like "Shrimaan Shrimati" and "Tu Tu Main Main".

In an acting career spanning almost four decades, Lagoo appeared in several hit films like "Saajan", "Vaastav, "Kuch Kuch Hota Hai", "Hum Saath-Saath Hain", "Deewana Mastana", "Yes Boss" and "Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon".

(With inputs from agencies)