Rajeeta Kochhar didn’t just pop up on your screen and vanish—she left a mark, especially if you’ve ever gotten lost in Indian cinema’s wild, emotional rollercoasters. Her name might ring a bell if you’ve caught “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi” from 2019. That’s the kind of film where every character has to bring their A-game (let’s face it, Bollywood period pieces don’t play around), and Kochhar handled her role with a kind of natural grace that made her stand out even in a sea of elaborate costumes and heavy dialogue. But that’s just one stop on her journey. Go back a bit and you’ll find her in “Bhram: An Illusion” (2008), which is this psychological thriller that’s honestly kind of a trip. Not your typical popcorn flick. The movie deals in secrets, trauma, and all sorts of mind games—Kochhar’s presence added a groundedness to the whole thing. She had this knack for making you believe her characters had a whole life off-screen, a real rarity. Flip even further through the archives and there she is in “Anhonee” (1997). Different era, different vibes, but same Rajeeta—always commanding attention, whether she was the lead or supporting. Off the set, she was married to Rajesh Kochhar, and while her private life wasn’t splashed everywhere, you could feel that sense of lived experience in her work. Sadly, she passed away in Mumbai on December 23, 2022. Even though she’s gone, her performances still linger—the kind you remember when you least expect it.
