Saluting the beautiful and talented leading ladies of yesteryears ....

DEVIKA RANI

She is considered to be the 'First Lady' of the Indian cinema.Grand niece of Rabindranath Tagore she was truly a great beauty..........discovered by Himanshu Rai, who she later married . They together set up the
Famous" Bombay Talkies Studio " beginning with a murder mystery 'Jawani ki hawa' in which Devika Rani
played the lead.........thus began a successful film career...

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Some of her most memorable films were

Karma
Jawani ki hawa
Achoot kanya( with Ashok kumar considered to be a classic and a landmark in the history of Indian cinema)
Izzat
Jeevan naiyya
Durga
Savitri
Anjaan
Hamari Baat

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Himanshu Rai died in 1940,after which she took control of Bomabay Talkies and kept the banner flying high with hits such as Kangan, Bandhan Jhoola, Kismet, Punarmilan...
In 1945 she quit films to marry the noted Russian painter Dr Svetoslav Roerich and retired to a life of domesticity, in their sprwaling estate 'thatguni' in Bangalore, where she lived till her death in 1994,but maintained her link with the film industry...
She was honoured with the " Padmashri" in 1958, and she became the first film personality to be awarded he Dada Sahab Palkhe Award in 1969.

Devika rani photographed a few years before her death....
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plss fel free to post your comments, feedbacks and any additional information......

i have no idea abt her nationality..she married to himanshu roy(i guess),they both started a film company..she was the actress of those films..later she even eloped with one of her actor,but come back and the actor was replaced by ashok kumar

Devika Rani is best remembered for her discovery of DILIP KUMAR. I think she can also be credited as being the First Lady of the Silver Screen and the person who actually kissed her screen hero.

Her tragedy lies in the fact that after her second husband (ROERICH's) demise she found herself surrounded by money-grubbers. Her employees were out to grab chunks of large estate in Bangalore. I wonder now what has happened to her large estate.

Despite being an actress of the Thirties, she was most accomplished and modern in every sense.

NASIR.

She gave Indian cinema's first 'smouldering' smooch with her first husband Himanshu Rai in the 1933 film Karma if I am not wrong.

Her second husband Dr.Svetoslav Roerich the Russian painter who made his home in India..... I his paintings especially his landscapes.
The Kulu valley has never looked so beautiful as when he painted them.

Here's a painting he did of his celebrated wife entitled ‘Mme Devika Rani Roerich’.

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Noorie

She was Indian, of course..... did elope with Najam ul Hussain, the hero of her film Jawani ki Hawa....


Thank you for those inputs nasir......apparently Devika Rani suggested Muhammad Yousuf Khan to change his name to DILIP KUMAR........the rest is history
After the legal battle the estate is now in the hands of the State government and as can be expected, is badly maintained...it is a huge place covering 468 acres ....

some views of the Tataguni estate owned by Devika Rani and Roerich....
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You are absolutely right about the " Smouldering smooch" ...........what a lady!!!
She was a student of architecture in London and met Himanshu Rai there, where she had agreed to design
the sets for his film production....

Apparently,Roerich was not only an artist but was an environmental engineer with imagination and technical skills......had adopted rainwater harvesting nearly 50 years ago in the estate...
I have seen this place recently and though it is in a state of neglect one can see traces of Roerichs brilliant planning and vision....


That is S.M Krishna the the previous chief minister of Karnataka garlanding the statue of Svetoslav Roerich
at the inaguration of Dr.Roerich's centenary celebrations, attended by the Russian Ambassador..in Oct,2003Click to view attachment

Great people. Great information. Great painting.
Thanks Noorie and Reeth.

Reeth, regarding Yusuf Khan, actually three names were suggested: JAHANGIR, VASUDEV and DILIP KUMAR (quoting from memory). It was the name DILIP KUMAR that created history.

NASIR.

Cudn't but wonder did sumone do a numerological study b4 Yusuf Khan chose the present name of Dilip Kumar?

