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Biography

Meena Kumari’s Biography

Meena Kumari was an Indian Actress as well as Poet who appeared in Hindi films. Meena Kumari was born on August 1 1933 and died on March 31 1972. She worked from 1939 to 1972 and was labelled 'The Tragedy Queen.'

Meena Kumari's real name was Mahjabeen Bano. After her debut performance in 'Leather Face ' Vijay Bhatt suggested three names for her to choose from: Prabha Kamla and Meena. Although Manju was her nickname she eventually adopted the name Meena Kumari.

Meena Kumari was a legendary actress in the Hindi film industry. She appeared in over 90 films during her 33-year career which ended in 1972. But the difficulties she faced in her brief life of only 38 years are unparalleled.

Meena Kumari won four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She won the first Filmfare Best Actress Award for Baiju Bawra in 1954 and she won again for Parineeta in the second Filmfare Awards in 1955. At the 10th Filmfare Awards (1963) Kumari made history by receiving all three Best Actress nominations and winning for her performance in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam.

Despite having a successful career her personal life was a disaster that overshadowed her opportunities. In her later years, the talented actress who had won four Filmfare Awards for Best Actress suffered from depression and alcoholism.

Age

Meena Kumari's age at the time of death was 39 years. Meena Kumari was born on 1 August 1932. Meena Kumari’s zodiac sign is Leo. Meena Kumari is from Dadar East Bombay British India (present-day Mumbai India).

Meena Kumari’s Death

Meena Kumari's date of death is 31 March 1972. Meena Kumari was 39 years old when she died. The reason for her death was determined to be liver cirrhosis. 

Meena Kumari was admitted into St. Elizabeth's Nursing Home on March 28 1972. Two days later she fell into a coma and on March 31, 1972, she passed away suddenly. Meena Kumari was 39 years old at the time.

Childhood

Meena Kumari’s Childhood

Meena Kumari was born as Mahjabeen to Ali Bux and Iqbal Begum. Ali Bux was devastated because he had hoped for a son. Meena Kumari was the second daughter and had two sisters: Khursheed Jr. (not Khursheed Bano) and Mahliqa (aka Madhu).

Her family was unable to pay the doctor for her delivery so her father decided to place her in an orphanage. A few hours later he changed his mind and drove her home. Mahjabeen stated as a child that she would rather attend school than pursue a career in film.

Despite this, her parents began pitching her to film studios for work. Mahjabeen was cast in the film Leatherface by director Vijay Bhatt and she was paid Rs. 25 on her first day.

Leatherface debuted in 1939. She took on the role of breadwinner in the Bux family at a young age. In a 1962 interview, Meena Kumari stated that the fact that she had been supporting her parents since the age of four gave her immense satisfaction.

Education

Meena Kumari was enrolled in a regular school but that didn't last long because her studies were frequently disrupted by work obligations. She never attended school in any meaningful sense; instead, she received her education through private tuition and more importantly through personal interests. In this sense she was self-educated.

Family

Meena Kumari’s father’s name is Master Ali Bux. Meena Kumari’s mother’s name is Prabhawati Devi. Master Ali Bux was a Parsi theatre veteran musician and poet. Iqbal Begum also known as Prabhawati Devi was a dancer. Meena Kumari’s siblings are Khursheed Bano and Mahliqa.

Marriage

Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi

Ashok Kumar Kishore Kumar's brother introduced Meena Kumari to filmmaker Kamal Amrohi. Meena was later offered a role in one of Kamal's films. However, Meena Kumari was involved in a horrific car accident on May 21 1951 and was hospitalised for nearly four months causing the project to be halted before it could begin construction.

Meena suffered from depression after her tragic accident and Kamal used to pay her regular hospital visits. According to reports they even exchanged letters when they weren't supposed to meet. You'll be surprised to learn that Kamal was a married man with three children when he interacted with Meena Kumari.

