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Born to be a star, Meena Kumari was considered a burden by her parents – Ali Bux and Iqbal Begum – when she was born on August 1, 1933 as Mahjabeen Bano to a couple who were poor theatre artists.
Meena Kumari, a star who is very fondly remembered by the Hindi film circuit and her fans at large, wore multiple hats as a performer. Not just as an actress, she was also known for her singing and poetry.
She gave vent to her poetic ventures under the pseudonym “Naaz”.
Called the Cinderella of Indian films, Mahjabeen Bano was called “Munna” by her near and dear ones. The family could not pay for the delivery hence they left her at an orphanage. Changing his mind hours later father, Ali Bux, fetched her home.
Absolutely not into performing arts, it was her parent’s extraordinary interest in films and theatres that took her to the studios. At 4 Director Vijay Bhatt cast her in the film Leatherface and on her first day she was paid Rs. 25.
By now she had become a bread winner of the family.
She was nicknamed “Reading Mahjabeen”, as she brought books onto the sets and when working on location. She initially worked mostly in Vijay Bhatt productions like Leatherface, Adhuri Kahani, Pooja and Ek Hi Bhool. Bhatt rechristened Mahjabeen as “Baby Meena” in 1940 while filming Ek Hi Bhool.
From here on she starred in films like Nai Roshni, Bahen, Kasauti, Vijay, Garib, Pratiggya and Lal Haveli.
It was only in Ramnik Production’s Bachchon Ka Khel in 1946 that she was finally cast as Meena Kumari. Her fame as Meena Kumari came at a time when she sadly lost her mother to Lung Cancer.
Films such as Magroor, Hamara Ghar, Sanam, Madhosh, and Tamasha either saw her in multi-starrers or in lead roles which unfortunately tanked. Meena was on the lookout for a film that would take her to the height of stardom. It was Baiju Bawra in 1952 that helped her fill that space.
Her interviews often showed how she was satisfied to help her parents in their hour of need. Failing to balance work and school she virtually dropped out. Her only means to good knowledge was private education.
On the sets of Tamasha, Ashok Kumar introduced filmmaker Kamal Amrohi to Meena Kumari. A chance coming together of the two for Kamal Amrohi’s Anarkali which eventually got shelved and a consequent accident got them talking via letters and calls only to bridge the gap between the two. For four months this hospital affair continued and love blossomed courtesy a damaged hand.
On 14 February 1952 Meena Kumari, 18, and Kamal Amrohi, 34, secretly got married in a simple “Niqah” ceremony in the presence of a Qazi and Kumari’s younger sister, Mahliqa (Madhu). Kept a secret for sometime, it was only during a leak that parents of Meena Kumari learnt of the marriage.
The father recommended a divorce. Meena Kumari remained adamant on her decision, but stayed in her father’s house. On August 14, 1953, on the pretext of filming another movie, Meena Kumari drove to Bombay Talkies and worked in front of her husband’s camera for the film Daera. The father from that day shut his doors for Meena. She went on to stay with Amrohi at Sion.
Meena Kumari as a star scripted history. During a career spanning 33 years, she starred in about 92 films like Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Pakeezah, Mere Apne, Aarti, Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Foot Path, Dil Ek Mandir and Kaajal. Kumari’s depiction of the struggle of Indian women was considered masterclass.
She won four Filmfare Awards in the Best Actress category and was the recipient of the inaugural Filmfare Awards. At the 10th Filmfare, the 13th Filmfare she was well received, Kumari won her last Best Actress Filmfare award for Kaajal.
Three weeks after the release of Pakeezah, Meena on 28th March 1972 was admitted to St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home.
Popular as the tragedy queen or female Guru Dutt she breathed her last on 31st March 1972.
She died on Good Friday that year due to liver cirrhosis. As per Kamal Amrohi’s wish, she was buried at Rahematabad Qabristan at Narialwadi, Mazgaon, Mumbai. Kamal Amrohi died February 11, 1993 in Mumbai, and as per his wish was buried next to Meena Kumari’s grave.
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