Zohra Sehgal's Google Doodle is all love and beauty. Such a perfect encapsulation of her spirit. She was one of the first Indian actors to be recognized internationally. She was considered one the finest character artistes on celluloid and an extremely popular theatre person.
Zohra Mumtaz Sehgal was an Indian actress, dancer, and choreographer. Having begun her career as a member of a contemporary dance troupe, she transitioned into acting roles beginning in the 1940s. Sehgal appeared in several British films, television shows, and Bollywood productions in a career that spanned over six decades. Sehgal's most notable films include Neecha Nagar, Afsar (1946), Bhaji on the Beach (1992), The Mystic Masseur (2001), Bend It Like Beckham (2002), Dil Se.. (1998), Saaya (2003), Saawariya and Cheeni Kum (2007); and the TV serials The Jewel in the Crown (1984), Tandoori Nights (1985–87) and Amma and Family (1996). At the age of 90, she played the central character in the 2002 film Chalo Ishq Ladaaye. Considered the doyenne of Indian theatre, she acted with the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and Prithviraj Kapoor's Prithvi Theatre for 14 years. She has also acted in English-language films such as Bend It Like Beckham. Sehgal was awarded the Padma Shri in 1998, Kalidas Samman in 2001, and in 2004, the Sangeet Natak Akademi. India's National Academy for Music, Dance and Drama presented her with its highest award, the Sangeet Natak Akademi Fellowship for lifetime achievement. She received the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, in 2010. She died in a New Delhi hospital on 10 July 2014 due to cardiac arrest.
Zohra Sehgal's stage and film career spanning seven decades is being celebrated on a day Chetan Anand's Neecha Nagar, a film in which she played a key role was released at the Cannes Film Festival in 1946. Neecha Nagar grabbed the prestigious 'Palme d'Or' at Cannes for best film. Zohra Sehgal not only acted in the film she was also the choreographer. Zohra Sehgal, is being remembered by Google in a Doodle today. The actor who was never dampened by age was Bollywood's best known dadi. She was much loved for her role as grandmother in blockbusters like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam among others.