By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
सर पे टोपी लाल, हाथ में रेशम का रूमाल, हो, तेरा क्या कहना
गोरे-गोरे गाल पे उलझे-उलझे बाल, हो, तेरा क्या कहना
मेरा दिल तो जान-ए-जां, चुराके चली कहाँ,
बहकी-बहकी चाल, हाय, लचके जैसे डाल, हो, तेरा क्या कहना
सर पे टोपी
Born Qamar Sultana, Ameeta started her career with “Chaitanya Mahaprabhu” directed by Vijay Bhatt (1953) followed by a string of flops and semi successful films “Shirin Farhad” “Munimji” ,” Ab-e-Hyat” ( 1955 ) & ” Dekh Kabira Roya” ( 1957). The actress swung between success & flops until she hit the jackpot when Shashadhar Mukherjee cast her in his music hit “Tumsa Nahin Dekha” ( 1957), directed by Nasir Hussain , opposite dashing & flirtatious Shammi Kapoor ,Oo La La, with many foot tapping songs like “Sar Par Topi Lal, Haath Mein Resham Ka Rumal”, “Chhupnewale Samne Aa”,” “Dekho Kasam Se Kehte Hai Tumse Haan” & “Jawaniyan Yeh Mast Mast Bin Piye” to mention some.
Vijay Bhatt’s “Goonj Uthi Shehnai” ( 1959) put the actress in the star bracket. It also catapulted Rajendra Kumar to unbelievably amazing starry heights .The producers lined outide his house for dates.The film revolves round a ‘Shehnai’ player whom a beautiful girl adores. Ustad Bismillah Khan did the miracle throughout the film with has Shehnai magic.The film boasts of some lovely numbers like” “Jivan Men Piya Tera Sath Rahe”, “”Dil Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya”, “Maine Peena Seekh Liya” & “Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet” rendered by Lata Mangeshkar. It was the 5th highest grossing film with music score by Vasant Desai. H. S. Rawail’s Mere Mehboob” (1963) was another successful film of the actress starring Ashok Kumar, Rajendra Kumar and Nimmi with music score by Naushad. Some of songs were real gems like “Mere Mehboob Tujhe”, “Yaad Mein Teri”, “Tere Pyar Mein Dildar” & “Tumse Izhar – E -Haal Kar Baithe”. The film received 8 nominations winning two. Ameeta was also nominated for Best Supporting Actress. Also won National Award :Certificate of Merit for the Second Best Feature Film in Hindi.
The actress was later made to play the second fiddle in films like “Around The World” ( 1967) featuring Raj Kapoor & Rajshree & “Haseena Maan Jayegi” ( 1968) starring Shashi Kapoor & Babita in the lead. Directed by Prakash Mehra ( of ‘Zanzeer’ fame), the film was a big success for the director as well the actors with “Bekhudi Mein Sanam” being pick of the lot. Ameeta bid adieu to films as fresh offers for the lead roles were not forthcoming. She later married. Ameeta was spotted by Lekhraj Bhakri and she was offered a side role in film “Thokar” (1953).
