Meena Kumari, the legendary Bollywood actress, dominated the industry during the 1950s and 60s. Known as the ‘Tragedy Queen of Bollywood,’ she delivered some of the most memorable performances that continue to resonate deeply with cinema enthusiasts. On her birth anniversary, we commemorate this iconic actress. Her life has often been described as a mysterious paradox, a complex and intriguing narrative that defies easy explanation. This enigmatic quality perhaps contributed to her effortless portrayal of roles imbued with deep emotions and complexity.
Born as Mahajabeen to Ali Baksh and Iqbal Begum on August 1, 1933, Meena Kumari made her Bollywood debut at the age of six in 1939. It is widely believed that she was compelled to enter acting to provide financial support for her family. She later appeared in films like Baiju Bawra, Pakeezah, Parineeta, Kajal and Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam, all are proof of her effortless acting and her sobriquet of Tragedy Queen.
According to media reports, when Meena Kumari was born, her father was not happy because he wanted a son. After the birth of a daughter, he did not have money to pay the doctor and left the baby at the door of an orphanage. But halfway back home, he regretted his decision and went back and brought his daughter home. Meena Kumari’s married life was a living life as well. The actress had married director Kamal Amrohi.
Before marrying Meena Kumari, Kamal had been married twice and was the father of four children. According to media reports, Meena Kumari’s father disapproved of her marrying a man who was already married and had children. He tried to persuade her against the marriage, but when she refused to comply, he expelled Meena from the house and severed ties with her. According to reports, Kamal had put many conditions in front of Meena Kumari to marry her. Madly in love, Meena had accepted his conditions happily. Kamal had said that she should not sign a film with any other director, should not wear revealing clothes, should reach home before 6 pm and no man should come in the makeup room. Meena Kumari accepted these conditions.
According to Vinod Mehta, the author of Meena Kumari’s biography, she endured physical abuse in her marriage. While Amrohi consistently denied these allegations, Mehta reported that six different sources confirmed her suffering. She also suffered three miscarriages and could never become a mother. Meena Kumari soon separated from Kamal Amrohi. Meena Kumari suffered from chronic insomnia. Following her physician’s advice, she began taking a small peg of brandy as an alternative to sleeping pills. After her separation from her husband in 1964, this prescribed peg of brandy escalated into heavy drinking.
The legendary actress died of cirrhosis of the liver at the young age of 38.
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