Most wannabe 'stars' of today even on the small screen take 2 the numerological route when their celestial stars start failing them.

Noorie

dunno why she is called first leading lady of indian cinema..there were actresses before her too..ruby mayors(sulochana),who later played mother's roles too...was established actress
and what abt durga khote,shobhana samarth(i guess they made their debut at same time)
may be devika rani can be called first leading lady of talkies...

Actually, it appears that an astrologer had already predicted that Yusuf Khan would become "NUT' at which he was taken aback. Now we know that it was not NUT in crazy sense, but the Hindi word NUT meaning PERFORMER.

There have been others with the name of DILIP'S. But they could not become the darling of the nation.
Dilip Kumar was destined to be what he was, and what he is - namely the Emperor and Original Legend of the Bollywood industry.

NASIR.

Did you know that it was Devika Rani's b'day on the 30th of March? That was yesterday!

Here is some more info on her gathered from the Net:

D.O.B - 30th March 1908

Devika Rani came from a distinguished background, grand-niece of the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore, her father, Col. M.N. Chaudhuri, was the first Indian Surgeon-General of Madras.

She completed her early schooling in the early 1920s. She then studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) and the Royal Academy of Music in London where she won scholarships. In addition, she studied architecture, textile and decor design and apprenticed under Elizabeth Arden.

She married Indian producer and actor Himansu Rai in 1929. Together they starred in Karma the first Hindi sound film. They soon founded Bombay Talkies whose films challenged the caste system.

There she met Himanshu Rai and agreed to design the sets of his first production Light of Asia (1925).
They got married and after marriage they left for Germany where Rai made A Throw of Dice (1929) in collaboration with Germany's famous UFA Studio.
Rai made a bilingual Karma (1933) with Devika Rani in the lead and the two came to India. Here Rai and Devika Rani set up the famous Bombay Talkies Studio.

Under the painstaking supervision of Himanshu Rai, it purchased the most modern equipment from Germany. Franz Osten, director and a handful of technicians came down from England and Germany. By 1935, stream of Hindi productions began to emerge from Bombay Talkies Ltd. beginning with Jawani ki Hawa (1935), a murder mystery.

Devika Rani played the lead in most of these early productions. Their films were of a high technical standard and had a glossy look to them reminiscent of the films of MGM. (Devika Rani was lit up in a manner not unlike Greta Garbo!) In 1958, the President of India honoured Devika with a "Padma Shri". In 1970, she became the first recipient of the prestigious film prize Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

Devika Rani formed a successful team with Ashok Kumar, which ironically started due to a scandal as she eloped with her hero of Jawani ki Hawa, Najam-ul-Hussain. Rai found her and got her to come back and forgave her but not Hussain and Bombay Talkies Ltd. needed a new leading man. Rai's eyes fell on his laboratory assistant, Ashok Kumar.

The two of them starred in a series of films starting with Jeevan Naiya (1936) but it was Achut Kanya (1936), which capitulated Devika Rani and Ashok Kumar to big time fame. The love story between an untouchable girl and a Brahmin boy was both a critical and commercial success with critics going in raptures over Devika's performance.

Going with the trend she even sang her own songs in films with Main Ban Ki Chidiya with Ashok Kumar from Achut Kanya remembered till today. Devika Rani continued acting till 1943 and when Rai died in 1940 she took over the reins at Bombay Talkies. Among her discoveries at Bombay Talkies was Dilip Kumar.

But eventually the economics of filmmaking and tussles with other studio executives led her to take voluntary retirement. She married famed Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich and stayed at their huge estate near Bangalore in South India.

For her contribution to Indian Cinema, Devika Rani was the first ever recipient of the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award in 1970. She remained in Bangalore till her death in 1994. At her funeral Devika was given full state honours.

Here's a B/W still from one of her old movies.

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Noorie

More info: Reeth, I really enjoyed doing this.