Meena Kumari's husband Kamal signed Meena for Anarkali but when production was about to begin the producer ran into financial difficulties and the film was cancelled. Despite all of this Meena Kumari married Kamal Amrohi on February 14 1952 in a private nikah ceremony attended by Mahliqa Meena's sister. Meena was only 18 years old at the time and Kamal was 34.

Relationships

Meena Kumari and Gulzar

Meena Kumar was married to Kamal Amrohi at the time but things were not going well between the two. Meena used to express her pain through poetry and poems.

When she met Gulzar they became fast friends. Kamal Amrohi Meena Kumari's husband never appreciated her poetry. He assumed Meena didn't understand poetry but Gulzar became a big fan of her poetry. Meena Kumari became closer to Gulzar as a result of this.

Meena Kumari also appeared in a Gulzar film in her final days. She was suffering from liver psoriasis at the time and was unable to work on the sets. Gulzar persuaded Meena Kumari to appear in 'Mere Apne ' and the film was completed. Gulzar stated that Meena Kumari used to make a lot of jokes with new actors on the set.

Even before her death, the tragedy queen gave all of her poetry and poems written by her to her true friend Gulzar. Gulzar also had Meena Kumari's poetry published in the form of a book called 'Meena Kumari Ki Shayari'.

Meena Kumari and Dharmendra

Meena a popular actress is said to have had relationships with the leading actors in the Hindi film industry Dharmendra. There were rumours of Meena and Dharmendra's affair after her divorce from Kamal.

Dharmendra never shied away from admitting that he is who he is today because of Meena Kumari. Meena was an established actress when Dharmendra was a newcomer to the industry. Vinod had written about her alleged relationship with Dharmendra:

'According to popular belief, Meena and Dharam were intimate for three years. According to sources, the intimacy lasted no more than six months.'

Struggles

Career

Meena Kumari’s Career

Meena Kumari was six years old when Vijay Bhatt hired her for Leatherface (1939) and named her Baby Meena. Later she was cast as Meena Kumari in Bhatt's Baiju Bawra (1952).

Meena Kumari went on to appear in 94 films over the course of her career which lasted from 1939 to 1972. She became a household name after her performances in 'Baiju Bawra', 'Parineeta', 'Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam', and 'Kaajal' for which she received 'Best Actress' awards.

She worked on mythological films with Homi Wadia before moving on to comedies like Miss Mary (1957). She became the archetypal good Hindu wife through many roles long-suffering and always remaining true to the man. She specialised in tragedy and was frequently portrayed carrying the movie with her moving acting.

Additionally, it was believed that she was the only actress whose name alone could sell a movie. Her notable productions include Daaera (1953) Baiju Bawra (1952) and of course Pakeezah her most well-known film (1972). She began creating 'Pakeezah' with her husband Kamal Amrohi. The couple split up in 1964.

Meena Kumari was a skilled Urdu writer as well and Gulzar published several of her poems after she passed away. She struggled with alcoholism and loneliness before passing away on her own in 1972.

Movies

Baiju Bawra

Young musician Baiju challenges maestro Tansen to a musical duel in Mughal Emperor Akbar's court in an effort to exact revenge for the death of his father which Tansen is held accountable for.

Pakeeza

Sahibjaan (Meena Kumari) a Muslim prostitute longs to escape the brothel where she was raised much like her mother Nargis (also Kumari) who also lived the life of a courtesan. Salim Ahmed Khan (Raaj Kumar) a young man from a respectable family falls in love when he hears her sing and dance. Unfortunately, Salim's wealthy parents are opposed to any relationship between them so he abandons his family to be with Sahibjaan even after learning about her past.

Ghazal

The film is set in Agra and tells the story of Ejaz (Sunil Dutt) the editor of Inquilab. After hearing her sing he falls deeply in love with Naaz Ara Begum (Meena Kumari). However, he quickly loses his job. Ejaz and Naaz meet secretly thanks to the assistance of Naaz's sister Kausar. Many people are upset about this relationship starting with her father Nawab Bakar Ali Khan (Prithviraj Kapoor) who wants Naaz to marry Akhtar Nawab (Rehman) her paternal cousin.

