W9- India- Actresses and Early Cinema
Indubala. 1899, Amritsar, India -1984, (85).
Credits from 1932-1950.
Credits from 1932-1950.
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- Actress
- Additional Crew
Pramila was born on 30 December 1916 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Bhikharan (1935), Achhut Kanya (1936) and Tofani Taruni (1931). She was married to Manicklal Dangi, M. Kumar and Nari Ghadiali. She died on 6 August 2006 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1916-2006. (89).
26 credits, 1931-1992.- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Padmini was born on 12 June 1932 in Thiruvananthapuram, Travancore, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Kaajal (1965), Thillana Mohanambal (1968) and Poove Poochudava (1985). She was married to Dr. K. T. Ramachandran. She died on 24 September 2006 in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.1932-2006. (74).
123 credits, 1933-2002.- Shashikala Jawalkar was born on 4 August 1932 in Solapur, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Gumrah (1963). She was married to Om Prakash Saigal. She died on 4 April 2021 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1932 -
160 credits, 1936-2005. - Actress
- Music Department
- Director
Bhanumathi Ramakrishna was born on 7 September 1925 in Doddavaram, Madras Presidency, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Laila Majnu (1949), Chandirani (1953) and Chandirani (1953). She was married to P.S. Ramakrishna Rao. She died on 24 December 2005 in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.1925 - 2005. (80).
83 acting credits, 1939-1998.
36 music credits.
14 Director credits
10 producer credits
2 composer credit
1 writer credit.- Dina Pathak was born on 4 March 1922 in Amreli, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Bollywood/Hollywood (2002), Devdas (2002) and A Passage to India (1984). She died on 11 October 2002 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1922-2002, (80).
155 credits, 1948-2003. - Nalini Jaywant was born on 18 February 1926 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Kala Pani (1958), Munimji (1955) and Jadoo (1951). She was married to Prabhu Dayal and V.C. Desai. She died on 22 December 2010 in Chembur, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1926-2010. (84).
58 credits, 1941-1986. - Actress
- Producer
- Music Department
Arguably the most beautiful artiste to ever grace the Indian screen, Madhubala rose from humble beginnings to become the most captivating star India has ever produced. Madhubala was born Mumtaz Jehan Begum on Valentine's Day 1933, in a poor, conservative family of Pathan Muslims in Delhi, a part of a prolific brood of sisters, and entered the world of films at the tender age of eight. After about five years of playing child roles, Madhubala got her first break in a lead role in Neel Kamal (1947), produced anddirected by her mentor, veteran filmmaker Kidar Sharma. At the age of 14, she played a romantic lead against another fledgling star, Raj Kapoor, and Madhubala had finally arrived on the Indian screen. Over the next two years she had blossomed into a truly rapturous beauty (which earned her the sobriquet of the Venus Of the Indian Screen) and with the movie Mahal (1949), literally overnight, she was a superstar.
It has been often said that her beauty overshadowed her acting talents, which to an extent is true; however this was more due to poor judgement than lack of talent. Being encumbered by a large family to support, and forever living under the domination of an imperious father who, she made several poor choices in movies which seriously undermined her credibility as a serious performer, to the extent of being labelled "box-office poison". However, her more or less dismal repertoire in the 50s was marked by spots of true brilliance - movies like Tarana (1951), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) and of course her swansong Mughal-E-Azam (1960) showcased her remarkable talents as a serious artiste across several genres and revealed what this ethereal beauty was truly capable of.
Sadly, she was plagued by a persistent heart disease that confined her to a bed for almost nine torturous years, and eventually claimed her life on February 23 1969, nine days after her 36th birthday. In this short life, she had made over 70 movies, and to this day remains one of the most enduring legends of Indian cinema.1933-1969. (36)'
75 credits, 1939-1971.- Actress
Nargis was born on June 1, 1929 as Fatima Rashid in Rawalpindi, British India, daughter to Jaddanbai and Uttamchand Mohanchand, a former Hindu Mohyal Brahmin who converted to Islam as Abdul Rashid. Her mother was a well-known dancer, singer, actor, composer, and director. This is what paved the way for Fatima to become a child artiste (Baby Nargis) as early as 1935. She was the half-sister of Bollywood actors, Anwar Hussain and Akhtar Hussain.
Nargis, and actor Raj Kapoor formed a reel romantic couple. It is well known that they had an off-screen romance. Raj, who was already married, refused to divorce his wife and marry Nargis.
After playing the mother of Sunil Dutt in the movie 'Mother India', she subsequently married him on March 11, 1958 . She had three children, namely Bollywood actor, Sanjay Dutt, and two daughters, Priya, and Anju. Her son Sanjay was married to actress Richa Sharma, who passed away due to cancer. They have a daughter named Trishala. His second wife was Rhea Pillai whom he subsequently divorced. He is now married to Manyata Dutt, formerly known as Dilnawaz Shaikh. They are the parents of twins, Iqra and Shahraan. Her daughter, Anju, is married to Bollywood actor, Kumar Gaurav, who is the son of actor Rajendra Kumar. Her husband, Sunil, Dutt, went on to win a seat in the Indian Parliament, and after his passing, their daughter, Priya, won his vacant seat.
Nargis passed away due to pancreatic cancer on May 3, 1981.1929-1981. (51).
53 credits, 1935-1968.- Actress
- Music Department
Mala Sinha, born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), India, is a legendary Indian actress who has left an indelible mark on the Hindi film industry. Known for her grace, versatility, and powerful performances, Mala Sinha became one of the leading actresses during the golden era of Bollywood.
Mala Sinha's journey in the world of cinema began when she won a beauty contest, leading her to a debut in the Bengali film "Roshanara" (1952). She made her mark in Hindi cinema with her first film, "Badshah" (1954). However, it was her performance in "Anpadh" (1962) that brought her widespread recognition and acclaim. Mala Sinha's portrayal of an illiterate woman seeking education showcased her acting prowess and set the stage for a successful career.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Mala Sinha delivered stellar performances in a wide range of films, displaying her versatility as an actress. Her notable works include films like "Hariyali Aur Rasta" (1962), "Dhool Ka Phool" (1959), "Gumrah" (1963), and "Himalay Ki God Mein" (1965). She often played characters with depth and emotional complexity, earning her accolades from both audiences and critics.
Mala Sinha's on-screen chemistry with leading actors of her time, including Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt, and Manoj Kumar, contributed to the success of many films. Her ability to portray various shades of characters, from the romantic heroine to the tragic figure, showcased her range as an actress.
Apart from her acting career, Mala Sinha has been associated with social causes and charity work. Her contribution to Indian cinema was recognized with several awards, including the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.