Devika Rani Chaudhuri Roerich is not only one of the most colourful personalities of India, but the darling of film fans of more than two generations. She is a gifted artiste, well versed in the techniques of film making. Indeed, she is verily a symbol of Satyam, Shivam, Sundaram (Truth, goodness and beauty).

Daughter of Col.M.N.Choudheri, I.M.S., and Mrs.Leela Choudheri, she was born in Waltair. Her father had a distinguished medical career and was the first Indian Surgeon General of Madras.
She was educated in England and while at School, she received a scholarship from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Royal Academy of Music in London to study acting and music.
She took up the study of applied arts in London, specialising in textile designing and decor, and also studied architecture. At an early age, she was already earning her living as a textile designer at a leading art studio in London.

While in London in 1928, she met the well-known Indian producer Himanshu Rai who produced famous Indian films like "The Light of Asia", "Shiraz" and "A Throw of Dice" for Indian and international markets.
Mr.Rai persuaded Devika Rani to join his production unit, to further the cause of Indian films. She signed a contract in London with Mr.Bruce Wolfe who was then associated with Himansu Rai. She later returned to India with Himansu Rai and his English and German experts to work on "A Throw of Dice" which was scheduled for production for England, Germany and the Continent.

She worked on the costumes and sets of this production under the guidance of the art director Promod Roy and studied the art of production.
In 1929, she married Himansu Rai and returned with him to Germany. Mr.Rai was the only Indian producer with the famous German film concern U.F.A. in Berlin. At the U.F.A. Studios, Devika Rani learnt costumes designing, make-up, decor and other different branches of film production with special training in acting.
She apprenticed in the Eric Pommer production unit at U.F.A., where she studied the art and techniques of acting under the guidance of Germany's great director Pabst, and other famous directors.

She was a U.F.A. at the time of the epoch-making change over from silent to the talkie films, and with Himansu Rai had the rare opportunity of seeing and studying the various changes and experiments in the new talking pictures.
At the time, Devika Rani also acted with Himansu Rai in a play for U.F.A. which took them to Switzerland and the Scandinavian countries, where they were received with the highest honours.
She was also a student in the production unit of the famous State producer Max Heinhardt in Germany. From Germany, Devika Rani and Himansu Rai returned to India, to produce their first international talking picture "KARMA" in which Devika Rani, Himansu Rai, Princess Suda Rani of Burdwan and others acted. "KARMA" was produced both in English and Hindusthani and was completed at the Stall Studios in London. It was the first Indian talking picture in English and Hindusthani to be released in England and on the Continent as well as Indian.

"KARMA" was received with the highest approbation by the public of London. The premier was inaugurated by Lord Irwin and attended by the highest officials and England's most distinguished artiste. The same success was accorded to "KARMA" throughout Great Britain and wherever it was released.
The release of "KARMA" in India created a sensation, it was the beginning of a new era in Indian motion picture production.

It was in "KARMA" that Devika Rani established herself as a "star" of first magnitude.
During the screening of "KARMA", Devika Rani was honoured by an invitation of the B.B.C. at London to act in the first television broadcast in Britain which was relayed throughout the country. She was also chosen to inaugurate the first B.B.C. broadcast on the short wave length to India.

The Bombay Talkies Ltd., was founded by Himansu Rai and Devika Rani in 1934 in Malad, Bombay. It was a public limited company formed by eminent businessmen of Bombay including F.E.Dinhsaw, Sir Firoze Sethna and others. The advent of the Bombay Talkies gave an impetus to Indian films.
It was Himansu Rai's idea to attract to films the best elements of society as he believed that education and a cultured background where essential to achieve high standards in art.

The Bombay Talkies set a new standard in motion picture production in India on most up-to-date lines with experts from England, Germany, France who also trained young Indian men and women in the art and techniques of films production. It was responsible for a vast number of famous producers, directors, stars, musicians, writers, poets and technicians who even today rank among the best in the country.
Devika Rani was the star of the Bombay Talkies Ltd.

