If tragedy had a name, it would be Meena Kumar. The actress, who is known for her iconic films like Baiju Bawra, Pakeezah, Ghazal, Parineeta, Kaajal, Kohinoor, Sahib, Biwi Aur Ghulam, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, and Dil Ek Mandir, was the pride of Indian cinema. In a career spanning 33 years, she had done 90 films.
Though Meena had a successful professional life, her personal life was never a bed of roses. Her disastrous personal life overshadowed her successful career. The tragedy of her life began with her birth. Meena was the second daughter born to Ali Bux, who wanted a son instead. Since he couldn’t afford to pay the doctor who delivered Meena, he left her outside an orphanage but later brought her home.
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Despite the many disasters of her life, Meena Kumari’s heartbreaking love story with filmmaker, Kamal Amrohi is still remembered. Let us read on to find out why they parted despite being madly in love.
Meena Kumari and Kamaal Amrohi first met in 1938 while he was searching for a child actor for the film, Jailor. Years later, actor Ashok Kumar introduced Kamal to Meena. Kamaal later offered the film, Anarkali. But before the project could begin, Meena Kumari suffered a terrible accident and was hospitalised for months.
Throughout her stay in the hospital, Kamal paid her constant visits and soon they fell in love. However, Kamal, who was 34, was already married and had three children when he fell in love with the then-18-year-old Meena.
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Despite his first marriage, Kamal and Meena had a secret nikah on February 14, 1952. After the ceremony, they left for their respective homes and kept their marriage a secret from their family and the media. After several months, the news of their marriage was leaked, and Meena’s father sought divorce. Meena refused and left her father’s home to live with her husband, Kamal.
Soon after Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi’s marriage, cracks started appearing in their relationship. There were many rumours about physical violence too. Slowly, the couple started drifting apart, and it had a traumatic effect on Meena. The actress underwent through severe bouts of depression and insomnia.
To treat her insomnia, a doctor had prescribed to her a small dose of brandy to be taken once in a while to help her sleep better. But that medicine had become an addiction, and soon, Meena Kumari started drinking heavily. Soon, the actress was diagnosed with liver cirrhosis.
Pakeezah was Kamal Amrohi’s dream project and is considered a landmark in Hindi cinema. It is one of Meena Kumari's best works. Pakeezah got delayed because of Kamal and Meena’s split. Amid the pain of separation, Kamal wrote a letter to Meena and urged her to complete Pakeezah. He wrote:
“Only Pakeezah completion remain unsettled. You have made a condition that unless I give you a divorce you will not complete Pakeezah. Even this knot can be untied … I will free you from your marital ties. After this if you wish to complete your Pakeezah. I would be the most happy to do so. This is my request, that Pakeezah on which the fortune of many people depends, and which had the good wishes of so many people should not be left uncompleted if possible. You have better means. You have box-office appeal, and most of all Pakeezah needs you personally … Pakeezah that is like a sinking ship will reach a shore under your care.”
In response to Kamal’s request, Meena agreed to complete Pakeezah. In response to his letter, Meena mentioned about the remuneration she wished to get for Pakeezah and wrote:
“In regard to my working in Pakeezah, I have always been willing and clamouring to work. Pakeezah is my life dream and it will be my greatest pleasure to see it completed. As for my remuneration, I am glad you have given me an opportunity to prove my regards and respect for you. I shall accept only ONE GUINEA as a token of goodwill for my entire work in Pakeezah.”
Three weeks after the release of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari fell seriously ill and passed away on March 31, 1972. Years later, when Kamal Amrohi breathed his last on February 11, 1993, he was buried next to her tombstone as per his last wish. Meena and Kamal’s love beyond the grave.
Also Read: When Meena Kumari's Husband, Kamal Took Revenge On Dharmendra For His Alleged Affair With His Wife
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