Mala Sinha's impact on the film industry continued into the 1980s, and even after her gradual withdrawal from the spotlight, she remains a respected figure in the history of Bollywood. Her timeless performances and the legacy she left behind continue to inspire new generations of actors in Indian cinema.1936-
121+ credits, 1950-1996.- Actress
Kumkum was born on 22 April 1934 in Sheikhpura, India. She was an actress, known for Mem Sahib (1956), Son of India (1962) and Naya Daur (1957). She was married to Sajjad Akbar Khan. She died on 28 July 2020 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.108 credits, 1947-1977.- Actress
- Music Department
Nimmi was born on 18 February 1933 in Agra, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India (now Uttar Pradesh, India). She was an actress, known for Arpan (1957), Barsaat (1949) and Alif-Laila (1953). She was married to S. Ali Raza. She died on 25 March 2020 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1932-
48 credits, 1949-2011.- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Suraiya was born on 15 June 1929 in Lahore, Punjab, British India [now Pakistan]. She was an actress and producer, known for Anmol Ghadi (1946), Jeet (1949) and Dastan (1950). She died on 31 January 2004 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1929-2004. (75).
67 credits, 1941-1963.
47 music department credits.
7 soundtrack credits.- Actress
- Costume Designer
- Music Department
The Empress of Indian Cinema!
A Sweetheart of 1950s, & The Undisputed Goddess of 1960s Bollywood, Meena Kumari bestrode the movies like few women in history have!
Combing enchanting grace, amazingly heart-melting expression, & consistently solid progressive content base, this Giant of Cinema will remain immortal as perhaps the greatest feminine incarnation of filmdom!
Born in 1933 into a poor Parsee theatre family of Ali Bux and actor-dancer Prabhavati Devi (converted to Iqbal Begum) (Prabhavati's mother's first husband till death, incidentally, being the cousin of Rabindranath Tagore, Prabhavati in turn borne of her second husband, a very famous Urdu poet of Meerut, from where she migrated to pursue a career in music) in Bombay, Maharashtra, India, she entered films to support her family in difficult times.
She was six when hired for Leatherface (1939) in 1939 by Vijay Bhatt and named Baby Meena. Later she became Meena Kumari when cast for Bhatt's Baiju Bawra (1952).
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". They separated in 1964.
She was also an accomplished Urdu writer and had several poems published by Gulzar after her death. She battled alcoholism and loneliness and finally died, alone, in 1972.1932- 1972, 39
48 credits, 1949-2011.- Actress
- Director
- Music Department
Leela Chitnis was born on 9 September 1909 in Dharwad, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Kangan (1939), Sadhna (1958) and Chhaya (1936). She was married to Dr. Gajanan Yeshwant Chitnis. She died on 14 July 2003 in Danbury, Connecticut, USA.1909-2003. (93).
105 credits, 1935-1987
1 Director credit
1 producer credit.- Actress
- Music Department
Waheeda Rehmaan combined the classic Tamil-Islamic beauty with an extraordinary grace, talent and a truly transcendent appeal that ranked her among the pantheon of Bollywood's elite actresses. And few could dance better than she could!
She was born into a traditional Tamil Urdu speaking Muslim family on 3 February 1938, in Chengalpattu,Tamil Nadu. Growing up, she was trained in dancing, especially the Bharatnatyam dance. Her first films were Jayasimha (1955) and Rojulu Marayi (1955), both in Telegu and Kalam Mari Pochu in Tamil. These films became a huge success and established her as a hit-heroine, but it was a song Eruvaaka Sagaroranno Chinnanna in the Rojulu Marayi that got Rehman recognition in South. During success party of Rojulu Marayi, Guru Dutt noticed her and cast her in CID. The result was one of the most stunning debuts ever made in a Hindi film. As a mysterious woman named Kamini, she added a thrill to the whole film and it remains one of the most seductive and memorable roles of her career.
Amazed (and enraptured) by her beauty and talent, Guru Dutt cast her in 5 films. Thus, Rehman gave a mesmerizing performance in Thirst (1957) as Gulab, the prostitute with a heart of gold, and she stole the hearts of audiences as Jameela, a shy Muslim girl in the romance Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960). But by then she was involved in an affair with Guru Dutt and this affair led to the disintegration of Dutt's marriage - and soon the two of them broke apart after their last collaboration, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962).
Moving on after Guru Dutt, Rehman worked with the acclaimed director Satyajit Ray in The Expedition (1962) and consolidated her position as a top Bollywood star with her commercial successes Bees Saal Baad (1962) and _Kohra (1964)_. With Devanand she did 7 films and 5 were super-hits. Then she did _Guide (1965/I)_ - a film that took her to the peak of her career. In the conservative 1960s, Rosie was a daring role for Waheeda to play, and yet the gamble paid off - her performance as Rosie, a woman who leaves her husband for her lover, is ranked as her best ever! And to think that when she did the film, she was certain she would never, ever be able to do another film again!
She had commercial films like Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Patthar Ke Sanam (1967) proved to be huge successes and had 4 hits with Sunil Dutt in 60's Ek Phool Char Kaante, Mujhe Jeene Do, Meri Bhabhi and Darpan but her offbeat films Teesri Kasam (1966) and Reshma Aur Shera (1971) bombed, in spite of her critically acclaimed performances in those films. Her 3 films with Rajendra Kumar though critically acclaimed became box-office flops and her films with Dharmendra between 1967-1973 bombed. Then she acted in Khamoshi opposite Rajesh Khanna which became her career's biggest hit.In 1974, Rehman married Kamaljit, her hero in Shagoon(1964) a businessman who had earlier tried to make it in films and moved to Bangalore.
After her marriage she cut down acting assignments, preferring to market her own brand of breakfast cereal and lead a contented life in a Bangalore farmhouse. She turned to supporting roles and did 24 films as supporting actress from 1976-1994. After her husband's death in 2000, she again started appearing in 9 films as elderly woman.1938-
88+ credits, 1955-2017.- Actress
- Writer
Kokila was born on January 4, 1931 in Valsad, Gujarat, India, in the Gujarati-speaking Balsara family.
She was married to Kamal Roy at a very young age, and shortly thereafter in 1946 both husband and wife decided to make a career on the silver screen. They traveled to Bombay, both applied, but only Kokila was chosen to act in a Gujarati movie, Ranakdevi, followed by Amar Raj, and Gunsundari in 1948. She was primarily effective in creating the Gujarati film industry. This is how Nirupa Roy was born.
She went on to act in many movies, initially as the leading lady then in various roles of a variety of Hindu Goddesses, so much so that people actually lined up to seek her blessings. From 1970s on she was type-cast to play the role of the mother for a number of leading actors, from Dev Anand to Amitabh Bachchan. She was perhaps the only actresses to have played the role of mother to Dharmendra and his son, Sunny Deol, albeit in different movies. In 1955 she acted as Dev Anand's mother, even though she is about 8 years younger than him.