Her outstanding portrayals, her style of acting and new approach created a distinct form and tradition. She acted in numerous films, many of which have become classics of the Indian screen. Among her most famous pictures were "Jawani-Ki-Hawa", "Jeevan Nayya", "Achoot Kanya", "Savitri", "Jeevan Prabhat", "Durga", "Vachan", "Nirmala" and "Izzat".
She was acclaimed as India's greatest film actress, and was popularly known as the "First Lady of the Indian screen".

During this period, Devika Rani was the recipient of numerous honours, awards, medals and prizes from the film industry, the Press and the public.

After the death of the great founder of the Bombay Talkies Mr.Himanshu Rai in 1940, Devika Rani was made Controller of Production of the Bombay Talkies. She was a partner and also a producer of the concern. She was asked to assume the responsibility of management of the Bombay Talkies including the business.


As producer and controller of production of the company, Devika Rani continued the high standard of its productions with such outstanding success etc as in "Punarmilan", "Kangan", "Bandhan", "Basant", "Kismat", "Hamari Baat", etc.
The shares of the company rose to their highest level during this period. Among some of the outstanding artistes trained and presented for the first time on the screen during the period are such famous names as Leela Chitnis, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Mumtaz, Shanti, etc., as well as many outstanding technicians, producers, directors, story and screen writers and artistes who are among the most successful film personalities of today.

In 1945 at the height of her film career, Devika Rani decided to retire from the Bombay Talkies Ltd.

She married Dr.Svetoslav Roerich, she was a member of the Central Government Audio Visual Education Board. She was also nominated to the National Academy of Dance, Drama, Music and Films, the Sangeet Natak Akademi, Delhi, as a nominee of the Central Government and was a member of the Executive Board of the National Academy, Member of the Lalit Kala Akademi and the National Handicrafts Board and Member of the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.

On Republic Day, January 26, 1958, the President of India conferred the decoration of "PADMA SHRI" on Devika Rani for her valuable contribution to Indian motion picture.

On November 21, 1970, the Government of India conferred on Devika Rani the first Dadasaheb Phalke Award for her outstanding service to the film industry. Equally invaluable is the prestigious Soviet Land Nehru award conferred on her in 1989.


Here are some more stunningly beautiful stylized paintings of her by Roerich:

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Dreaming on

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The classically beautiful Indian face.

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The coy maiden look

Noorie

Thanks a lot noorie........the paintings are lovely......

Because of the contributions she made and her stature, Devika Rani was called the First Lady of Indian cinema
Pradeep has given details about all the mentioned actresses in his article 'Sirens of the 30's and 40's'
i am just adding a few photographs here....

Shobana Samarth( 1915 - Feb 9, 2000)

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Naseem Bano( 1916 - 2002) Considered to be one of the most beautiful actresses ,was popularly called 'Pari Chehra'...

With her daughter Saira bano & dilip kumar

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Kanan Devi ( 1916 - 1992 )One of the early singing stars..

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Khurshid ( 1912- 2001) singing star of the late 30's and the 40's ....Acted wih Saigal, Motilal...

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Sulochana or Ruby Myers ( 1907- 1983)She is one of the earliest female stars of Indian cinema..


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Nadia ( 1908 - 1996) popularly known as Fearless Nadia...of Scottish, greek parents...famous as a stuntwoman..

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NOOR JAHAN

( September 21, 1926 - December 23,2000)

Noor Jehan was probably the Biggest singing star ever...until independence, after which she moved to Pakistan...She came from Kasur area of Punjab( now in Pakistan) she entered films as a child artiste, and continued to act in many punjabi films. She was fully trained in classical singing...In 1939 she acted in a prominent role in a Punjabi film " Gul e Bakhavali " which brought her a lot of fame as an actress also as a singer, and then she acted in her first hindi film " Khandaan" with Pran, which became a huge hit.....

