Who was Madhu Malhotra? Actress who starred in Hero, Satte Pe Satta dies at 71
Madhu Malhotra is no more as she took her last breath in Mumbai on Friday. The cause of death remains unclear. She was 71.
Veteran actress Madhu Malhotra is no more. As per multiple reports, she passed away in Mumbai on Friday, 13th March. She was 71. The Times of India and trade magazine Film Information first reported on Madhu Malhotra's death.
However, the cause of Madhu Malhotra's death remains unknown.
Going by a viral note, she was cremated at Oshiwara Crematorium after her funeral on 14th March.
Who was Madhu Malhotra
Madhu Malhotra was a known face in the film industry during the 80s and 90s. Remember filmmaker Subhash Ghai's box-office hit Hero in 1983? The film delivered several musical chartbusters like Tu Mera Jaanu Hai, Pyar Karne Wale Kabhi Darte Nahi and Ding Dong Baby Sing A Song. But, it is the iconic tunes of Lambi judaai, the heartbreak anthem by Pakistani folk singer Reshma, which remains the timeless work of Madhu Malhotra.
In the song, Malhotra starred in a colourful gypsy look as she lip-synced to the song.
Revisit the song here:
She was a part of Satte Pe Satta in 1982, as well. In the film, she starred as the girlfriend of the character Budh (played by Kanwarjit Paintal). Her performance in the song Mausam Mastana was fondly remembered by the fans.
The film also starred Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Ranjeeta Kaur, Amjad Khan in the lead with Sachin Pilgaonkar, Sudhir Luthria, Shakti Kapoor, and Kanwaljit Singh.
Madhu Malhotra's films
Reportedly, Madhu Malhotra starred in over 100 films in Bollywood across several genres. However, she has mostly starred in supporting roles and cameo appearances in song. Despite not being in the lead of several hit projects, she built a reputation with her strong performance in the industry.
Throughout her career, she frequently worked in films directed by Subhash Ghai and Anil Sharma, starring in movies like Shradhanjali (1981), Vishwanath (1978), Karz (1980) and Vidhaata (1982). She also appeared in several horror movies during the late 1980s and early 1990s, such as Khooni Murda (1989) and Roohani Taqat (1991).
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Sneha Biswas specialises in covering entertainment and pop culture, with a specialisation on Bollywood, Hollywood, OTT platforms, K-pop, K-dramas, and major developments in the US entertainment industry. She believes in telling stories that balance speed with substance, and in making entertainment journalism contextual, culturally aware, and reader-first rather than purely reactive.<br><br> With over six years of experience in digital media, Sneha currently serves as a Deputy Chief Content Producer at Live Mint. She has spent more than three and a half years with the HT Group and returned to the organisation in February 2025, joining Live Mint to uplift the entertainment section. Over the past year, she has been closely involved in entertainment coverage including breaking news, explainers, trend reporting, box office reports and analysis for the audience.<br><br> Sneha is Google News certified, having completed training focused on newsroom best practices, digital reporting, and SEO-driven content strategies. Her work reflects a strong understanding of audience behaviour, search trends, and the evolving consumption patterns of entertainment news across formats.<br><br> Prior to her current role, Sneha has worked across multiple content and editorial functions within digital newsrooms, building expertise in content planning, editing, and real-time coverage. Her professional interests lie at the intersection of entertainment, internet culture, and global pop trends.<br><br> Working for the National city team, Biswas closely follows global entertainment movements while maintaining a strong pulse on what is happening in India.
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