A Capricorn, she then went on to act in movies like Do Bigha Zameen, Tangewali, and Garam Coat, a brand of movies which later came to be known as 'realistic movies'.
Her success has been reflected in 3 awards from 1955 to 1964 for her role in Munimji, Chhaya, and Shehnaai. She is also known for her trilogy with Bharat Bhushan namely Kavi Kalidas, Samrat Chandragupt, and Rani Rupmati.
But her most memorable role was yet to come in Deewar, opposite Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh. Dialogues for this movies, as like Sholay, are still remembered and talked about.
Throughout her career of over 60 years in movies, she has acted in over 250 movies. she did slow down considerably in the 1980s, but did make a comeback in 1999 with Lal Badshah.
Her marriage with Kamal Roy resulted in the birth of a son, Kiran, and 2 daughters. She was known to be very close to her son.
She was very friendly with yesteryear actress Shyama. She received one more award in 2003.
Her end came quickly on October 13, 2004, at the age of 73, when she passed away after a cardiac arrest in Bombay.
She will always be remembered, not only as the 'mother of Bollywood' for her roles in movies like Gunsundari, Rani Rupmati, Deewar, Amar Akbar Anthony and many others.1931-2004. (73).
296 credits, 1946-1999.- Actress
- Additional Crew
She was born Ruby Myers in Pune and was working as a telephone operator when she was approached by Mohan Bhavnani of Kohinoor Films to work in films. Though excited by the offer, she turned him down as acting was regarded as quite a dubious profession for women those days. However Bhavnani persisted with his offer and she finally agreed, despite having no knowledge of acting whatsoever. She became a star under Bhavnani's direction at Kohinoor before moving on to the Imperial Film Company where she became the highest paid movie star in the country.
Among her popular films were Typist Girl (1926), Balidaan (1927) and Wildcat of Bombay (1927) where she essayed eight roles including a gardener, a policeman, a Hyderabadi gentleman, a street urchin, a banana seller and a European blonde!
Three romantic super hits in 1928 - 29 with director RS Chaudhari - Madhuri (1928), Anarkali (1928) and Indira BA (1929) saw her at her peak of fame in the silent film era. In fact so widespread was her fame that when a short film on Mahatma Gandhi inaugurating a khadi exhibition was shown, alongside it was added a hugely popular dance of Sulochana's from Madhuri, synchronized with sound effects.
With the coming of sound Sulochana suddenly found a lull in her career, as it now required an actor to be proficient in Hindustani. Taking a year off to learn the language, she made a grand comeback with the talkie version of Madhuri (1932).
Further talkie versions of her silent hits followed and with Indira (now an) MA(1934), Anarkali (1935) and Bombay ki Billi (1936). Sulochana was back with a bang. She was drawing a salary of Rs 5000 per month, she had the sleekest of cars (Chevrolet 1935) and one of the biggest heroes of the silent era, D Billimoria, as her lover with whom she worked exclusively between 1933 and 1939. They were an extremely popular pair - His John Barrymore style opposite her Oriental 'Queen of Romance' image.
But once their love story ended so did their careers. Sulochana left Imperial to find few offers forthcoming. Newer, younger and more proficient actresses had entered the scene. She tried making a comeback with character roles but even these were far and few in between.
However, she still had the power to excite controversy. In 1947, Moraji Desai banned the Dilip Kumar - Noor Jehan starer, Jugnu, because it showed such a morally reprehensible act as an aging fellow professor falling for Sulochana's vintage charms.
In 1953, she acted in her third Anarkali, but this time in a supporting role as Salim's mother. She acted in Khatta Meetha (wife of Soli Bhai)
She finally passed away lonely and forgotten in 1983 in her flat in Bombay. A sad end for the woman who once became famous for drawing a larger salary than the Governor of Bombay and who even acted in a film named after her - Sulochana (1933)!- Actress
- Additional Crew
Achala Sachdev was born on 3 May 1920 in Peshawar, North-West Frontier Province, British India. She was an actress, known for Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995). She was married to Clifford Douglas Peters. She died on 30 April 2012 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.1920-2012. (91).
166 credits, 1950-2008.- Actress
- Additional Crew
Sahibzadi Zohra Begum Mumtaz-ullah Khan, better known as Zohra Sehgal, was born into a Sunni Muslim Rohilla Pathan family of Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, on 27th April, 1912 in Rampur, Uttar Pradesh, India. However, unlike most other children of traditional households, Zohra Sehgal was a tomboy, who enjoyed climbing trees and playing games. Always rebellious, she saw in her teens Uday Shankar perform in Dehra Dun, during a vacation there, and that acted as the turning point of her life.
She traveled all the way across India, West Asia and Europe by car with an uncle who was close to her. On her return, she was sent, clad in a burqa, to Queen Mary's Girls College, Lahore, a place of higher learning for daughters of aristocratic families. After she finished her college, she joined Uday Shankar's dance troupe, and traveled to Japan, West Asia, Europe and America. During this time, she met Kameshwar Sehgal, a Hindu and eight years younger to herself, and fell in love with him. After initial opposition from her parents, the couple got married, and in spite of Kameshwar's willingness to convert to Islam to marry Zohra, nobody insisted on it. The two had a civil marriage in August 1942. (As Khushwant Singh noted, Jawaharlal Nehru was to attend the wedding reception, but he was arrested a couple of days earlier for supporting Gandhi's Quit India Movement.
The couple first worked in Uday Shankar's dance institute at Almora.When it shut down, they migrated to Lahore and founded their own Dance Institute. However, the growing communal tension prior to the Partition of India made them feel unwelcome, and they went to Bombay, where Zohra joined Prithviraj Kapur's theater as a stage actress and worked there for 14 years.
They had two children, who had the choice of being Hindu or Muslim. For a while they accepted both, then discarded them. By that time, Zohra became an atheist. Her husband was all along a 'non-religious' man.
Zohra had acted on the stage in different parts of India, including plays performed for jails inmates. According to Khushwant Singh, she once stayed back to witness an execution in the Ferozepore jail after staging a play there.
After her husband's suicide, Zohra first moved to Delhi, and then went to London. When she did not get roles as a dancer or an actress, she took on odd jobs like working in the India Tea Centre. Then she got her first break in the films and was signed by Arthur Rank and Merchant Ivory productions.
In India, she became well-known after the appeared in the TV series Mullah Naseeruddin. She has since appeared in many Bollywood as British (mostly British Indian) movies.1912-2014. (102).
