Veteran actor and mimicry artist Aasha Singh Jaiswal known for her imitation of Meena Kumari and her performance across films and tv serials like BR Chopra’s Mahabharat (1988), passed away in Mumbai on Saturday (August 22). She was 66.
Her son Akkash Bharadwaj confirmed the news of her demise via social media. Her last rites were performed on August 23 morning at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Vile Parle West.
Akkash wrote a long, heartfelt tribute for his mother on Instagram. Describing her as an “Iron Lady”, he urged her fans to keep her legacy alive by revisiting her work. “Woh ek karmath Loh-Mahila (Iron Lady) thi. Aap sabhi unki aatma ki sadgati evam shanti ke liye prarthna karen. Aur unke kaam ko social media par zarur dekhen aur yaad rakhen taaki unki aatma jahan bhi hon prasanchitt ho ki aap unka kaam ab bhi dekh aur yaad kar rahen hain (She was a workaholic ‘Iron Lady’. Please pray for the peace and salvation of her soul. Do make sure to watch and remember her work on social media, so that wherever her soul may be, she feels happy knowing that you are still seeing and remembering her contributions).”
“Kyunki unke jeevan me unka karm hee sabkuch tha jo tumhe unki mrityu ke baad Bramhaanand me moksh pradan karein issi aasha ke saath yeh sandesh main prasarit kar raha hun... Mrityu ka dukh nahin aanand Bramhaanand yehi unka sandesh (Because in her life, her deeds meant everything to her. With the hope that this will grant you liberation in ultimate divine bliss after their passing, I am sharing this message... Not the sorrow of death, but ultimate divine bliss—this is her message),” he added.
Jaiswal’s career spanned decades and mediums. Television audiences will remember her as Kripi, the sister of Kripacharya, in BR Chopra’s mythological series Mahabharat. She also appeared in films including Baazigar, Bobby Jasoos, Deewangee, Aag, Kayda Kanoon, Aansu Bane Angaarey and Ghar Bazar.
She was also one of the first Indian women to do mimicry. She earned appreciation for her impressions of celebrated personalities, especially legendary actress Meena Kumari, and brought the art to audiences through live performances.
Apart from the cine life, she also founded Aasha Events and Films and remained associated with social work throughout her life.
