By Jagmohan Singh Barhok

On Her Death Anniversary

ओ काली टोपी वाले ज़रा नाम तो बता
ओ गोरे गोरे गालों वाली काम तो बता

Shakila, born Badshah Begum on Ist January 1935, was an Indian actress best known for her role in Guru Dutt’s “Aar Paar” singing “Babuji Dheere Chalna.. ” to enter straight into the hearts of the viewers. The charsima of the number under reference continues even after more than six decades. It was followed by Dev Ananad starrer suspense movie “C.I.D.” produced by Guru Dutt & directed by Raj Khosla,a box-office success with many hit numbers to boast like- “Leke Pehla Pehla Pyaar”, “Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein”, “Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana” & “Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re” to mention.

She later worked in “Baraat” opposite Ajit with a lovely song “Muft Hue Badnaam Kisi Pe Haay Dil Ko Lagaa Ke” & “Ustadon Ke Ustaad” (1963) opposite Pradeep Kumar. One of the songs “Sau Baar Janam Lenge, Sau Baar Fanah honge’ was pick of the lot. Waheeda Rehman was her arch rival. She later became close to Guru Dutt resulting his differences with wife Geeta Dutt. Shakila, on the other hand, mistakenly accepted a fantasy film titled” Alibaba and Forty Thieves” in 1954 to be typecast as an Arabian princess because of her pert and streamlined physique & looks. She was offered roles in mythological and fantasy films like “Lalpari” (1954), “Veer Rajputani” (1955), Roop Kumari (1956), “Agra Road” & “Paristan” (1957), “Al-Hilal” & “Chaubees Ghante” both in 1958. “Hatim Tai” (1956), however, was a successful film.

Towards the fag end she was cast in Shakti Samanta ” China Town” opposite Shammi Kapoor with a popular number “Baar Baar Dekho”. She was cast opposite Ajit in “Tower House” the same year. The film also had a few lovely songs like- “Main Khushnasib Hu Mujhko Kisi Ka Pyar Mila” & “Ai Mere Dil-E-Naadaan, Tu Gam Se Na Ghabaraanaa” under the music score Ravi.

A.R.Kardar introduced her to films .Her family suffered hardships. Their ancestors belonged to the upper crust in Afghanistan. After the death of her grandfather in a family feud her father shifted to India. After his death her aunt raised her three nieces.

During my visits to Bombay between 1976 to 1997 I tried to find out her address unsuccessfully. Most people told she was no more. However, I was not convinced. She later appeared on an NDTV “show” about ten year ago. By that time I had left visiting Bombay as a journalist. She still remains my favorite actress as she looked like an exotic princess.

बाबूजी धीरे चलना
प्यार में ज़रा सम्भालना
हाँ बड़े धोखे है
बड़े धोखे हैं इस राह में
बाबूजी धीरे चलना

Died this Day in 2017 at the age of 82.