55 credits, 1946-2007.- Actress
Shyama was born on 7 June 1935 in Lahore, Punjab, British India. She was an actress, known for Sharada (1957), Khazanchi (1958) and Aar-Paar (1954). She was married to Fali Mistry. She died on 14 November 2017 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.134 credits, 1935-1989.- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Savitri, also known as Savitri Ganesan, was an Indian film actress, director, producer, singer and race car enthusiast who predominantly worked in Telugu and Tamil cinema. She also worked in Malayalam, Hindi, and Kannada movies. Starring in more than 250 films. "Mahanati" (i.e.,) Greatest of all actresses by the Telugu Cinema and famously referred to as the "Nadigaiyar Thilagam" (i.e.,) Doyenne of all actresses by the Tamil Cinema. Her performance in the 1957 Telugu Epic film "Mayabazar" skyrocketed her to stardom.
Savitri was born on 6 December 1934 in a Telugu family in Chirravuru, Guntur district of present-day Andhra Pradesh.Her father died when she was six months old, after which her mother took Savitri and an older sibling, Maruti to live with an aunt and uncle. Her uncle, Kommareddy Venkataramaiah enrolled her in classes when she began to show a talent for dance.
Savitri acted in dance dramas as a child, including some work with a theatre company run by Jaggayya. She made an unsuccessful speculative trip to find film work in Madras at the age of 14 when she was deemed to be too young to play heroine roles, but in 1950 was cast as the female lead in Samsaram. That role did not become actuality because she became too excited, necessitating numerous retakes and eventually her replacement in the part. She was given a minor speaking role in the film and in the next year had two more minor roles, in Roopavati and Patala Bhairavi, before getting her big break as the second heroine in Pelli Chesi Choodu. She, later on, was propelled to stardom with critically acclaimed roles in blockbusters such as Devadasu and Missamma.
Savitri won several awards for her performance. She also received the prestigious Rashtrapathi Award. In 2011, the Government of India issued a postage stamp in commemoration of Savitri.
While Savitri was married to Gemini Ganesan, the couple separated in the meantime. They had two children together. Savitri passed away in 1981 after slipping into a coma for 19 months; she was suffering from diabetes and hypertension.1937-1981. (44).
182 credits, 1950-1985.
3 Director credits.- Leela Mishra was born on 1 January 1908 in Jais, United Provinces of Agra and Oudh, British India. She was an actress, known for Sholay (1975), Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Prince (1969). She died on 17 January 1988 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.1908-1988. (80).
279 credits. 1937-1996. - Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Nutan Samarth was born on June 4 1936 to poet Kumarsen Samarth and his actress wife 'Shobhana' as the eldest of their four children (a younger sister is the actress Tanuja Samarth). Her parents separated when she was a small child. 13-year-old Nutan made her debut in K. Asif's "Hamari Beti". She was a beauty queen as well, being crowned Miss Mussorie in 1952. Success at so young an age was trying, and Nutan temporarily quit films in the 50s to move to Switzerland. She returned, married Commander Rajnish Bahl, and began the most innovative and successful faze of her career. She made her mark as a versatile actress able to portray comedy, drama, and romance with equal skill. Nutan was awarded a record-breaking 5 Filmfare awards for Best Actress and one for Outstanding Performance. Her career declined during the 70s and 80s and she spent much of her time collecting rare artefacts and spending time with her family. Nutan died of cancer in February 1991.1936-1991. (54).
90 credits, 1950-1994.- Kanchana was born on 16 August 1939 in Madras, Madras Presidency, British India. She is an actress, known for Arjun Reddy (2017), Daana Veera Soora Karna (1977) and Alakh Niranjan (1975).1939 -.
47+ credits, 1957-1988. - Durga Khote was born on 13 January 1905 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Mughal-E-Azam (1960), Bidaai (1974) and Anand (1971). She died on 22 September 1991 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.1905-1991. (86).
170 credits, 1931-1986 - Actress
- Music Department
Zubeida was born in 1911 in Surat, India. She was an actress, known for Heer Ranjha (1970), Heer Ranjha (1928) and Rashk-e-Laila (1934). She was married to Maharaj Narsingir Dhanrajgir Gyan Bahadur. She died on 21 September 1988 in Bombay, India.1911-1988. (77).
41 credits, 1924-1989.- Suchitra Sen was born on 6 April 1931 in Pabna, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Pabna, Bangladesh]. She was an actress, known for Aandhi (1975), Saptapadi (1961) and Devdas (1955). She was married to Dibanath Sen. She died on 17 January 2014 in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.1931-2014. (82).
61 credits, 1953-1978. - Actress
- Director
- Producer
It was only natural that Shobha Khote strayed into show business. Her father, Nandu Khote, was a star on stage and in the silent movies. Durga Khote, a famous movie personality of the yesteryear, was her aunt. The huge family home at Bombay's Chowpatty was always full of guests.
"I had a happy, carefree childhood," she says. "Ours was a big, joint family and most of my cousins were boys. I used to play with them, run around, climb trees and was an acknowledged tomboy." She studied at St Teresa's Convent, Girgaum, and graduated in English Literature from Wilson College.
Life in college was quite exciting to Khote and her brother Viju, another well-known stage, TV and screen actor. She took to swimming and cycling, excelled in both games and set up a new record for the one mile in cycling.
"My family was sports-minded," recalls Khote. "Father had built a gymnasium in the house itself. Many of his friends spent time there exercising. I Lent a lot from him. He taught that one can learn hard work, sincerity and team spirit from sports."
Both at school and college, Khote made occasional appearances on stage.
It was fun, but I just took it casually," she says. As Khote made her name in sports, her photographs began appearing in the newspapers and magazines. Well-known director Amiya Chakraborty sent his distributor friend, Kamath, to invite Khote for a screen test. Khote recalls with a giggle, "When Kamathsaab arrived, I was in tomboy outfit, with hair flying all round. He did not think much of me and reported back to Amiyada," Fortunately, Amiya Chakraborty was not convinced and after meeting her, cast her in his Seema.
The role was a challenge. Seema, which starred Nutan and Balraj Sahni was not the run-of-the-mill Hindi movie, and Khote was pitted against two highly sensitive and intelligent artists. But she came out with flying colors. "Amiyada told me he wanted a different kind of actress for the role, who would be natural. I fitted the bill. In fact, he did not even give me screen test," says Khote.
She also had a score to settle with veteran actress Leela Chitnis, who along with her two songs, was producing a movie. Chitnis offered Khote the lead role, on condition she would not work elsewhere for the next five years.
"My father did not agree to this condition," she recalled. "In fact, I had cut my hair for the role and even rehearsed enthusiastically for some weeks. And when they dropped me, I wanted to show them the loss was theirs."
Filmistan offered her roles in Paying Guest and Champakali. PG was a big hit but Khote did not enjoy her role, which was too negative for her liking. "I disliked the role so much that I refused to watch the movie?" She saw it on video much later.
A sportswomen, did she enjoy acting?
Okay, she nods. "Basically, I was fun-loving and liked to be with people. Because of my family background, I had no problems in the film world."