Parineeta

Shekhar the son of wealthy business magnate Nabin Rai secretly marries the lovely Lalitha a poor family's neighbour in early twentieth-century Calcutta. When Rai demands repayment for a loan he made to Lalitha's uncle trouble ensues. Her uncle obtains a loan from a man of a lower caste in order to repay the money. He then concludes that Lalitha should be married off.

Kaajal

Ranimaa's Munim lives with his son Kaushal and daughter Madhavi. Ranimaa raises both children as her own after he dies along with her only son Rajesh. Rajesh has grown up and reached marriageable age. He meets the lovely Bhanu Saxena and they both fall in love with each other. Soon after Kaushal is killed in a boating accident leaving behind a devastated Madhavi.

Kohinoor

When King Dhivendra saves Princess Chandramukhi from thugs she falls in love with him. However, her life becomes complicated when she is kidnapped by an evil general and is forced to marry him in order to save Dhivendra.

Saheb Biwi Aur Gulam

Bhootnath (Guru Dutt) travels to Calcutta from the countryside in search of his fortune where he is hired as a servant in a large family's mansion. The youngest son is a scoundrel who spends all of his time drinking and having affairs with prostitutes which breaks Chhoti Bahu's heart (Meena Kumari). Bhootnath develops a romantic interest in his lonely mistress and befriends her but he is saddened by the desperate measures she employs to win back her husband.

Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai

A hardworking surgeon is forced to marry one of a family friend's daughters. His heart however belongs to a nurse who works tirelessly by his side on a daily basis.

Dil Ek Mandir

When his terminally ill patient turns out to be the husband of a long-lost love Dr. Dharmesh is torn between saving him and letting him die so that Dharmesh can finally marry her.

Majhli Didi

This frequently overlooked masterpiece was actually India's submission for Best Foreign Language Film at the 41st Academy Awards and was based on a story by renowned author Sarat Chandra. The character of Kumari is an educated city girl who marries a very traditional family and finds herself in the middle of an intrafamily conflict.

