Character actor-dancer Bela Bose of 'Jai Santoshi Ma' fame dies at 79

Bose, a trained Manipuri dancer, state-level swimmer and skilled painter, started her film career with Raj Kapoor's 1959 movie "Main Nashe Mein Hoon".

Character actor and dancer Bela Bose.

MUMBAI: Character actor and dancer Bela Bose, a familiar face in films such as "Jai Santoshi Maa", "Bandini" and "Professor", has died, her spokesperson said. She was 79.

Bose passed away after a cardiac arrest at MGM hospital in Vashi on Monday, her spokesperson said.

Her last rites were performed on Tuesday morning in the presence of family and close friends.

Bela Bose - #RestinMemories

A prolific dancer and a character actress of 60s, 70s and 80s in Hindi Cinema.. Danced to hundreds of everlasting and memorable melodies on screen and was it equally ease in Classical, Folk & Club Dances. Bela Aunty #Alvida @SukanyaVerma @Harneetsin pic.twitter.com/T49UdpuDkf

— Pavan Jha (@p1j) February 20, 2023

Bose, a trained Manipuri dancer, state-level swimmer and skilled painter, started her film career with Raj Kapoor's 1959 movie "Main Nashe Mein Hoon" and went on to act in more than 200 Hindi and regional Indian movies.

Bose appeared in dance numbers and in supporting roles in a range of films through the years.

These included "Chitralekha", "Anita", "Shikar" and "Sau Din Saas Ke".

She was married to actor and filmmaker Asis Kumar and is survived by her son and daughter.