She did another film, Dekh Kabira Na Roya with Amiya Chakraborty, who later died of a heart attack. It wasa shattering blow, because Chakraborty had been her friend, philosopher and guide.
"He was very good in casting," recalls Khote. "Even top stars like Dilip Kumar wanted to work with him and gave off their best in his films."
It was Chakraborty also who found she had a flair for comedy. Even her serious roles in his films had comic touches which were highly appreciated. And when Chhoti Bahen, an L V Prasad release from Madras, turned out to be a mega hit, Khote was earmarked for comic roles. And her famous pairing with comedian Mehmood began.
For the next six years, films starring Shobha Khote, Mehmood and Dhumal were highly popular and did roaring business at the box office. Sasural, Dil Ek Mandir, Dil Tera Diwana, Bharosa and several other films celebrated jubilees.
Even Khote's negative role have often been tinged with comedy, a case in point being the super hit, Ek Duje Ke Liye.
Her constant pairing with Mehmood were also grist for film industry gossip. Khote laughed.
"I know about it," she admitted. "Yes, we were together in so many films that people gossiped about us. But there was a wide cultural differences between us. Of course, I knew him very well but we were nothing but co-stars."
As tea arrived, we discussed the changing role for comedy on Hindi screen. Khote pointed out that comedians like Gope, Yakub and Bhagwan had been popular them having to resort to buffoonery. Again, during the 1960's and 1970's, the comedy on the Hindi screen was clean and depended mostly on comic situations.157 credits, 1956-2013.- Actress
- Music Department
- Soundtrack
Tun Tun was a prolific singer and comedienne appearing in over 100 Bollywood films. She began her career as a singer but was soon overshadowed by others. A heavy woman, she turned to comedy, using her weight to her advantage and continued her career as a comedienne. She died at the age of 76.1923-2003. (80).
365 credits, 1950-1991.- Actress
- Soundtrack
Helen was born in Burma to an Anglo Indian father named George Desmier and a Burmese mother named Marlene. Her father went missing during the Second World War. Her family migrated to India in 1942 as refugees in order to escape from the Japanese invasion of Burma. Helen was introduced to Bollywood in 1953 by the famous dancer Cuckoo. She got her break in 1958 when she performed the song 'Mera Naam Chin Chin Choo' in the movie Howrah Bridge. Helen rarely got roles as the lead heroine in movies. So, she opted dancing which proved to be her fortune. Throughout the 1960's, 1970's to 1985, she danced in more than 600 movies establishing herself as a prolific dancer. Her best performances are in films Pipili Saheb, Naya Aadmi, Halaku, Yahudi, Howrah Bridge, Uttamputhiran in Tamil, Bedard Zamana Kya Jane ,Sri Valli in Tamil, Hum Hindustani, Half Ticket, Hongkong, China Town, Woh Kaun Thi, Gumnaam, Kaajal, Jewel Theif, Yakeen, The Train, Caravan, Sange Muzhangu in Tamil, Zakhmee, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Ginny Aur Jhonny, Bairaag, Deewangee, Khel Khilari Ka, Inkaar, Don, Inteqaam, Kab Kyun Aur Kahan, Pagla Kahin Ka, Apradh, Mere Jeevan Saathi , Dil Daulat Duniya,Lahu Ke Do Rang, Shararat, Khamoshi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Her last few films for which danced Cabaret were Sawaal in 1982 and Pakhandee in 1984.
She was known for wearing different colors of wigs, contact lenses and skimpy outfits in her movies. In the late 1970's, her demand started diminishing because of her age along with the entry of younger dancers like Padma Khanna, Jayshree T, Bindu, Aruna Irani and Kalpana Iyer. In 1979, she won the best supporting actress award for her role as Vinod Khanna's Chinese wife in 'Lahu Ke Do Rang'. She officially retired from movies in 1984. She was married to director Prem Narayan Arora from 1957 to 1972 and she divorced him and later married screenwriter Salim Khan in 1981.1938, Burma -.
514+ credits, 1945-2012.- Actress
- Director
Sulabha Deshpande was born in 1937 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress and director, known for English Vinglish (2012), Investment (2013) and Virasat (1997). She was married to Arvind Deshpande. She died on 4 June 2016 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1937 - 2016. (79).
96 credits, 1971-2014.- Actress
- Music Department
Jamuna was born on 30 August 1936 in Hampi, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. She was an actress, known for Milan (1967), Kurukshetramu (1977) and Kurukshetra (1977). She was married to Juluri Ramana Rao. She died on 27 January 2023 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.1937 -.
126 credits, 1953-1996+.- Actress
- Director
Shobhna Samarth was born on 17 November 1916 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress and director, known for Do Diwane (1936), Be Kharab Jan (1936) and Naukar (1943). She was married to Kumarsen Samarth. She died on 9 February 2000 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.1916 - 2000, (83).
42 credits, 1935-1985.- Actress
- Make-Up Department
- Producer
Ashalata Wabgaonkar was born on 2 July 1941 in Goa, India. She was an actress and producer, known for Namak Halaal (1982), Jhoothi Shaan (1991) and Geeta (1940). She died on 22 September 2020 in Satara, Maharashtra, India.- Actress
- Director
- Producer
Shammi was born on 24 April 1929 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. She was an actress and director, known for Sangdil (1952), Ittefaq (1969) and Badal (1966). She was married to Sultan Ahmed. She died on 5 March 2018 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1931 -
219 credits, 1951-2012.- Actress
- Additional Crew
- Make-Up Department
Sitara Devi was born on 8 November 1920 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for Devdas (1936), Watan (1938) and Professor Waman M. Sc. (1938). She was married to K. Asif and Pratap Barot. She died on 25 November 2014 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1920-2014. (94).
20 credits, 1934 -- Actress
With seventy years in the film businesses, Lalita Pawar's long career began as a child in the silent era and continued into leading lady roles, but she is best remembered for her years as a character actor.
Lalita was born Amba Laxman Rao Sagun, the daughter of a wealthy silk merchant. While visiting a film studio, young Lalita requested being photographed so she could see herself on film. The director was so impressed with her screen presence that he asked for her to take a role in his next movie.
In 1942, while filming a scene which required her character to be slapped, she was struck too hard across the face. The accident compounded with a severe reaction to the medication administered, damaged her eye and left her with a noticeable permanent squint. This event marked the end of her leading lady status.
In her late twenties, she began taking on character roles. She eventually became known and praised for portraying overly-domineering matriarchs. She won the Filmfare Award for her supporting role in Anari (1959), and was nominated a further three times in the best supporting actress category.1916-1998. (81).
