Anita Guha, who played the lead role in the 1975 blockbuster Jai Santoshi Maa [Images], passed away around midnight, following cardiac failure.

The actress, who was in her 70s and was ailing for some time, died at a private hospital in Mumbai, hospital sources said.

Guha had come to Mumbai from Bengal to take part in a national beauty pageant in the 1950s when she was 15. She stayed back to play major roles in several films.

She became a household name when she played the role of Sita in the film, Sampoorna Ramayan. This was followed by Jai Santoshi Ma. Guha also starred in Dekh Kabira Roya (1957) and Sanjog (1961).

Guha did not have any children but counted yesteryear's actresses Mala Sinha and Helen among her friends. Enquiries at Mala Sinha's home revealed that she attended Guha's last rites.