In last weekend’s blog, I wrote about actress Nargis. During the period of the late 40s, 1950s, and 1960s, there was one more actress who also made her name in Bollywood, and she was MEENA KUMARI. She was born on 1st August 1933, and her maiden name was Mahjabeen Bano. She was an actress, poet and costume designer, and was also known as the Tragedy Queen. She is regarded as one of the finest and greatest actresses of Bollywood. In a career spanning 33 years, from child artist to adult, she acted in over 90 films.
She was first cast as the leading lady in the 1946 film Bachchon Ka Khel. She acted in about 12 films till 1952. She was first noticed as a serious actress in the 1952/53 film Baiju Bawra, for which she won the inaugural Filmfare Award for Best Actress. After that, there was no looking back. Her next was Parineeta (1954), directed by Bimal Roy, and Chandani Chowk (1954), directed by BR Chopra. In 1955, she acted in Azaad with Dilip Kumar directed by SM Naidu. Her next famous film was Ek Hi Raasta (1956) directed by BR Chopra, where she starred along with Ashok Kumar and Sunil Dutt. In the same year, she acted with Kishore Kumar in Naya Andaz directed by K Amarnath and, Halaku directed by DD Kashyap.
In 1957, she acted in Sharada with Raj Kapoor, directed by LV Prasad. In the same year, she also acted in a comedy film, Miss Mary. In 1958, she acted in Yahudi along with Dilip Kumar, directed by Bimal Roy. Her next famous film was Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959), directed by Devendra Goel, with Rajendra Kumar. Her next hit film was Shararat, which was a romantic drama starring Raj Kumar and Kishore Kumar, and directed by HS Rawail. Her other films released in 1959 were Ardhangni, Satta Bazaar, Madhu and Jaagir.
Next was Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), written and directed by Kishore Sahu, and also starring Raaj Kumar and Nadira. Next, she acted with Dilip Kumar in Kohinoor(1960), directed by SU Sunny. Her next famous films were Zindagi Aur Khwab and Pyaar Ka Saagar, both starring Rajendra Kumar.
1962 was a very special year for Meena Kumar, as she was only the nominee for Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her roles in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Aarti and Main Chup Rahoongi, and she won the award for Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.
Her next famous and hit films were Dil Ek Mandir (1963) with Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar, directed by CV Sridhar. Saanjh Aur Savera (1964) with Guru Dutt , directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Chitalekaha (1964) with Ashok Kumar and Pradeep Kumar directed by Kidar Sharma.
Kaajal (1965) was directed by Ram Maheshwari whereshe acted along with Dharmendra, Raaj Kumar and Padmini. She won her 4thFilmfare award for this film. Her next famous film was Phool Aur Pathar (1966) with Dharmendra, directed by OP Ralhan.
From 1967 to 1971, she acted in films like Majhli Didi, Bahu Begum, Noor Jahan, Chandan Ka Palna, Baharon Ki Manzil, and Abhilasha. This was a period when she switched to character roles in films like Jawab, Saat Phere, Mere Apne, Dushman, and Gomti Ke Kinare (released after her death).
In her personal life, she married Kamal Amrohi in February 1952 in a private Nikah ceremony. As Kamal Amrohi was already married with three children, they stayed separately. After a few years, they got divorced. It is rumoured that she had to go through halala when they wanted to come together again. She had chronic insomnia, and upon her doctor’s advice, she started taking alcohol to get sleep. She eventually got addicted to alcohol.
In 1972, her swan song film, which took 16 years to complete, was released: Pakeezah, co-starring Ashok Kumar and Raaj Kumar. The film was released on 3rd February, and she died on 31st March 1972.
Here is the list of my favourite songs picturised on Meena Kumari and their YouTube link
1 Mohe Bhool Gaye Sanwariya– Baiju Bawra 1953 (Film-F). Lata Mangeshkar (Singer-S), Shakeel Badayuni (Lyricist), Naushad (Music Director-MD).
https://youtu.be/X7V7U54rMjw?si=X2xERzpCq46rPmVQ
2 Kitna Haseen Hai Mausam, Kitna Haseen Safar Hai– Azad 1955 (F). Lata Mangeshkar & Chitalkar (S), Rajinder Krishan –L), C Ramchandra (MD). On screen with Dilip Kumar.
https://youtu.be/jaZnV-zzl0o?si=ZMOjrNGZNkkSRShM
3 Meri Jaan, Meri Jaan, Pyar Kisi Se Ho Hi Gaya Hai– Yahudi 1958 (F). Lata Maneshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
https://youtu.be/shjyd6yhBjQ?si=EfDZbFN6Jz-kl-mI
4 Azeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, Kahan Shuru Kahan Khatam– Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai 1960 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
https://youtu.be/niSarMZ2t7g?si=CLVSMWEdOWWF7E5t
5 Do Sitaron Ka Zameen Pe Hai Milan Aaj Ki Raat– Kohinoor 1960. Lata Mangeshkar & Mohd Rafi (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD).
https://youtu.be/2j2WP677t4E?si=j5rDPl6wUkFd5mnI
6 Na Jaao Saiyan, Chuda Ke Baiyan, kasam Tumhai Main Ro Padongi– Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam 1962 (F). geeta dutt (S), Shakeel badayuni (L), Hemant Kumar (MD)
https://youtu.be/TCDbIT13MRY?si=-eg4v4rBK-Q22KvD
7 Kabhi To Milegi, Kahin To Milegi, Baharon Ki Manzil Raahi– Aarti 1962 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (l), Roshan (MD)
https://youtu.be/UMZWtjM7Xa8?si=0FJlyMPzua7JDAge
8 Hum Tere Pyar Mein Saara Alam Kho Baithe Hain– Dil Ek Mandir 1963 (F),. Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hasrat jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/7fsme4Nn6yw?si=3oBG8t6XbQZSvyJw
9 Sansar Se Bhaage Phirte Ho, Bhagwan Ko Tum Kya Paaoge– Chitrlekha 1964 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Roshan (MD).
https://youtu.be/4UOg7GWgEdk?si=E0VM8j6I7khZjLHX
10 Tora man Darpan Kehalaye, Bhale Bure Saare Karmon Ko– Kaajal 1965 (F). Asha Bhosle (S), Sahir Ludhianvi (L), Ravi (MD).
https://youtu.be/4UOg7GWgEdk?si=E0VM8j6I7khZjLHX
11 Hum Intezaar Karenge Tera Qayamat Tak– Bahu Begum 1967 (F). Asha Bhosle & Mohd Rafi (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), Roshan (MD)
https://youtu.be/iPx5cZOjIvE?si=Rft2L-UQicdjYLXD
12 Mausam Hai Aashiqana, Ae Dil Kahin Se Unko Dhoon Lana– Paakezah 1972 (F). Lata Mangeshkar (S), Kanmal Amrohi (L), Ghulam Mohd (MD).
https://youtu.be/vqnzSip3JNk?si=ffJSzBN4ncGea5ui
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
20th March 2026