Born 1933 into a poor Parsee theatre family of Ali Bux and dancer Iqbal begum in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. Entered films to support family in difficult times. She was six when hired for Leatherface (1939) in 1939 by Vijay Bhatt and named Baby Meena. Later she became Meena Kumari when cast for Bhatt’s Baiju Bawra (1952). She did mythological films with Homi Wadia and then comedies like Miss Mary (1957). She became personified as the archetypal good Hindu wife through many roles, long suffering and always true to the man. She excelled at tragedy and was often shown in a white sari carrying the film with her emotive acting. She was also thought to be the only actress who could sell a film on the strength of her name alone. Her major films are Daaera (1953), Baiju Bawra (1952), 0046164, and of course her most well known film, Pakeezah (1972). She was married to Kamal Amrohi with whom she started making “Pakeezah””. They separated in 1964. She was also an accompalished Urdu writer and had several poems published by Gulzar after her death. She battled alcoholism and loneliness and finally died, alone, in 1972.”
Meena Kumari
Movies
Aarti
Aarti (Meena Kumari) is a dedicated and hard-working doctor, who believes that her skills should be used for the welfare of patients only. In contrast her fiance, Dr. Prakash (Ashok Kumar) believes in the opposite. Then one day, Aarti’s is saved from drowning by a poor, unemployed youth, Deepak (Pradeep…
Bheegi Raat
Painting artiste Ashok lives a wealthy lifestyle along with his Bombay-based father, Dwarkanath, who wants him to marry Vinita, the daughter of businessman Ramdas. Ashok not only refuses but also insults her and she swears to avenge this humiliation. He then re-locates to Nainital, rents a cottage from Colonel Bhim…
Fun Facts
Wrote poetry in Urdu, some of which has been published.
Mehmood Married Meena Kumari's sister.
Mehmood Taught table tennis to Meena Kumari.
At the Filmfare Awards 1963, she was the only one nominated in the category Best Actress in a Leading Role. She was nominated for three of her performances in three different films - an achievement still not accomplished by any other actress at the Filmfare Awards.
She had taken interest in newcomer Rahul from the film Raaz (1967). She was promoting him to all producers. His real name was Mahinder and he was from Jalandhar India.
Actor Altaf ( Pakeezah) was married to Meena Kumari sister.
Prior to her death, Kamal Amrohi was planning a film with her titled "Saaton Jahan"".
Sister Madhu (Mahlekha) acted in Kinare Kinare and Manzil. She was married to Mehmoof. She later remarried Kishore Sharma (Her lawyer). Kishore Sharma would later attempt to produce ""Chanakaya"" directed by B.R.Chopra. Starring Dilip Kumar