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with Pran in Khandaan....
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She married her Khandaan dirctor Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi, and shifted base to Bomabay....She became established as one of the four leading singing stars, the other three being Shanta Apte, Kanan Devi and Khursheed..
She acted in many hit films with hit music and was adored for both her acting and singing...
She reached her peak with 'Anmol ghadi' which had three singing stars......Suraiya , Surendra and Noor jehan herself......then came Jugnu with Dilip Kumar...
Anmol ghadi had Great songs like " Awaz de kahan..." " Jawan hai muhobat" and "Mere bachpan ke saathi".....and 'Yahan badla vafaa ka' sung with Mohammad Rafi' will be rememberd forever...

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with Surendra in Anmol ghadi
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with Dilip kumar in jugnu

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In 1945 she acted in a film 'Badi maa' with 'Baby Lata Mangeshkar' and 'Baby Asha Mangeshkar' in supporting roles...Noor jehan encouraged lata to sing and prdicted that she would become a sensational singer some day....
Lata mangeshkar admired and respected Noor Jehan . Lata's early singing was inspired by Noor jehan..
Some of Noor Jehan's memorable films wre
Khanddan
Badi maa
Dost
Village girl
Zeenat
Anmol Ghadi
jugnu
Mirza Sahibaan

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Noor Jehan migrated to Pakistan following partition...she wanted to be with the country where her birthplace Kasur was..
She went on to direct many films in Pakistan and sang many memorable songs...she hit the headlines many times for her many 'affairs' and marriages....
She came to India in 1982 to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Indian Talkie....
She was ailing for alnmost four years with protracted illness of the Heart and others and had to take treatment at various hospitals, and her last days were painful......On Dec 23, 2000, Noor Jehan died from Heart failure...leaving behind many Great memories and Melodies...

Excellent stuff Noorie ji n Reeth ji wonderful pics

Thanks so much REETH for those picture as well as information.
By the way, speaking of yesteryear actress, do you have anything on REHANA? I haven't seen her name being mentioned as yet since the time I joined HF a year ago.


NASIR.

Nasir this is what i found on the net about Rehana........

REHANA

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She appeared on the silver screen sometime in the late 30's acting in minor roles but soon took the cine world by storm....Made her major debut as a leading lady in "Hum Ek Hain" with Dev Anand...which was incidentally his first film too ...
With the exception of Dilip Kumar Rehana acted with all top heroes of her era...
Dilruba with dev Ananad
Sargam
and
sunehre Din with Raj kapoor
Cham chama cham with Kishore kumar
Sagai with Premnath
Actress with prem Adeeb
Adaa with Shekar

Some of the best Lata Mangeshkar songs were picturised on her...
Koi kisika deewana na baney.....Sargam
Zamaney ka dastoor hai yeh.....Laajawab
Tum kya jaano tumhari yaad mein.....Shin shinaki babla boo
Preetam mere duniya mein....Adaa
Mohobat mein aise .....Sagaai

Her memrable movies were...
Shehnai
Saajan
Sunehra Din
Sargam
Sagaai
Adaa
Dilruba
Shin shinaki babla boo....

After completing her last films in 1956," Delhi Darbaar "and "Qeemat ", she migrated to Pakistan....
She acted in a few films in Pakistan, but failed to impress......later married a film poducer...
She is widowed and leading a life of seclusion in pakistan now...

Reeth great job dost!

Who are you going to feature next?

Seems even the songs you mentioned above are all mellifluous. Not to speak of those well-known movies.
Of course I don't remember seeing those movies except SHIN SHINAKI BUBALA BOO as a very small kid at the Imperial Theatre or perhaps the Swatik. But don't remember a thing from it. The title song of this movie I do remember the line. I wonder whether this was a mythical movie and whether the swashbuckling RANJAN was her hero.

I specially asked for REHANA's info since my dad had informed me that he had purchased the house of Rehana before her migration to Pakistan.

NASIR.

[quote name='HumTum' date='Apr 7 2007, 02:59 PM' post='359306']
Reeth great job dost!

Who are you going to feature next?
[/quote]

Nargis...


