Bhanu Athaiya who made history as the first Indian woman to win the Oscar passed away in Mumbai today, following brain cancer related complications. She was 91. Having been born in Maharashtra’s Kolhapur on 28 April 1929, the legendary costume designer began her career as a freelance fashion illustrator for various women’s magazines in Mumbai.
She even designed clothes for Guru Dutt’s films, starting with CID (1956) and became an integral member of Guru Dutt’s team. Bhanu Athaiya later collaborated with several Indian filmmakers – Guru Dutt, Yash Chopra, BR Chopra, Raj Kapoor, Vijay Anand, Raj Khosla, Ashutosh Gowariker and international directors – Conrad Rooks and Richard Attenborough.
Having an illustrious career of 56 years and having worked in over 100 films, Bhanu Athaiya will always be remembered for her notable works in Bollywood like Shri, Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, Sangam, Guide, Waqt, Ek Duje Ke Liye, Nikaah and Lagaan.
Radhika Gupta, the daughter of Bhanu Annasaheb Rajopadhye said that Athaiya had passed away in her sleep and that she was bedridden since 2016, having suffered a paralytic stroke on the right side of the body. Her last rites were held at Chandanwadi.