Meena Kumari’s Songs

Career Timeline

Year Title Role
1939 Leather Face Baby Mahjabeen
1939 Adhuri Kahani Baby Mahjabeen
1940 Pooja Bina
1940 Ek Hi Bhool Baby Meena
1941 Nai Roshni Munni
1941 Kasauti Baby Meena
1941 Bahen Bina
1942 Garib Baby Meena
1942 Vijay Baby Meena
1943 Pratiggya Baby Meena
1944 Lal Haveli Mukta
1946 Duniya Ek Sarai Tara
1946 Bachchon Ka Khel Anuradha
1948 Piya Ghar Aaja  
1948 Bichchade Balam  
1949 Veer Ghatotkach Surekha
1950 Shri Ganesh Mahima Satyabhama
1950 Magroor Meenu Rai
1950 Hamara Ghar  
1951 Sanam Rani
1951 Madhosh Soni
1951 Laxmi Narayan Goddess Laxmi
1951 Hanuman Patal Vijay Makari
1952 Tamasha Kiran
1952 Baiju Bawra Gauri
1952 Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag Princess Badar
1953 Naulakha Haar Bijma
1953 Parineeta Lalita
1953 Foot Path Mala
1953 Do Bigha Zamin Thakurain
1953 Daana Paani  
1953 Daaera Sheetal
1954 Ilzaam Kamli
1954 Chandni Chowk Zareena Begum
1954 Baadbaan  
1955 Rukhsana Rukhsana
1955 Adl-e-Jehangir Zareena
1955 Bandish Usha Sen
1955 Azaad Shobha
1956 Mem Sahib Meena
1956 Ek Hi Raasta Malti
1956 Shatranj Sandhya
1956 Naya Andaz Mala
1956 Halaku Nilofer Nadir
1956 Bandhan Bani
1957 Sharada Sharda Ram Sharan
1957 Miss Mary Miss Mary / Laxmi
1958 Sahara Leela
1958 Yahudi Hannah
1958 Savera Shanti
1958 Farishta Shobha
1959 Chand Vimla
1959 Ardhangini Chhaya
1959 Shararat Shabnam
1959 Satta Bazaar Jamuna
1959 Madhu Madhu
1959 Jagir Jyoti
1959 Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan Ratna
1959 Char Dil Char Rahen Chavli
1960 Kohinoor Princess Chandramukhi
1960 Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai Karuna
1960 Bahana  
1961 Zindagi aur Khwab Shanti
1961 Pyaar Ka Saagar Radha / Rani B Gupta
1961 Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan Geeta
1962 Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam Chhoti Bahu / Sati Lakshmi
1962 Main Chup Rahungi Gayetri
1962 Aarti Aarti Gupta
1963 Kinare Kinare Neelu
1963 Dil Ek Mandir Sita
1963 Akeli Mat Jaiyo Seema
1964 Benazir Benazir
1964 Main Bhi Ladki Hoon Rajni
1964 Sanjh Aur Savera Gauri
1964 Ghazal Naaz Ara Beghum
1964 Chitralekha Chitralekha
1965 Purnima Purnima V. Lal
1965 Kaajal Madhvi
1965 Bheegi Raat Neelima
1966 Phool Aur Patthar Shanti
1966 Pinjre Ke Panchhi Heena Sharma
1967 Noorjehan Mehr-un-Nisa / Noorjehan
1967 Majhli Didi Hemangini
1967 Chandan Ka Palna Shobha Rai
1967 Bahu Begum Zeenat Jahan Begum
1968 Baharon Ki Manzil Nanda Roy / Radha Shukla
1968 Abhilasha Meena Singh
1970 Saat Phere  
1970 Jawab Vidya
1971 Mere Apne Anandi Devi
1971 Dushmun Malti
1972 Pakeezah Nargis / Sahibjaan
1972 Gomti Ke Kinare Ganga

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Controversies

Kamal Amrohi Meena Kumari's husband is said to have uttered the three dreaded words 'Talaq Talaq Talaq ' in a fit of rage. Amrohi is said to have later regretted giving Meena Kumari the triple talaq.

Networth and Income

As of 1972, Meena Kumari had a net worth of $3 million as a movie actress. One of the most influential Hindi actresses of all time.

Awards

Year Film Role Result
1973 Pakeezah Nargis / Sahibjaan Nominated
1967 Phool Aur Patthar Shanti Nominated
1966 Kaajal Madhvi Won
1964 Dil Ek Mandir Sita Nominated
1963 Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam Chhoti Bahu Won
1963 Aarti Aarti Gupta Nominated
1963 Main Chup Rahungi Gayetri Nominated
1960 Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan Ratna Nominated
1959 Sahara Leela Nominated
1956 Azaad Shobha Nominated
1955 Parineeta Lalita Won
1954 Baiju Bawra Gauri Won

7 Interesting Facts about Meena Kumari

Profile Summary

Meena Kumari Details
Meena Kumari Profession Legendary Actress and Poet
Meena Kumari Celebrity Type Movie Star
Meena Kumari Age 39 years
Meena Kumari Date Of Birth August 1 1933
Meena Kumari Date Of Death March 31 1972
Meena Kumari Zodiac Sign Leo
Meena Kumari City Bombay
Meena Kumari Height 5 Feet 2 Inch
Meena Kumari Weight 58 Kgs
Meena Kumari Notable Work Pakeeza Baiju Bawra Gazal Kaajal Kohinoor Parineeta
Meena Kumari Total Films Over 93 Indian Films
Meena Kumari Net Worth $3 million

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