Babuji Dheere Chalna actress Shakila dies at 82

Shaikla, who worked with Guru Dutt and Dev Anand, died Wednesday morning following a massive heart attack

Yesteryear star Shakila passed away in Mumbai on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack. She was 82.

Often described as ‘fairy queen of Indian movies’, she appeared in famous songs such as Babuji Dheere Chalna, Neend Na Mujhko Aaye and Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar. At the height of her popularity in the 50s, she appeared in films such as Wadia Movietone’s Hatim Tai (1956), Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar (1954) and CID (1956), Raj Kapoor’s Shriman Satyawadi (1960) and with Shammi Kapoor in China Town (1962).
The news of her death was revealed by actor Nasirr Khan, son of yesteryear’s comedian Johnny Walker and Shakila’s nephew. Talking to social media, he wrote, “With a heavy heart i have 2 inform u all dat my maternal aunt (my moms older sister) Shakila Aunty has passed away. She was a star in her own right in the 50’s n 60’s. Babuji dheere chalna, pyaar mein zara samhalna...Please keep her in ur prayers. May Allah grant her Jannat (sic).”
According to reports, she has not been keeping well for the past few years and rarely made a public appearance. After she suffered a heart attack on Wednesday, she was taken to a nearby hospital but could not be admitted immediately, according to a Mumbai Mirror report. She was then taken to a Juhu hospital.
Married to an NRI, she had left the industry and shifted to the UK. She returned to Mumbai where she stayed at Marine Drive for a few years. She shifted to bandra after her daughter, Meenaz, committed suicide.
She remained best friends with Waheeda Rehman, Nanda and Jabeen Jalili. She was also close to Saira Banu and Asha Parekh.