By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Birth Anniversary
बैठे थे किनारे पे, मौजों के इशारे पे
हम खेले तूफ़ानों से, इस दिल के अरमानों से
हमको ये मालूम न था, कोई साथ नहीं देता
माँझी छोड़ जाता है, साहिल छूट जाता है
शीशा हो या दिल हो आख़िर टूट जाता है
Reena Roy began her career, then barely 15, with “Zaroorat”, directed by B.R. Ishara also featuring Vijay Arora & Danny Denzongpa. She was earlier hesitant to do the film because of sexually suggestive role, but later gave her consent. The film begins with a rape scene. The tag “Zaroorat Girl” remained fastened with her for years until she gained prominence after the success of “Jaise Ko Taisa” (1973) & “Zakhmee” (1975) & was respected as an actress of substance. Subhash Ghai’s “Vishwanath” (1978) & Raj Kumar Kohli’s star studded horror drama “Jaani Dushman” made her rub shoulders with the top actresses. There was no looking back as her films continued to do wonders at the box office like- the romantic-social drama “Aasha” (1980), “Arpan” (1983) the multi starrer “Naseeb” (1981) & the romantic comedy “Sanam Teri Kasam” (1982) to mention some.
Roy married Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in 1983 and moved to Pakistan. The couple was blessed with a daughter. After divorce in 1992 Roy returned to India. She began her second innings with “Aadmi Khilona Hai” (1993) & later appeared in supporting roles in most films.
She featured in Rajkumar Kohli’s ‘Nagin’ (1976 film) , ‘Jaani Dushman’, ‘Muqabla’ (1979 film) and ‘Raaj Tilak’ (1984) all multi-starrers. Was also close to Subhash Ghai & J Om Prakash -“Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho” ( film “Aasha”). She remained romantically involved with #Shatrughan Sinha for years. Their marriage was on the cards . Sunil Dutt, too had a soft corner for her. They worked together in many films like “Jaani Dushman”, “Paapi”, “Zakhmee”, “Umar Quaid”, “Dard Ka Rishta”, “Nagin” to mention some. She was bestowed with Filmfare Award as Best Supporting Actress for ‘Apnapan’ which she #refused to accept.
