Meena Kumari.
Mehjabeen Bano, also known as Meena Kumari, was a great actress of her time as well as a very good poetess. She worked in many great films and is still known as the Tragedy Queen. She is considered one of the best and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema. Meena started acting at the age of just 4 years. In her 33-year film career, Meena won the hearts of people with her brilliant acting in more than 90 films.
suffering in childhood
Meena Kumari was born on 1 August 1933 to Ali Bux and Iqbal Begum. Meena’s birth was not liked by her father at all, as Ali Bux wanted a son. After Meena’s birth, she was left in an orphanage, but after some time he changed his mind and took her back home. She was the second daughter of Ali and Iqbal and had two more sisters. The elder sister’s name was Khurshid Junior and the younger sister’s name was Mahalika.
Meena did her first film at the age of four
Meena Kumari was never fond of films nor did she ever think of working in films because Meena loved going to school and studying from the very beginning. Despite this, her parents used to take her to the film studio for work. Director Vijay Bhatt cast Meena in the film ‘Leatherface’ and she was given Rs 25 on the first day of work. ‘Leatherface’ was released in 1939. Meena did this film at the age of just 4 years. After the film, Meena was admitted to school, but due to working in films, Meena had to skip her class many times.
Meena Kumari.
Who was Meena’s father?
Meena’s father Master Ali Bux was a Sunni Muslim who had migrated from Bhera (now in Pakistan). He was a veteran of the Parsi theatre, playing the harmonium, writing Urdu poetry, composing music and also playing small roles in a few films. Meena Kumari’s mother Iqbal Begum, originally named Prabhavati Devi, was a Christian who converted to Islam after her marriage. Iqbal Begum was Ali Bux’s second wife. She was a stage actress before meeting and marrying Ali Bux and was said to be related to the Tagore family of Bengal.
Vijay Bhatt gave a new name
Meena Kumari initially worked in most of Vijay Bhatt’s productions, including films like ‘Leather Face’, ‘Adhoori Kahani’, ‘Pooja’ and ‘Ek Hi Bhool’. During the film ‘Ek Hi Bhool’, Vijay Bhatt changed Mehjabeen Bano’s name to ‘Baby Meena’. Ramnik Production’s film ‘Bachchon Ka Khel’ was made in Meena Kumari’s name. The biggest shock in Meena Kumari’s life was the death of her mother, who died on 25 March 1947. Meena also acted and sang songs in many films including ‘Duniya Ek Sarai’, ‘Piya Ghar Aaja’ and ‘Bichde Balam’. By the end of the 1940s, she had turned her attention towards mythological or fictional films. Meena got real recognition from the film ‘Baiju Bawra’.
Meena was suffering from liver cirrhosis, love remained incomplete
In 1968, Meena Kumari found out that she was suffering from liver cirrhosis. She died on 31 March 1972. After her death, her very close friend actress bore the expenses of Meena’s funeral. It is said that when Meena’s hospital expenses increased beyond limits, her ex-husband Kamal Amrohi disappeared. It is said that Dharmendra had a special place in Meena Kumari’s life and people liked the pair of both of them very much.
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