Reema Lagoo was the ideal mum: Juhi Chawla

Reema Lagoo was in several Sooraj Barjatya films, including Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun and Hum Saath-Saath Hain

It was really shocking and very sad to hear that Reemaji is no more. We did many movies together including Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1989), Pratibandh (1990), Naajayaz (1995), Deewana Mastana (1997). We interacted in some of them, while in others, we didn’t even have scenes together. But my most vivid memories of working with her are from Yes Boss (1997). She played Shah Rukh’s mother in the film and we had many scenes together.

Juhi Chawla says she met Reema Lagoo a few weeks ago at an awards function at Raj Bhavan. (HT File Photo)

She was a lovely person, who was very sweet, a wonderful actor and so beautiful. I personally thought she was so pretty, with her light eyes and lovely features. I always loved watching her in Sooraj Barjatya films -be it Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Hum Aapke Hain Koun..! (1994), Hum Saath-Saath Hain (1999), or Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003). I can’t imagine another Barjatya film without her as she was the ideal mum and his films will be incomplete without her. I will miss her a lot, especially her presence on-screen as well.

I met her a few weeks ago at an awards function at Raj Bhavan. We sat together and chatted about many things including social work and charity. When I mentioned that I was doing social work with children, she showed interest in doing so herself. She wanted to help underprivileged kids.