[quote name='nasir' date='Apr 7 2007, 10:38 PM' post='359442']



NASIR.
[/quote]


Seems even the songs you mentioned above are all mellifluous. Not to speak of those well-known movies.
Of course I don't remember seeing those movies except SHIN SHINAKI BUBALA BOO as a very small kid at the Imperial Theatre or perhaps the Swatik. But don't remember a thing from it. The title song of this movie I do remember the line. I wonder whether this was a mythical movie and whether the swashbuckling RANJAN was her hero.

I specially asked for REHANA's info since my dad had informed me that he had purchased the house of Rehana before her migration to Pakistan.NASIR.
[/quote]

Nasir,Are you still in posession of that house??

NARGIS ( June 1 1929 - 3 May 1981)

Nargis was one of the Greatest Indian Actresses of all times...She is undoubtedly one of the most powerful actresses in Indian cinema....
She was the daughter of Mohanbabu, a mohyaul brahmin from Rawalpindi, Pakistan and Jaddanbhai, who was a singer/actress....

Made her debut in 1935 in Talash e haq, and her first adult role was in Mehboob khan's 'Taqdeer' in 1943, opposite Motilal.Then came 'Humayun' and with ' Andaaz' and later 'Barsat' in 1949 she became a superstar.


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With Dilip Kumar and Cuckoo in "Andaz"
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Nargis appeared in numerous movies with all the top leading actors Andaaz,Mela, Jogan,Babul and Deedar with Dilip Kumar... Off screen her affair with the already married Raj Kapoorwas a matching of soul and spirit....After Awaara in 1951 she began to work exclusively with him...they did Aag Beawafaa,Shri 420, and Chori Chori....She is supposed to have turned down the role of 'Aan'..
The passion they had for each other poured out on the screen as they romanced each other in several films..Nargis even went and met the then Home Minister Morarji desai to try and get him to sanction a marriage between her and Raj kapoor.The affair was doomed, as Raj kapoor never wanted to divorce his wife..By 1956 the pair had broken up......She however did a special appearence in his 'Jagte Raho' in 1956..

At the height of their romnce....Raj kapoor, Nargis in Shri 420...
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Raj kapoor Nargis in 'Awaara'...

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With raj kapoor and Dilip kumar in 'Andaaz
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With Raj Kapoor out of her life , Mehbob Khan offered her his Magnum opus " Mother India" in 1957.
Mother India is considered to be the ultimate tribute to Indian Womanhood! It was nominated for the Oscar, but lost by a solitary vote to Fellini's Nights of Caberia
While shooting for the film she was trapped amidst lit haystacks, was rescued by Sunil Dutt who was playing her rebellious son in the film....They fell in love during the making of the movie and married in 1958....
They have 3 children actor Sanjay Dutt, Priya and Anju...Nargis gave up acting after her marriage....
She came back with a Brilliant performance in 'Raat aur Din' expertly playing a woman with split personality winning the National award for the same in 1964..


Mother India.....some images...

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Her memorable films were
Mela
Anokha pyar
Aag
Lahore
Barsaat
Andaz
Pyar
Meena bazar
Jogan
Bewafa
Aashiana
Anhonee
Deedar
Amber
Shikast
Angaarey
Shri 420
Jagte Raho
Chori chori
Lajwanti
Ghar Sansar
Adaalat
Mother India
Raat aur Din....
She was the recipient of the Urvashy award the highest honour that can be conferred on a movie actress in India.
She was the first film personality to be conferred the 'Padmashri' and she was the first film personality to be given a Rajya sabha seat in parliament..
She has been honoured as the Best Artiste of the Millenium.......
Nargis died of Pancreatic cancer in 1981.....

[quote name='Reeth' date='Apr 10 2007, 03:53 PM' post='360284']
[quote name='HumTum' date='Apr 7 2007, 02:59 PM' post='359306']
Reeth great job dost!

Who are you going to feature next?
[/quote]

Nargis...


