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Economic Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
She outearned top Bollywood stars, met a Hollywood hearthrob but grandmother's decision led to lonely death
Suraiya was one of the biggest stars of Bollywood's golden era, earning more than legends like Dilip Kumar and Ashok Kumar. A gifted singer and actress, she captivated audiences and even caught the attention of Hollywood icon Gregory Peck, who visited her during a trip to India. Her relationship with actor Dev Anand ended after her grandmother disapproved of their marriage. Suraiya never married, stepped away from films at just 34, and spent the rest of her life in solitude. She died in 2004, remembered as a star who gave up everything but remained unforgettable. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads A Hollywood Encounter That Made Headlines Love, Defiance, and Heartbreak Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Early Exit from Fame and a Lonely End In the golden era of Hindi cinema, when male superstars ruled the industry, Suraiya emerged as a rare female icon who eclipsed even the biggest names of her time. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, she commanded higher fees than legends like Dilip Kumar and Ashok Kumar, earning her the reputation of being the highest-paid actress of her generation. Known for her graceful screen presence and soulful voice, she was referred to as Malika-e-Husn (queen of beauty) and Malika-e-Adakara (queen of acting).Suraiya didn't set out to become an actor. Born in Lahore in 1929 and raised in Bombay, she was introduced to the film world at a young age thanks to her maternal uncle, actor M. Zahoor. She first gained attention as a child singer on All India Radio, which led to her playback debut at the age of 12. Her acting career began by chance when she was cast as young Mumtaz Mahal in the film Taj Mahal (1941). From there, she became a household name with hits like Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Badi Behen (1949), and Dillagi (1949).In 1952, Suraiya's popularity crossed international borders. When Hollywood director Frank Capra visited India for the first International Film Festival, Suraiya gave him a signed photograph for actor Gregory Peck, whom she deeply admired. Much to her surprise, Peck later visited her home in Mumbai. The two chatted for over an hour, and their meeting became fodder for headlines, with the media fueling speculation about a budding romance. Though the rumors were unfounded, the encounter added a new chapter to Suraiya's already star-studded most talked-about relationship was with Dev Anand, a rising star at the time. Their love story began on a film set and quickly turned serious. Dev Anand even proposed to her, buying a diamond ring despite financial constraints. However, their relationship faced fierce opposition from Suraiya's maternal grandmother due to religious differences. Her grandmother not only rejected the match but went so far as to throw the engagement ring into the sea and demand romantic scenes between the two be removed from Dev Anand's willingness to leave the industry to be with her, Suraiya ultimately ended the relationship. She later admitted she lacked the courage to go against her family, even as she continued to carry the emotional weight of that decision throughout her life. She never breakup with Dev Anand marked a turning point in both her personal and professional life. Her subsequent films underperformed, and despite a brief comeback with Mirza Ghalib (1954)—a role praised even by Jawaharlal Nehru—her film Rustam Sohrab (1964) flopped. Disheartened, Suraiya chose to retire from the industry at just remained away from the limelight and lived with her mother until her passing. After her mother's death, Suraiya became increasingly isolated. She made no public appearances, never returned to playback singing or acting, and stayed out of media attention entirely. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 74 due to chronic health her life ended in solitude, Suraiya's legacy as a pioneer for women in Indian cinema remains unmatched. At a time when few actresses had bargaining power, she stood as a figure of strength and success.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
She outearned top Bollywood stars, met a Hollywood hearthrob but grandmother's decision led to lonely death
In the golden era of Hindi cinema, when male superstars ruled the industry, Suraiya emerged as a rare female icon who eclipsed even the biggest names of her time. During the late 1940s and early 1950s, she commanded higher fees than legends like Dilip Kumar and Ashok Kumar, earning her the reputation of being the highest-paid actress of her generation. Known for her graceful screen presence and soulful voice, she was referred to as Malika-e-Husn (queen of beauty) and Malika-e-Adakara (queen of acting). Suraiya didn't set out to become an actor. Born in Lahore in 1929 and raised in Bombay, she was introduced to the film world at a young age thanks to her maternal uncle, actor M. Zahoor. She first gained attention as a child singer on All India Radio, which led to her playback debut at the age of 12. Her acting career began by chance when she was cast as young Mumtaz Mahal in the film Taj Mahal (1941). From there, she became a household name with hits like Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Badi Behen (1949), and Dillagi (1949). A Hollywood Encounter That Made Headlines In 1952, Suraiya's popularity crossed international borders. When Hollywood director Frank Capra visited India for the first International Film Festival, Suraiya gave him a signed photograph for actor Gregory Peck, whom she deeply admired. Much to her surprise, Peck later visited her home in Mumbai. The two chatted for over an hour, and their meeting became fodder for headlines, with the media fueling speculation about a budding romance. Though the rumors were unfounded, the encounter added a new chapter to Suraiya's already star-studded life. