Shama Kazi (Seema Sadanah) Biography: The Inspiring Journey of Nagma and Jyothika's Mother
While actresses Nagma and Jyothika have earned fame in Indian cinema through their successful acting careers, the woman who played a pivotal role in shaping their lives is Shama Kazi, later known as Seema Sadanah. Although she has largely remained away from the public spotlight, her life reflects a unique journey through family, personal transitions, and the Indian film industry. Over the years, she has also been associated with film production and business ventures, making her an influential figure behind the scenes.
Early Life
Shama Kazi was born on 26 January 1948 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She was born into the respected Kazi family, which has been associated with India's freedom movement. Her father was Ali Kazi, while details about her mother have not been publicly documented.
She completed her graduation before beginning her family life. Despite maintaining a relatively private profile, Shama became well known because of her daughters' successful careers in Indian cinema.
Marriage and Family
Shama Kazi's personal life witnessed two important chapters.
In 1969, she married Arvind Pratapsinh Morarji, a textile businessman. The couple welcomed their daughter Nagma, who later became one of the leading actresses in Indian cinema and also entered politics. However, the marriage ended in divorce in August 1974.
Following the separation, Shama married noted film producer Chander Sadanah in March 1975. After this marriage, she adopted the name Seema Sadanah and, according to publicly available reports, embraced Hinduism.
Together, Shama and Chander Sadanah had three children:
- Jyothika – Actress
- Roshini (Radhika Sadanah) – Actress
- Suraj Sadanah – Assistant Director
The family has maintained close ties with the Indian film industry for decades.
Career
Although Shama Kazi never pursued acting herself, she worked behind the scenes as an Associate Producer. She has also served as a director in business organizations, including:
- Rainbow Entertainment Private Limited
- PRM Properties Private Limited
Her involvement in production and business reflects her contribution to the entertainment industry beyond her family's acting careers.
A Family Connected to Indian Cinema
Shama Kazi belongs to a family deeply rooted in Indian cinema.
Her daughter Nagma established herself as a successful actress in Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, and Bhojpuri films before entering politics.
Her daughter Jyothika became one of South India's most celebrated actresses. In 2006, Jyothika married leading Tamil actor Suriya, forming one of the industry's most admired couples.
The couple has two children:
- Diya Sivakumar (born 10 August 2007)
- Dev Sivakumar (born 7 June 2010)
Through this marriage, Shama also became the mother-in-law of actor Suriya.
Extended Family
The Sadanah family has long-standing connections with Bollywood. Her relatives include:
- Kamal Sadanah – Actor
- Ajay Goel – Director
- Jyotin Goel – Director
- Vineeta Goel Razdan – Actress
These relationships further strengthened the family's presence in the Indian entertainment industry.
Personal Life
Shama Kazi, now known as Seema Chandra Sadanah, has always preferred to maintain a private life despite being surrounded by celebrities. She resides in Mumbai and has remained closely connected to her children and grandchildren.
Known as a non-vegetarian by food preference, she has largely stayed away from media attention, making only occasional public appearances during family events.

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