345 credits, 1928-1998.- Cinematographer
- Actress
Anna Salunke is known for Satyavadi Raja Harishchandra (1917), Buddha Dev (1923) and Satyanarayan (1922).- Gohar Jan was born on 19 November 1910 in Lahore, Punjab, British India. She was an actress, known for Radha Rani (1932), Devi Devayani (1931) and Prabhu Ka Pyara (1936). She was married to Chandulal Shah. She died on 28 September 1985 in Bombay, Maharashtra, India.
- Actress
- Director
- Writer
Born in 1892 and living a long time, until 1983, Fatma Begum spent only 16 years of that 91 year span working in film, but made a big impact as the first woman to direct a movie in India, in 1926.She was also an actress and a writer and founder of a production company, and came from a background in the Urdu language theater, her family of Muslim background having spoken that tongue.Three daughters later became actresses in their own right.6 credits, 1922-1925.
8 Director credits.
1 writer credit.- 22 credits, 1922-1949.
- Prabhadevi was born in Calcutta on the 12th of August 1903. She entered the stage at about the age of eight and went on to become one of the leading stage personalities of Bengal. Like most actresses of her time she acted in films, also, her first screen appearance being Matri Sneha (1923). She played lead characters in films like _Pally Samaj (1932)_ and _Sita (1933)_ . Continuing both on the stage and the screen she made more than one hundred films in big and small roles till almost the end of her life. Prabhadevi was also a poet of great strength and her works have been published as books. One of her daughters, Ketaki Dutta, was also a well known stage and screen personality. Prabhadevi breathed her last on the 8th of November,1952 after a brief illness.
- Dulari was born on 18 April 1928 in Nagpur. She was an actress, known for Paying Guest (1957), Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966) and Deewaar (1975). She died on 18 January 2013 in Pune.
- Gulab was born on 10 June 1908 in Jammu, India. She is an actress, known for Janjir Ne Jankare (1927), Kono Vank (1929) and Return of Mr. Superman (1960).
- Actress
- Music Department
- Producer
Kanan Devi was born in 1916 in Howrah, Bengal Presidency, British India. She was an actress and producer, known for Haar Jeet (1940), Parajay (1939) and Abhinetri (1940). She was married to Haridas Bhattacharya and Maitra, Ashok. She died on 17 July 1992 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.1916-1992. (76).
49 credits, 1926-1959.
40 music credits
11 producer credits.- 21 credits, 1926-1931.
- 49 credits, 1927-1974
- Actress
- Music Department
Menaka Devi was born in Varanasi in 1918. Her mother was a resident of the holy city although her father was from Bengal. Her interest in music and dance took her to Bombay where she starred in a couple of films like Prince Thaksen (1929), Uttara abhimanyu, Iswar Ki Maut and others as a child artiste. Reportedly, she met the legendary film director Debaki Bose of Bengal during a train journey and he was so impressed by her that he decided to cast her in the lead role of his next venture in the Hindi version of the bilingual Sonar Sansar (1936) and thus began the illustrous career of Menaka. Her devotion to work was such that she learnt Bengali, her mother tongue although she was anything but fluent in it having spent all her life till then outside Bengal, so that she could play the same role (that of Alaka) in the Bengali version also. Dhiraj Bhattacharya was her first hero on the screen. P.C.Barua, who was on the lookout for a young and fresh face to play Jharna in his forthcoming production Mukti (1937) selected her for both the versions and a flow started whereby she starred in films like Adhikar (1939), Abhigyan (1938), Bardidi (1939), Rajat Jayanti (1940) and others. She decided to try her luck in Bombay around 1944 and starred in more than twenty films there and definitely made her presence felt although playing the second lead most of the time. Kishore Sahu procured her services for Hamari Duniya (1952). She turned producer also and this proved her undoing. Both her films as producer, Apna na Huye Apne and Jeene Do, both starring herself with prominent Bombay stars flopped. She returned to Calcutta a broken woman and found to her dismay that roles were not coming to her. She joined the MG Enterprise, a drama group of Molina Devi and performed on the stage to continue to live as an actress. She even arranged magic shows along with husband Pannalal Srivastava while small roles came pouring in films like Ekti Raat (1956) and others. The feature that strikes even today while seeing her performance is the spontaneous nature of her acting. Why good roles eluded her is a mystery. She was last seen on the screen in Bhombal Sardar (1983). Her end came in 2004 after a prolonged fight not only against poor health but also poverty. Her death was reported only in one Bengali daily although her death news received good coverage on television.1918-2004. (85).
37, credits, 1929-1983.
4 music credits.- Actress
- Music Department
Molina Devi was born in 1916. She was an actress, known for Abhagin (1938), Badi Didi (1939) and Bindur Chheley (1952). She was married to Jolu Boral and Gurudas Bannerjee. She died on 13 August 1977 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.1916-1977. (61).
91 credits, 1930-1978.- Actress
Jillo was born in 1905 in Bombay, India. She is an actress, known for Draupadi (1931), Veer Abhimanyu (1931) and Mother India (1957).- Credits : 1931-1943.
- 32 credits, 1932-1979.
- Actress
- Music Department
Indubala's mother was Rajabala, who along with sister Matibala and brother Tinkary worked in Motilal Bose's The Great Bengal Circus, also known as Bose's Circus or Professor Bose's Circus. Harimati was the eldest sister of Rajabala and had a different life. Rajabala performed mainly as a trapeze artiste and got married to Motilal Bose at a temple in Ujjain, India. At the time he was then in his forties while Rajabala was still a teenager. The marriage was never accepted as legal by Motilal's family. Motilal Bose's first wife was Mrs. Annadamohini Devi. Indubala was born in Novenber, 1899 at Amritsar, where the circus party had gone for performance. Indu was born premature and Dr. Bidhumukhi Basu was taken to Amritsar from Calcutta to attend to Rajabala. Such was the affection and concern of the husband for his young wife. Motilal's interest in Rajabala dwindled later, supposedly because Rajabala showed no interest in going back to the circus after Indu's birth and soon she was left to fend for herself. She came to Calcutta with her daughter and was given shelter by a Jiban Krishna Ghosh, who remained loyal to her till his death and also played a major role in establishing Indubala in her life as a performer. Once in Calcutta, Rajabala trained herself as a singer and Indubala's first training in music was from her mother. The initial plan was to train Indu as a nurse and she was admitted as a trainee in a hospital in the Pataldanga locality of Calcutta. Indu did not take fancy in the job and ran away from the hospital, much to the disappointment of her mother, who never wanted her only daughter to be forced into a life of indignity. After this incident Indubala's musical training started. Although her father ignored wife Rajabala completely, he remained fond of his daughter and kept in touch with her and often invited her to his ancestral home where he lived during his brief visits to Calcutta and sent her a monthly pocket money of Rupees twenty till his death. Indubala's first performance was at a gathering of distinguished guests where her mother was the chief entertainer. Each one of the guests appreciated Indu's singing and thus began her formal training from Gouri Shankar Mishraji. Indu was only about twelve then. This also marked the entry of Indubala into the red light world. Amongst her trainers were Kali Prasad Mishra, Elaahi Bux and Miss Gauhar Jaan. Apart from music, Miss Gauhar Jaan, credited as Prima Donna of India, Indu also learned etiquette from the elder artiste and developed a close friendship with her. This association provided Indu with valuable musical knowledge and experience.
