Meena Kumari’s 85th anniversary: TV actresses pay tribute to the Pakeezah legend

Hailed as one of the best actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Meena Kumari epitomised beauty and talent in its highest form. Born as Mehjabeen Bano, she began working at the age of four. Her repertoire of 92 films includes some classics like Pakeezah, Mere Apne, Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, Baiju Bawra and others. The industry says that the best of actors like Dilip Kumar would be nervous performing before the diva. Meena Kumari was one of the highest paid actresses of her time and received praise from Indian and foreign media. Indian cinema’s tragedy queen, Meena Kumari never used glycerin to shed tears. Her best known film is Pakeezah where she portrayed the role of a nautch girl, Sahibjaan. It was made by her husband, Kamal Amrohi with whom she separated after a while. Meena Kumari’s poetry was as inspiring as her Bollywood work. On her 85th birth anniversary, TV actresses talk about their love for the diva…

Tejasswi Prakash
Meena Kumari is inspiration. She is the only heroine to have all the nominations in the Filmfare awards. She was called the Chinese doll! With her droop of curl dropping on her face, combined with an anguish-laden voice. Even her portrait speaks a lot. I wish to get those gestures from her. (Also Read: Pehredaar Piya Ki Review: Tejasswi Prakash and Afaan Khan’s show is not a cringe-fest as we imagined it to be)

Helly Shah
Meena Kumari is an icon. There is so much to learn from her. As an artist I want to act like her, the way she performed brilliantly. She was addicted to books. She use to  enjoy reading books and writing poems and ghazal. I can’t relate myself to her but having similar hobbies makes me blush.

Amrapali Gupta
I have watched Meena Kumari’s films seriously and later try to copy her act. Her acting, gestures and the way she carried herself is incomparable even today. Such beauty, grace and aristocracy.

Devoleena Bhattacharjee
Meena Kumari is inspiration for all. Her seductive voice and charismatic screen presence captured millions of hearts. From passion, romance, love, success to tragedy – she witnessed all of it in her real life too. No one from Bollywood can match her standards even today. (Also Read: Saath Nibhana Saathiya actress Devoleena Bhattacharjee to have backbone surgery)

Mahika Sharma
Though I can’t think of relating myself with her beauty and talent, I feel I share some personality traits. She was described to get bored at such events, so I do. I also read she had decorated her house mostly with white objects and use to love white outfits. So even I love white. When you can relate somehow to the person you admire that gives you happiness. She is really inspiring.

Yuvika Chaudhary
Meena Kumari is inspiration to every female Indian actress. She taught that even an actress is entitled to liberty and democracy in showbiz. She made it clear that without heroines a films is baseless, as they owns all the emotions. Love, romance anything. I’m fan of her songs, especially Ajeeb Dastan Hai Yeh.

Meena Kumari’s legacy is insurmountable and her fan girls belong to different eras. Stay tuned to Bollywood Life for more scoop and updates…