Meena Kumari – Full Detail
Basic Information
Real Name: Mahjabeen Bano
Screen Name: Meena Kumari
Date of Birth: 1 August 1933
Date of Death: 31 March 1972
Age at Death: 38 years
Birthplace: Bombay (Mumbai), India
Nationality: Indian
Profession: Actress, Poet, Playback Performer
Religion: Islam
Known As: “The Tragedy Queen” of Indian Cinema
Early Life
Meena Kumari was born in a poor family in Mumbai. Her father, a theatre artist, and mother, a stage actress, struggled financially. To support her family, she entered the film industry as a child artist under the name Baby Meena. Her natural acting talent and expressive eyes soon made her stand out.
🎥Acting Career
- Began acting as a child in mythological films.
- Rose to fame with “Baiju Bawra” (1952) — a breakthrough role that earned her critical acclaim.
- Her emotional performances and poetic dialogue delivery gave her the title “Tragedy Queen.”
- Known for portraying complex, sorrowful, and strong female characters.
Notable Films
- Baiju Bawra (1952)
- Parineeta (1953)
- Azaad (1955)
- Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)
- Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960)
- Chitralekha (1964)
- Kaajal (1965)
- Mere Apne (1971)
- Pakeezah (1972) – her final and most iconic performance
Awards and Recognition
- Filmfare Award for Best Actress multiple times.
- Nominated for Best Actress four films in a single year (1963) — a record in Indian cinema.
- Honored posthumously as one of the greatest actresses in Hindi film history.
- Remembered for her mesmerizing voice, poetry, and emotional depth.
Personal Life
- Married film director Kamal Amrohi. Their relationship faced many challenges, leading to separation.
- Battled emotional struggles, loneliness, and alcoholism in her later years.
- Passed away in 1972 due to liver cirrhosis, just weeks after the release of Pakeezah.
- Died with very little wealth despite her massive fame — symbolizing the tragedy she often portrayed on screen.
Legacy
- Meena Kumari remains a timeless symbol of grace, pain, and poetic beauty.
- She inspired countless actors and filmmakers with her artistic depth.
- Her life and performances are studied even today as examples of cinematic excellence.
- Often remembered as the “Poetess of Pain”, she wrote Urdu poetry under the pen name Naaz.
