Meena Kumari

She had taken interest in newcomer Rahul from the film Raaz (1967). She was promoting him to all producers. His real name was Mahinder and he was from Jalandhar India.

They separated in 1964. She was also an accompalished Urdu writer and had several poems published by Gulzar after her death.

At the Filmfare Awards 1963, she was the only one nominated in the category Best Actress in a Leading Role. She was nominated for three of her performances in three different films - an achievement still not accomplished by any other actress at the Filmfare Awards.

She did mythological films with Homi Wadia and then comedies like Miss Mary (1957). She became personified as the archetypal good Hindu wife through many roles, long suffering and always true to the man. She excelled at tragedy and was often shown in a white sari carrying the film with her emotive acting. She was also thought to be the only actress who could sell a film on the strength of her name alone.

Her major films are Daaera (1953), Baiju Bawra (1952), 0046164, and of course her most well known film, Pakeezah (1972). She was married to Kamal Amrohi with whom she started making "Pakeezah".

Later she became Meena Kumari when cast for Bhatt's Baiju Bawra (1952).

She was six when hired for Leatherface (1939) in 1939 by Vijay Bhatt and named Baby Meena.

Born 1933 into a poor Parsee theatre family of Ali Bux and dancer Iqbal begum in Bombay, Maharashtra, India. Entered films to support family in difficult times.