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Love, Defiance, and Heartbreak Suraiya's most talked-about relationship was with Dev Anand, a rising star at the time. Their love story began on a film set and quickly turned serious. Dev Anand even proposed to her, buying a diamond ring despite financial constraints. However, their relationship faced fierce opposition from Suraiya's maternal grandmother due to religious differences. Her grandmother not only rejected the match but went so far as to throw the engagement ring into the sea and demand romantic scenes between the two be removed from films. Despite Dev Anand's willingness to leave the industry to be with her, Suraiya ultimately ended the relationship. She later admitted she lacked the courage to go against her family, even as she continued to carry the emotional weight of that decision throughout her life. She never married. Early Exit from Fame and a Lonely End Suraiya's breakup with Dev Anand marked a turning point in both her personal and professional life. Her subsequent films underperformed, and despite a brief comeback with Mirza Ghalib (1954)—a role praised even by Jawaharlal Nehru—her film Rustam Sohrab (1964) flopped. Disheartened, Suraiya chose to retire from the industry at just 34. She remained away from the limelight and lived with her mother until her passing. After her mother's death, Suraiya became increasingly isolated. She made no public appearances, never returned to playback singing or acting, and stayed out of media attention entirely. She passed away in 2004 at the age of 74 due to chronic health issues. Though her life ended in solitude, Suraiya's legacy as a pioneer for women in Indian cinema remains unmatched. At a time when few actresses had bargaining power, she stood as a figure of strength and success.
Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood Golden Era star earned more than Dilip Kumar, said no to becoming Dev Anand's wife, received Jawaharlal Nehru's praise; only to quit films at 34
Much before pay parity became a topic of discussion among leading female actors, the Hindi film industry witnessed the rise of superstar Suraiya, who left legendary stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar behind when it came to remuneration. While Suraiya was known for her roles in films like Omar Khayyam (1946), Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Badi Behan (1949), and Dillagi (1949), which took her career to new heights, she didn't initially enter the film industry to become an actor. Instead, she was first recognised by music director Naushad for her beautiful voice, which led to many playback singing offers. It all started when Suraiya was just 12 years old and would frequently visit film sets with her uncle. During one such visit to the set of Taj Mahal, she was picked by the director to play the role of young Mumtaz Mahal. After starring in several children's programmes for All India Radio, Suraiya's singing talent was discovered by Naushad, who gave her a chance to sing in the film Sharda (1942) for the legendary actor Mehtab. She soon became synonymous with musicals like Phool, Samarat Chandragupta, Aaj Ki Raat, Dard, Dillagi, Natak, Afsar, Kajal, Dastan, Sanam, and Char Din. Suraiya was a huge admirer of Hollywood heartthrob Gregory Peck and got a chance to meet him when he visited India. It all began in 1952 when Suraiya gave her autographed photo to Hollywood director Frank Capra—who was visiting India during the first International Film Festival of India—to pass on to Gregory Peck. The Hollywood actor received the photo and made it a point to visit Suraiya when he came to India. He went to Suraiya's home in Mumbai and the two chatted for an hour. Speaking about the meeting, she had said, 'We spoke for an hour. I didn't sleep at all that night. Nobody believed I'd met him. For two months newspapers carried our 'love stories'. I enjoyed it!' At the peak of her professional career, Suraiya fell in love with Dev Anand, with whom she starred in seven films. He even borrowed money to buy her a diamond ring. At that time, Suraiya was a bigger star than Dev Anand, and since he was also a Hindu, Suraiya's maternal grandmother didn't approve of their relationship. Suraiya's grandmother controlled her life and her career. She even threw the ring Dev Anand bought for her into the sea and instructed filmmakers to cut the romantic scenes between them. Dev Anand wanted to marry Suraiya and even quit acting, which wasn't acceptable to her, so they eventually parted ways. However, the relationship had such a deep impact on Suraiya that she never married. Dev Anand, meanwhile, married Kalpana Kartik in 1954. 'When I refused to marry Dev, he called me a coward. Maybe I was one. I admit I didn't have the courage to take a step I was not absolutely sure of. Perhaps it was a folly, perhaps a mistake or perhaps destiny?' Suraiya told Stardust. After her breakup with Dev Anand, Suraiya's professional career also took a hit. Her films in the 1950s didn't perform well. However, she did experience a brief resurgence with her Mirza Ghalib in 1954, which was a huge hit. She even earned praise from Jawaharlal Nehru, who told her, 'Tumne Mirza Ghalib kii ruuh ko zindaa kar diyaa (You brought Mirza Ghalib's soul alive)'. But her 1964 film Rustam Sohrab, co-starring Prithviraj Kapoor, turned out to be a major flop. Witnessing the curtain fall on her career, Suraiya took voluntary retirement in 1963 and stepped away from the limelight. She was never seen on the big screen again and also did not return to playback singing. She passed away in 2004 due to health-related issues.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Shilpa Shetty celebrates 18 years of 'Apne' with Dharmendra and Sunny Deol
