On Meena Kumari's birth anniversary, here are her 5 must watch films
Meena Kumari was and will continue to be the one and only tragedy queen of Bollywood. Her breathtaking performances in several emotional rollercoasters will forever be etched in the hearts of her fans. On her birth anniversary, here are some of her must watch films.
1/5
Meena Kumari’s 1972 film Pakeezah is undoubtedly her best work and among the most beautiful musical dramas ever made in the Indian cinema. The film was made by her estranged husband Kamal Amrohi, who began work on it in 1956 but put it on hold due to their differences in personal life. The two came together to complete the film in 1969 when Meena Kumari was extremely ill. The film wasn’t well received in theatres but went on to turn into a blockbuster after she died almost a month after its release in 1972.
2/5
Almost half a century before Vidya Balan's Parineeta, Meena Kumari played Parineeta in Bimal Roy's film Parineeta for the first time and won the hearts of the audience with her performance. She was praised for portraying the role as written by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay in the book of the same name.
3/5
Meena Kumari's 1962 film Saheb Biwi Aur Ghulam also played a contribution in establishing the actor as the tragedy queen of cinema. Directed by Abrar Alvi, the film featured Meena Kumari as the wife of a zamindar (Guru Dutt), who takes to alcohol in her efforts to keep him away from courtesans.
4/5
Meena Kumari once again played a tragedy queen in 1965 film Kaajal. Directed by Ram Maheshwari, the film also stars Raaj Kumar, Dharmendra, Padmini, Mumtaz, Mehmood, Durga Khote and Helen. Her character Madhavi suffers throughout the film and meets a tragic end.
5/5
Meena Kumari's 1952 film Baiju Bawra was a romantic musical which was one of its kind at the time with classical music as film music. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a success. It was directed by Vijay Bhatt and had music by Naushad.
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