Reema Lagoo was born on 21 June 1958 as Nayan Bhadbhade. Her mother was Marathi stage actress Mandakini Bhadbhade famed for the drama Lekure udand Jaahalee. Lagoo’s acting abilities were noted when she was a student at the Huzurpaga HHCP High School in Pune. She took to acting professionally after completing her secondary education. Starting 1979, she was employed with the Union Bank of India for ten years in Bombay (now Mumbai), when, alongside appearances in television and films, she participated in the inter-bank cultural events.

She met Vivek Lagoo, her future colleague in the bank and stage actor, in 1976 before marrying in 1978. Upon marriage, she adopted the name Reema Lagoo. Described by Vivek as “an understanding to restructure our lives”, they separated later. The couple’s daughter Mrunmayee is also an actress and theatre director.

Lagoo’s career as an actor began as a child, influenced by her mother, who was a Marathi stage and film actress. She appeared in five films including Masterji, directed by Durga Khote. Her senior career continued in Marathi stage after a long gap following work as a child artiste. It began with her coming to Mumbai and appearing in P. L. Deshpande’s play, an adaptation of My Fair Lady. However, she received wider recognition with roles in television serials, Hindi and Marathi films. She debuted in films in 1979 with the Marathi film Sinhasan.

Lagoo also had a fairly successful career as a television actor in both Hindi and Marathi languages. She debuted on television in 1985 with the Hindi series Khandaan. Her roles in Shriman Shrimati as Kokila Kulkarni and as Devaki Verma starring opposite Supriya Pilgaonkar in Tu Tu Main Main were her most successful shows, with the latter winning her the Indian Telly Award for Best Actress in a Comic Role.

Lagoo also had a notable presence in Marathi cinema. She was awarded the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the 2002 film Reshamgaath. Her role in Janma (2011), which she referred to as “one of the best roles in her career”, received praise. Recognising her contribution to Marathi cinema, she was awarded the V Shantaram Award by the Government of Maharashtra.

Lagoo had been shooting for the television series Naamkarann till 7 p.m. (IST) on 17 May 2017. After she complained of chest pain later that night, she was taken to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai at 1 a.m. (IST). She died at 3:15 a.m. (IST) from cardiac arrest. At the time of death, she was described as being “perfectly fine” and having “no health issues”. Her funeral was performed by her daughter in Oshiwara crematorium, in Mumbai