Jagmohan Singh Barhok
Born Mahjabeen Bano , Meena Kumari was popularly known as ‘Tragedy Queen’. Infact, she was a ‘Brand’ in her own right. An actress who made many a million smile with her acting prowess, symbolised pity or sadness throughout her exchequerd career spanning more than thirty-years, and so successfully ,too.
Tears came naturally in her eyes. She never used glycerine.Her failed marriage , coupled with emotional discontentment, turned her into a virtual recluse. She tried to find happiness in the arms of young Dharmendra. Unfortunately, it did not work as he, too, was married & had children. Her brief liaison with Sawan Kumar Tak, towards the fag end of her career, ignited a thin ray of hope but here too luck eluded her. Sawan Kumar Tak was also married. “Gomti Ke Kinare” , produced & directed by Tak, was Meena Kumari’s last film. She died before the release of the film. Her other film, former husband Kamaal Amrohi’s magnum-opus, “Pakeezah” received positive reviews and was declared a hit with some of the best ‘mujras’ & luxurious sets to boast.
Meena Kumari’s first film was released in 1939. She, however, hit the limelight with Vijay Bhatt’s “Baiju Bawra” (1952) opposite Bharat Bhushan , winning her first Best actress Filmfare Award. It was followed by another for her role in “Parineeta” (1953), directed by Bimal Roy featuring Ashok Kumar. Meena Kumari who later did hits like- “Azaad”,”,”Yahudi”, “Kohinoor”, “Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai”, “Miss Marry”, “Foot Path”, “Dil Ek Mandir”, “Shararat”, “Ek Hi Raasta” , “Kaajal” & Guru Dutt’s “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam”, became a potential threat to most actors as many of them refused to work opposite her lest they lose recognition and lustre. She was seen as a ‘Star Maker’ as well as ‘Star Breaker’.
Her portrayal of ‘Chhoti Bahu’ in the classic “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” reflected sufferings and unhappiness she endured in her life. The film won four Filmfare Awards, including the Best Actress Award . I was lucky enough to have seen the actress shoot at Nainital during the making of “Bheegi Raat” & later at Kashipur, in Uttar Pradesh (where my father was then posted), during the making of “Majhli Didi” starring Dharmendra at the farm house of P.N.Arora, Director Escorts Limited. Dharmendra later purchased a farm house at Kashipur.
Meena Kumari who won four Filmfare Best Actress Awards also received twelve Best Actress Nominations. Died in the prime of her life at the age of 39. Born this day in 1933 in Bombay.