[quote name='nasir' date='Apr 7 2007, 10:38 PM' post='359442']



NASIR.
[/quote]


Seems even the songs you mentioned above are all mellifluous. Not to speak of those well-known movies.
Of course I don't remember seeing those movies except SHIN SHINAKI BUBALA BOO as a very small kid at the Imperial Theatre or perhaps the Swatik. But don't remember a thing from it. The title song of this movie I do remember the line. I wonder whether this was a mythical movie and whether the swashbuckling RANJAN was her hero.

I specially asked for REHANA's info since my dad had informed me that he had purchased the house of Rehana before her migration to Pakistan.NASIR.
[/quote]

Nasir,Are you still in posession of that house??
[/quote]

Not today. The fact is that he used to move a lot in and around Bombay itself. But during that period he had many filmy friends and I was a very small kid. Now since you have come up with Nargis..I'll disclose something in that section too.

NASIR.

I had seen Nargis closely for fleeting moments as a kid at a time when her romance with Sunil Dutt was flowering. (That would be 1957 or so). We were at that time staying at Napean Sea Road, Bombay. In my hazy memory I remember to have seen Sunil Dutt with a black Fiat and looked so dashing and handsome no doubt.
In my opinion, the break-up of RK-Nargis alliance was for the betterment of Nargis: She found true love in Sunil Dutt who had risked his life to save hers during the shooting of MOTHER INDIA - the episode that everyone knows about. It was otherwise too very courageous of Sunil Dutt to marry her since after having played the role of her son. That time some narrow-minded people did not fail to criticise him for playing the role of a son and then marrying her. But this was the happiest of star-couples.

NASIR.

Sunil dutt was a gentleman actor, i like watching his films, Humraaz, Waqt, Mera saaya and Chaaya are the few i have seen.........they must have been very happy together......and Nargis was the kind of person one looked upto, there was more to her than being just an actress....

Yes, Nargis was no snob and didn't have airs despite her very high standing in the film industry. Sunil Dutt was a doting husband. And yes, as you stated, he was a gentleman actor. That quality of his did not diminish even in his political field. Even as an MLA from Bandra to Versova area in Mumbai he was accessible to ordinary folks and did actual work for their cause. I used to attend his meetings in the playground of the VERSOVA WELFARE SCHOOL at 7 Bungalows, Mumbai where I had been then staying.

NASIR.

Wot on earth did she see in RK that she did not see in DK?

What she and RK felt or allegedly felt, there’s a name 4 that – infatuation.

Reason doesn’t work there.

Noorie

I assure you Dilip wudnt have married her.

What's a wedding ring got 2 do with 'true love'?

Noorie

You said "infatuation", and 4rom my experience that never lasts. Toughts?

Sum 'infatuations' last 4ever. Not all folks get 2 experience that.

Noorie

Lucky them.

Unlucky spouses though!

Noorie

Wot are we talking abt? I mean Im just guttted that DK didnt bed her and you're going on abt wot?

Welcome back YM .......... LOL you sound the same,but i like your new tame(d) look...........goes with the new image( much married?) Congrats buddy..

Very much so. Thanks.

Am gonna try and change myself now and hopefully it'll be 4 the better but baby steps tho Reeth

A Million Dollar question YAARMERE....
What indeed she see in him - a much married man while DK was the most eligible bachelor till as late he celebrated his 44th birthday.
This calls for analysis based on their performance together right from 1948 MELA, then 1949 ANDAAZ, JOGAN and BABUL 1950 and DEEDAR 1951, BABUL 1952 where Dilip keeps on losing her. So also in HULCHAL. Much has also to do with AAN 1952.

NASIR.

I guess at that stage ,Dilip Kumar had better things on his mind...

Sunil Dutt ji ka khayal aa gaya so I wont say anything now, otherwise damn Nargis.

Great news YM celebrations all round ....Change in what way??? hey don't change, just be what you are........

W8 untill you get married.