In later years she took training from Girin Chakraborty, Kamal Dasgupta, Subal Dasgupta, Jamiruddin Khan and Kazi Nazrul Islam. In time she came to be one of the major exponents of Nazrul songs and her songs along with those of Miss Angurbala and Kamala Jharia are still referred to for authenticity of lyrics and tunes of Nazrul songs. In 1916, Indubala recorded her first songs. She was brought into the record circle by Bhagabati Charan Bhattacharya and Mr. Manindra Nath Ghosh, alias Mantababu, himself a gramophone singer of repute. The first songs published as record were Asha Phuraye Gelo, Sindhu Khambaj and Aar Mukhey Boley Ki Hobey, Kedara. The record number was P 4306. In the beginning she did not take any money from the Gramophone Company and as such was credited in the records as Miss Indubala (Amateur). She was not the first amateur artiste of the company but enjoyed the privilege of announcing her name at the end of each song saying "My name is Indubala". The amateur status continued for a fairly long period. Later on she received Rupees two hundred per record and also received a royalty of five per cent over the sales. Her first songs of Nazrul on the disc were "Cheyona Sunayana" and "Rumjhum Rumjhum Ke Eley Nupur Paye". The record number was P 11661. To Indubala also goes the credit of being the first Bengali artiste to record Hindustani songs for the Gramophone Company. For the Indian State Broadcasting Center, later named All India Radio, Indubala first sang on the second day of the radio company's broadcasting in 1927 in Calcutta and went on singing in this medium for nearly fifty years. Over the radio, Indubala sang not only from Calcutta but from several other stations by special invitation all over India. Apart from discs and the radio, Indubala was well established by the thirties in cultural functions all over India. Frequent invitations used to come from Shahjahanpur, Pakur, Madras, Bangalore, Palanpur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Oudh, Trivandrum, Vizagapattam, Ajmer, Qoembatore, Dacca and several other places. In 1936 she was appointed court musician to His Highness, The Maharajah of Mysore. She received a monthly salary of Rupees two hundred and fifty and this continued till the time when the native princes faced withdrawal of privy purse. In all Indubala had recorded some two hundred and eighty songs, including about two hundred forty basic songs, the rest being from films. Indubala's first stage appearance was in The Rambagan Female Kali Theatre, established by her mother Rajabala in 1922. Both mother and daughter took part in the plays and Indubala appeared in about twelve plays in this short-lived company which lasted for only two years and in 1924 she joined Calcutta's most prestigious stage, The Star Theatre. She continued to appear on the stage mainly in singing roles and her songs were a major attraction in each of the plays. By rotation she acted in all the public theaters of Calcutta and even took part in the Hindi Parsee Theatre in 1945 and 1946, the plays being Ghar Ki Laaj and Jasoos. Her last appearance in the public stage was in the play Prithviraj in the role of Mehga at Star Theatre in 1950. Thereafter she worked in call shows till almost 1958. Jamuna Puliney (1933) has been credited as her first film. This is probably because this was her first film contract although Ankh Ka Tara (1932) released before Jamuna Puliney. In all she acted in about forty eight films in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil languages. In most of them, she had songs as a major attraction or else did comic roles as in Bengali Indira (1937) and Hindi Deewali (1940) to name a few. She did the role of Dhai Ma in both the versions of Swamsidhha (1947). Thereafter she was not seen on the screen. As a playback singer she lent her voice in films like Alibaba (1937), Chandragupt (1934) in Hindi, Ab E Hayat (1933) in Urdu and Dil Ki Pyaas (1935) also in Urdu. She did not act in these four films. Indubala did not receive any major award apart from the Gold Disc given on behalf of His Master's Voice. The government of India never considered her name for any award. The Sangeet Natak Academy however honoured her with a lifetime achievement award in 1975. The government of West Bengal, India however did arrange for a pension for which a lot of running about had to be done. In personal life, Indubala was most humble and polite and bold in her behavior and was never ashamed to admit or discuss her origin. Even when established as a major singing artiste with an all India fame, she refused to move out to a respectable place leaving her residence in Rambagan, a notorious red light area of Calcutta. Indubala was got herself involved in voluntary work for the uplift of fallen women and worked actively for their rights in society through various organizations, which were patronized by top political leaders of the time. She had some interesting hobbies like writing poetry and collecting perfumes. Even at old age all the empty perfume bottles were kept within her view. She was fond of jewelery too and had a great collection, either purchased or gifted by admirers. These valuables vanished when she was too unwell to keep track of them. Her contemporary artiste Miss Angurbala was a close friend with whom she confided and shared the joys and sorrows of life and this friendship lasted till the very end. Indubala adopted a nephew of her mother's friend Jiban Krishna Ghosh. The boy's name was Pranab Ghosh. This foster son did not look after her mother very much when in old age Indubala suffered from conditions like cataract and then paralytic stokes. It was Dr. Badan Sengupta who made necessary arrangement for her treatment She could not afford nursing homes and therefore was treated at state government hospitals in all occasions of illness. The end came on the thirtieth day of November, 1984 after a prolonged illness during which again Dr. Badhan Sengupta looked after her as his own mother. Perhaps by coincidence her friend Angurbala died the same year.1899-1984. (85).
25 credits, 1932-1950.
12 music credits.- Although her usual place of work has always been Calcutta, Rajlakshmi was born in Meerut in the then Northern Provinces of India in 1902. She received training in music and dance before joining the professional stage in Calcutta in 1930. The play was Grihaprabesh by Tagore. From then on she became a regular actress of the Bengali stage and finally joined films, her first movie being Palli Samaj (1932). She carried on as a successful stage actress and also took part as a character artiste in films and went on to act in over two hundred films in different languages like Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Assameseetc. On the stage she came in contact with the legendary Sisir Kumar Bhaduri under whose training she performed in a great number of plays and in films she was mainly chosen for comic as well as villanous roles. As a person she was known in her circle as a most caring and gentle woman, loved by all. She met with a car accident while returning from outdoor shooting of a Bengali film Jiban Jignasa (1971)and although she made a recovery it was never complete and she suffered from anaemia thereafter and kept indifferent health till the end on the 26th day of May, 1972.1902-1972. (70).