Picture Credit: X Bollywood actress Shilpa Shetty took a nostalgic trip down memory lane as she celebrated 18 years of her family drama "Apne." On Sunday, the 'Dhadkan' actress took to her Instagram Stories to mark the special milestone. Shetty shared a video featuring herself with veteran actor Dharmendra and co-stars Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol from the film, as she fondly revisited the memories. The video, featuring emotional scenes from the family drama, was set to the popular song "Apne To Apne Hote Hain." The 2007-released sports drama, directed by Anil Sharma, marked a significant milestone as it brought together Dharmendra and his sons Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol on screen for the first time. While Sunny and Bobby had previously shared screen space in "Dillagi" (1999), and Dharmendra had appeared with Sunny in "Sultanat" (1986) and "Kshatriya" (1993), "Apne" was the first to unite all three. The film also starred Katrina Kaif, Shilpa Shetty, and Kirron Kher in key roles. In "Apne," Dharmendra portrayed Baldev Chaudhary, a former boxing champion whose career was tainted by controversy. Determined to redeem his lost honor, he places his hopes in his sons, Angad and Karan, played by Sunny and Bobby Deol. The film was released on 29 June 2007. Interestingly, Shilpa and Sunny have also worked together in films such as "Himmat," "Indian," and "Karz: The Burden of Truth." The duo will reportedly next be seen together in the upcoming action film "Lahore 1947." Directed by Rajkumar Santoshi , the film is being produced by Aamir Khan. The upcoming actioner "Lahore 1947" features an ensemble cast including Sunny Deol, Preity Zinta, Shilpa Shetty, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal, Abhimanyu Singh, and more. It is inspired by the play "Jis Lahore Nai Dekhya O Jamyai Nai", penned by Ashgar Wajahat. While promoting "Jaat," Sunny Deol revealed that the release of "Lahore 1947," initially planned for Republic Day 2025, has been postponed. He attributed the delay to producer Aamir Khan's dedication to ensuring every detail of the film is perfect.
News18
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Deepshikha Nagpal On Daughter Breaking Koyla CDs: ‘Affected Me Psychologically'
Last Updated: Despite trying to break free from the made-up persona, Deepshikha Nagpal revealed that she was repeatedly offered only negative roles after Baadshah. Deepshikha Nagpal is a familiar face in the 90s entertainment world. The actress is known for her powerful performances in hit films like Koyla, Baadshah, Dillagi, Rishtey and Partner. Even after starring with bigwigs like Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan, she shifted to the television industry, as she felt that some wrong choices in films made people judge her. Shedding light on it, Deepshikha opened up about the highs and lows of her acting career. In a candid interview with The Indian Express, the actress revealed how consistent typecasting for playing negative roles took a deep psychological toll on her, both within the industry and at home. Despite trying to break free from the made-up persona, Deepshikha revealed that she was repeatedly offered only negative roles after Baadshah. 'Back then, negative roles weren't respected. 'Yeh toh side actress hai, bure kaam karti hai' (She's a side actress, does bad things). You don't want to hear that when you are living in this society," she said, describing the societal judgement she encountered. This scrutiny wasn't limited to the film industry. Even on television, Deepshikha found audiences and industry peers unfairly labelling even her positive characters. But perhaps the most painful criticism came from within her own family. The actress shared that she found little support from her extended family when she lost both her parents. 'During the lockdown, I reflected on my career, I had done such big films, but when I came home from shoots, no one appreciated my work. Instead, I was told, 'What have you done? Tumne toh kapde utaare iss film mein… Tum toh aise ho, tumhare bacche tumko respect nahi karenge.' I felt ashamed," she added. Recalling a heart-wrenching moment of her daughter breaking CDs of Koyla, the actress expressed, 'All of it made me go silent—It affected me psychologically. I felt like a failure as an actor, in my marriage, everywhere. I was broken inside. I eventually learnt that there's no market for your sorrow, so I never carried that baggage to work. Acting became my escape. It helped me heal." Raised in a conservative household, Deepshikha said that she was the 'typical good girl' who followed all the rules. Butthe public and industry perception painted a very different picture, which left her feeling judged and anxious. First Published:
