Latest news with #Aabroo
News18
04-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
A Star Once, She Died Penniless At 34; Was Taken To The Crematorium On A Handcart
Meena Kumari is often remembered as Bollywood's original 'Tragedy Queen', but few know that another actress shared a similarly heartbreaking fate. That actress is Vimi, a stunning and talented performer who passed away tragically at just 34. Vimi captured the attention of both audiences and filmmakers with her debut in B.R. Chopra's Hamraaz (1967), acting alongside legends like Raj Kumar and Sunil Dutt. Hailed as a promising new star, she was graceful, educated, and trained in music, qualities that made her stand out. However, as her professional star began to rise, her personal life began to crumble. Despite initial support from her husband, Shiv Agarwal, the son of a wealthy industrialist, Vimi faced opposition from her family who disapproved of her decision to enter films. She had married young, against her parents' wishes, and had two children. At a social gathering in Kolkata, she was introduced to music director Ravi, who recognised her potential and urged her to try acting. With Ravi's recommendation, she and Shiv were introduced to BR Chopra, who cast her in Hamraaz. Although she signed a three-film deal with BR Chopra, tensions eventually arose, leading to her release from the contract. Sadly, her subsequent films underperformed at the box office, and producers began distancing themselves. Financial difficulties followed. Her husband became an alcoholic, grew violent, and pushed her to accept lesser roles in lower-budget productions. The relationship broke down, and Vimi moved to Kolkata, where she began living with a film distributor named Jolly. Hoping for a comeback, Vimi instead found herself sinking further. In an episode of Tabassum Talkies, veteran actress Tabassum claimed that Jolly not only introduced Vimi to alcohol but also coerced her into prostitution, ultimately destroying her spirit and career. In 1977, her liver failed, and she died while receiving treatment at Nanavati Hospital. Her death was not only tragic but also deeply humiliating. According to The Times of India, no family or film industry members were present to carry her body. With no money left, her remains were taken to the crematorium on a handcart. Only Sunil Dutt is reported to have attended her funeral. In a bitter postscript to her life, a media person wrote in Anandabazar Patrika that her death was a relief, dismissing her cruelly as a 'girl with wandering eyes.' During her short and tumultuous career, Vimi starred in films such as Aabroo (1968) opposite Ashok Kumar, the Punjabi classic Nanak Nam Jahaz Hai (1969) with Prithviraj Kapoor and I.S. Johar, and appeared briefly in Jaya Bhaduri's Guddi (1971). Her final film, Krodhi (1981) (featuring Dharmendra and Shashi Kapoor), was released posthumously. In a world that celebrates glamour and success, Vimi's story remains a stark reminder of the darker, forgotten side of the film industry, a tale of dreams, downfall, and devastating loneliness.
News18
02-08-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
This Shashi Kapoor Heroine Was Forced Into Prostitution By Her Alcoholic Partner, Died Alone At 34
At the age of 34, Vimi passed away in 1977, her final journey not in an ambulance or flower-draped hearse, but on a hand-pulled cart. There was no crowd of mourning stars, no sobbing fans, no grieving family. Just silence, and a story Bollywood barely remembers. (News18 Hindi) Vimi debuted in the 1967 film 'Humraaz', directed by the legendary BR Chopra, opposite stalwarts like Raj Kumar and Sunil Dutt. With her sharp features, polished diction, and regal charm, she instantly caught the industry's eye. Chopra signed her for a three-film deal, and the media whispered that a new Meena Kumari had arrived. (News18 Hindi) Before Bollywood, Vimi had already made a dramatic life choice by marrying Shiv Agarwal, the son of an influential industrialist, against her parents' wishes. The couple had two children. It was at a Calcutta party with Shiv that music director Ravi noticed her striking looks and suggested she consider films. Vimi's initial hesitation of "Who will cast a mother of two?" was dismissed when Ravi introduced her to BR Chopra. (News18 Hindi) The deal was made. But Vimi's in-laws strongly objected to her joining films. When Shiv sided with his wife, he was disinherited. Vimi now bore the burden of supporting the family. Her film career began just as her personal life started to unravel. (News18 Hindi) As the money dried up, Shiv turned violent and alcoholic. Unable to cope, Vimi separated from him and moved to Kolkata, seeking solace and perhaps a second chance at stardom. In Kolkata, Vimi entered a relationship with a film distributor known as 'Jolly'. Friends later said she saw in him a partner who might help her revive her career. But Jolly had other plans. (News18 Hindi) According to veteran actress Tabassum, who recounted Vimi's ordeal on her show 'Tabassum Talkies', Jolly introduced Vimi to alcohol and eventually pushed her into prostitution when all else failed. Her health deteriorated. Work dried up. Friends disappeared. Vimi, once a starlet on magazine covers, was now a recluse lost in addiction and despair. (News18 Hindi) Adding insult to injury, a so-called friend, Krishna, later wrote in 'Anandabazar Patrika' that "her death was a relief" and called her a "girl with wandering eyes". Vimi's short career included films like 'Aabroo' with Ashok Kumar, 'Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai' with Prithviraj Kapoor and IS Johar, and a cameo in 'Guddi' alongside Jaya Bhaduri. Her final appearance came in 'Krodhi' (1981), released posthumously, where she shared the screen, perhaps for the last time, with Shashi Kapoor. (News18 Hindi) Though often compared to Meena Kumari, Vimi's tragedy lacked even the poetic dignity Bollywood afforded to its most iconic fallen stars. Her story was not romanticised, her pain barely remembered. But in the crevices of Bollywood's forgotten tales, Vimi's life remains a stark reminder of how fame can be fleeting, and how the same city that lifts can also leave behind without a trace. (News18 Hindi)
India.com
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actress was once a star, suffered domestic violence from husband, was forced into prostitution by boyfriend, died alone, her body was pushed in…, name was…
This actress was once a star, suffered domestic violence from husband, was forced into prostitution by boyfriend, died alone, her body was pushed in..., name was... Many Bollywood celebrities, who once made a mark in the industry with their tremendous work, have become unfamiliar faces now. Actress Vimi is one such example. Though her Bollywood journey was short-lived, but she managed to garner recognition for her work in the industry. Renowned for films such as Aabroo, Hamraaz and Patanga , Vimi's life was full of highs and lows. When she stepped into the film industry, she was already married and had two children. She became an overnight sensation following her debut film Hamraaz. After this, she starred in several hits and became one of the highest-paid actresses in 90s, charging Rs 3 lakh per film. Vimi became one of the those few actresses who worked with several Bollywood stalwarts including Sunil Dutt, Raj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor and others. Everything was going hunky-dory until her husband, businessman Shiv Agarwal, left her. She got separated after enduring years of domestic violence, as stated by several reports. Following her separation from Shiv, the actress suffered another disastrous relationship with a small-time producer, Jolly. According to a report by News 18, Vimi was exploited and forced into prostitution by her boyfriend. Luckily, she managed to escape that toxic relationship, but her life continued to suffer. After few months, she tried her hands in a textile business in Calcutta, but it failed miserably, landing her into a massive debt. In her early 30s, Vimi was left bankrupt and her career got ruined completely. She was forced to spend rest of her life alone, eventually finding alcohol as her only escape. Gradually, her alcohol addiction got worse and she was admitted to a hospital. At the age of 34, the actress passed away due to liver complications. As per reports, Vimi was left alone at the time of her death, and her dead body was taken to the cremation ground on a handcart.