77 credits. 1932-1972. - Actress
Born on 2nd March 1932 in Mumbai, Purnima's father Ram Sheshadri Ayangar was a Tamil Brahmin who used to handle accounts at Manmohan Desai's film distributor father Kikubhai Desai's office. Purnima's mother was from a Muslim family of Lucknow. At home other than her parents there were five daughters (including Purnima) and a son. In the 1930's decade, Purnima's eldest sister Shirin Banu had also worked in films like Bambai Ki Sethani (1935), Passing Show (1936), Khwab Ki Duniya (1937), State Express (1938) and Bijli (1939). Shirin Banu was the mother of director Mahesh Bhatt and producer Mukesh Bhatt as well as the grandmother of actresses Pooja Bhatt and her step sister Alia Bhatt.
According to Purnima that era's well known director Raman B. Desai, who was also their neighbor, had offered Purnima 'Radha's' role in his Guajarati film 'Radheshyam'. Purnima was still in school at that time. For the film, her elder sister Shirin Banu, gave her the alias 'Purnima' in place of her real name 'Meher Bano'. The film 'Radheshyam' was released in the year 1948 and at that time Purnima was merely 16 years old. According to Purnima, "My first Hindi film was Kidar Nath Sharma's Thes (1949), where I was playing the second lead." Featuring Bharat Bhushan and Shashikala Jawalkar in the main roles, this film was released in the year 1949.
According to the senior film historian Shri Harish Raghuwanshi, in the year 1948 i.e. a year before Thes (1949), Purnima had acted in two Hindi films 'Manager' and 'Tum Aur Mai' and in 1948 other than 'Radheshyam' she had also worked in Director Raja Yagnik's Gujrati film 'Saavaki Maa'.
After Thes (1949), Purnima saw two more releases in 1949 viz. 'Narad Muni', and Patanga (1949), where she was seen playing the second lead in both the films. While Raman B. Desai,'s Gujarati and Hindi bilingual film 'Narad Muni' and Kidar Nath Sharma's Thes (1949) could not create much box office magic, Producer Bhagwan Das Varma's film Patanga (1949) proved to be very successful. Composed by C. Ramchandra, two songs of this musical hit film 'dil se bhula do tum hamein' and 'o jaane waale tone armanon ki duniya loot li' were filmed on Purnima and after the film's release Purnima's schedule became very hectic.
Punima's second husband Bhagwan Das Varma, whom she married in 1954, was a famous Producer-Director of his time who had many successful films like Patanga (1949), Sagai (1951), Badal (1951), Aurat (1953), Parbat (1952) and Pooja (1954) under his banner of 'Varma Films'. Bhagwan Das Varma passed away in 1962.
According to Purnima, she acted in almost 200 films in a career spanning more than five decades. Her only son worked in Air India. Shakila, Saira Banu and Dulari were her friends. Since Shakila, Saira Banu stayed close to Purnima's house they kept meeting quite regularly.1932 -
105 credits, 1933-1997.- Actress
- Music Department
Chandrabati Devi was born on 19 October 1909 in Bihar, India. She was an actress, known for Karnarjun (1941), Meerabai (1933) and Suktara (1940). She was married to Bimal Pal. She died on 29 April 1992 in Calcutta, West Bengal, India.1909 - 1992, (82).
55 credits, 1933-1974.- Actress
- Music Department
Kannamba was born on 20 September 1913 in Cuddapah, Andhra Pradesh, India. She was an actress, known for Draupadi Vastrapaharanam (1936), Talliprema (1941) and Todi Kodallu (1957). She was married to Kadaru Nagabhushanam. She died on 7 May 1964 in Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.1913 - 1964, (50).
64 credits, 1934-1974.- Actress
- Music Department
A major stage and film actress of Bengal, Ranibala's origin, like that of most of her contemporaries was in the red light areas of Calcutta. She entered films with Bilwamangal in 1933 and played heroine (Chintamani) in her very first appearance. Her sweet voice made her an automatic choice for singing roles in films as well as the stage. Her films included Bekar Nashan, Gora (1938), Sarbajanin Bibahotsab (1938), Haranidhi, Taruni (1934), Prafulla, Talkie of Talkies (1937) to name a few. Towards the end of her career, Satyajit Ray took her services for _Aparajito (1957)_ and The Philosopher's Stone (1958), the latter being her last major work where she also sang for herself. Ranibala has a good number of gramophone records to her credit. She died young in 1956 when she was only 42. Apart from being a remarkable actress and singer, she is remembered for her warm and friendly nature.26 credits, 1934-1965.
5 music credits.- 67 credits, 1936-1971.
- Pushpavalli is known for Vara Vikrayam (1939), Mohini Bhasmasura (1938) and Paduka Pattabhishekham (1945).19 credits, 1936-1967.
- Suprava Mukherjee is known for Ratnadeep (1951), Shap Mochan (1955) and Bhagaban Shrikrishna Chaitanya (1953).32 credits, 1937-1956.
- Actress
- Additional Crew
40 credits, 1938-1988.
4 miscellaneous credits, choreography.- Reba Devi was born on 11 February 1911 in Dacca, Bengal Presidency, British India [now in Dhaka, Bangladesh]. She was an actress, known for Pather Panchali (1955), Suktara (1940) and Kavi (1949). She died on 14 November 1988.Bangladesh.
1911 - 1988, (77).
29 credits, 1940-1972. - Actress
- Producer
Pratima Devi was born in 1933 in Udupi, Karnataka, India. She was an actress and producer, known for Anokhi Ada (1948), Victoria No. 203 (1972) and Sawan Aya Re (1949). She was married to Shanker D. Singh. She died on 6 April 2021 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.113 credits, 1942-1959.- Sriranjani was born on 22 February 1927 in Narasaraopeta, Andhra Pradesh, India. She was an actress, known for Shri Krishna Tulabharam (1955), Sri Krishnarjuna Yudham (1963) and Bhishma (1944). She was married to Nagamani. She died on 27 April 1974.1927-1974. (47).
35 credits, 1944-1974 - Actress
- Producer
- Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Cuckoo was born in 1928. She was an actress and producer, known for Barsaat (1949), Andaz (1949) and Amber (1952). She died on 30 September 1981 in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.1928-1981. (53).
93 credits, 1947-1964.- T. Kirshna Kumari was born on 6 March 1933 in Naihali, West Bengal, India. She was an actress, known for Sati Savitri (1965), Yashoda Krishna (1975) and Yashoda Krishna (1975). She was married to Ajay Mohan Khaitan. She died on 24 January 2018 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.1933 -
140 credits, 1951-2003. - Actress
- Additional Crew
Sujata Rubener was born on 3 February 1918 in Bombay, Bombay Presidency, British India. She was an actress, known for The Merry Widow (1952), Caribbean (1952) and Flame of Calcutta (1953). She died on 2 January 1993 in Sedona, Arizona, USA.1918 - 1993, (74).
India. USA.