I'll tell you a story. few days back I came home and as soon as I turned the key to open the door my cousins were there, they're only kids, they came running (the ice-cream van was parked outside) and started pestering me "ice-cream, ice-cream le ke do" and Im like "pese nahi hai jao Sheetal (ever since I saw that Dilip film I vowed to called my wife by that name) mango." The elder 1 says: woh kyun hai? In a heartbeat I reply "bete woh jo nai kaam karnewali laye hein, woh" and while I was still sayin that I walked into the living room to find my in-laws sitting there. Needless to say that that I put myself in reverse gear and went out to get them their ice-cream. Its little things like that need changing.

you seem to be enjoying it.....good for you...

I guess we will never know. As they say love is blind. Other than the fact that Rk was married and DK was
bachelor, they were both powerful personalites. DK it seems could not decide who he wanted to be with.
If I am not wrong he had affairs with Kamini Kaushal (married ??), Madhubala etc. Just when people thougt
he would settle down with Waheeda Rehman ( would have been nice couple) he marries Saira??

The important point to note regarding DK and Nargis is that DK was paired with her as early as 1948. Maybe Nargis was a strong personality. So there was no chemistry at all. When you look at Kamini Kaushal she seems so pliable, so sweet and willing. The chemistry is evident there. Besides a spate of their pictures and all were hit. Regarding the story why he did not settle down with Waheeda it appears it has something to do with Naseem Bano, and one another male film personality... maybe. Regarding Madhubala, Dk truly was in love with her. But as Shakespeare says: The course of true love never doth run smooth. Regarding Vyjantimala, her pairing with DK was truly fabulous until RK's SANGAM came along. And there are so many shady stories there it seems.
But the fate willed that DK marry Saira. And what a lovely couple they made. They both deserved each other. Many film personalities could not even digest the thought. (A friend of mine who was in the Baraat did here some snide remarks from an eminent film personality). But as they say: KOI JAL GAYA AUR KISI NE DUA' DEE.....May this pair bloom for many many years to come.


NASIR.

The important point to note regarding DK and Nargis is that DK was paired with her as early as 1948. Maybe Nargis was a strong personality. So there was no chemistry at all. When you look at Kamini Kaushal she seems so pliable, so sweet and willing. The chemistry is evident there. Besides a spate of their pictures and all were hit. Regarding the story why he did not settle down with Waheeda it appears it has something to do with a mother who had her own dreams...... maybe. Regarding Madhubala, Dk truly was in love with her. But as Shakespeare says: The course of true love never doth run smooth. Regarding Vyjantimala, her pairing with DK was truly fabulous until RK's SANGAM came along. And there are so many shady stories there it seems.
But the fate willed that DK marry Saira. And what a lovely couple they made. They both deserved each other. Many film personalities could not even digest the thought. (A friend of mine who was in the Baraat did hear some snide remarks from an eminent film personality). But as they say: KOI JAL GAYA AUR KISI NE DUA' DEE.....May this pair bloom for many many years to come.


NASIR.

I was going through some very old Filmfare magazines......happened to read that Nasim bano was very keen on Saira tying the knot with Nawab of Pataudi, this was before Sharmila Tagore came into the scene....
she( Nasim Bano) was initially opposed to Saira marrying Dilip kumar bec of the vast age difference between the 2...22 yrs or so........no matter what,they look good together

Never heard of the Nawab of Pataudi angle, Reeth Though at one time word did go round that Rajendra Kumar was a contender and that hastened Nasim Banu to marry Saira off to Dilip Kumar.

At the time of her LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT Award, Saira confided to the audience that it was from the age of twelve that she wanted to marry Dilip Kumar. That scene was very poignant with Dilip Kumar literally in tears (SIGH!)

NASIR.

NASIR.

Wonder what everyone sees in RK? He’s hideous if you ask me.

Noorie

You seem highly Opinionated. !!!!

Raj Kapoor is todate one of the most popular Legend in HF.

A complete film maker if there was ever one in Bollwood.

One of the best Actor/director/producer.