Latest news with #EkHiBhool
India Today
27-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam: A Tragedy That Foretold Meena Kumari's Doom
In our Retro Review series, we revisit Meena Kumari's haunting role in 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam', where her performance mirrored her unraveling life, weaving a tragic prophecy of love, loss, and Review: Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)Starring: Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, Waheeda Rehman, RehmanProducer: Guru DuttDirector: Abrar AlviMusic: Hemant KumarWhere To Watch: YouTubeWhy To Watch: For Meena Kumari's iconic portrayal of a woman yearning for her husband's love Moral of the Story: Art often mirrors life, turning into a tragic prophecy of love, loss, and actor Mahjabeen Alibux was known by two other names until her death, one of which became her first faced the camera at the tender age of four, carrying forward the legacy of her mother, herself an actor. Her fourth film, 'Ek Hi Bhool', earned her the screen name Baby Meena, bestowed upon her by the film's director, Vijay Bhatt. By the late 1940s, Meena had blossomed into a petite beauty, with a slightly rounded face and sparkling eyes. Captivated by her charm and innocence, directors eagerly cast her in romantic musicals and comedies. In 'Baiju Bawra', a film famously declined by Dilip Kumar to his lasting regret, Meena captivated India's heart as a village belle singing Naushad's melodies. Around the same time, she starred in 'Miss Mary', a spirited comedy that showcased her effortless flair for could have imagined that this star of romantic comedies and musicals would transform into a tragedy queen, a title that would come to mirror her own tumultuous life?Certain films serve as haunting prophecies of the lives of their actors and directors, acting as chronicles of tragedies foretold. No film captures Meena Kumari's transformation from romantic heroine to tragic figure, and her subsequent descent into alcoholism, more poignantly than 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' (1962).A Tragedy that ForetoldThe film Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam is a paradox, a haunting reminder of humanity's struggle against inescapable destiny. By the late 1950s, Guru Dutt had lost confidence in his directorial vision, shaken by the commercial failure of Kaagaz Ke Phool. Beyond directing, he yearned to shed his onscreen persona as a tragic hero, an image forged through his soulful performances in Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ke Phool. Yet, his fascination with tragedy endured, drawing him to produce and star in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, a poignant tale of decadent morality among Calcutta's zamindars and the devastating toll it exacts on its protagonist, Chhoti Bahu, portrayed by Meena Kumari. In a striking reversal of roles, Guru Dutt—the eternal tragedian—cast himself as a village bumpkin, infusing his character with shades of comedy and guileless charm. The weight of inescapable tragedy fell instead on Meena Kumari, once the effervescent star of romantic musicals and comedies. Her portrayal of Chhoti Bahu, a woman consumed by unfulfilled longing and spiraling into alcoholism, marked a seismic shift, transforming her into the tragedy queen and eerily foreshadowing her own descent into personal curses, perhaps, are inescapable.A Stirring Tragedy'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' is so layered that it invites multiple viewings, each revealing new depths. Yet, the frames that linger most are those where Meena Kumari pours out her anguish, first as a woman yearning for her husband's love, then as an alcoholic teetering on stirring voice, hollow laughter, and mournful eyes transform Chhoti Bahu into a haunting emblem of despair, a figure whose pain echoes Meena Kumari's own unraveling life, forever etching her tragedy queen persona into the annals of Kumari plays the doomed addict with haunting perfection. Her droopy eyes, slurred speech and unsteady gaze transform her persona, making her transition effortlessly between affection, rage, lust and melancholia. The camera captures her downfall with haunting closeups, creating a tableau of heartbreak so potent it encapsulates the film's tragic core, leaving an indelible mark on the viewer's iconic scene, where Chhoti Bahu's futile yearning collides with her husband's indifference, is a searing exploration of unattainable love. A drunk Chhoti Bahu implores her philandering husband, played by Rehman's with chilling detachment, to stay with her. 'Na Jao Saiyyan', she sings seductively, her eyes burning with pain and longing, her tresses falling on her playful face. When he refuses to stay with her, Meena Kumari breaks into hysterical laughter and heart-rending sobs. Rehman's restrained yet menacing presence amplifies Meena Kumari's vulnerability, making their interplay a goosebump-inducing pinnacle of art. The scene's stark cinematography and Hemant Kumar's melancholic score heighten its emotional weight, making it a touchstone for Indian cinema. Just for these fifteen minutes of wizardry, Meena Kumari deserves to be forever in the pantheon of Real To ReelFor Meena Kumari, this moment was more than performance, it was a haunting echo of her fractured relationships, a mirror held up to her life's marriage to Kamal Amrohi, director of the cult classic 'Pakeezah', had failed. Once a union of creative minds, it soured as his possessiveness and strict rules, such as barring her from signing new films or staying out late, stifled her spirit. Reports of physical altercations, including an incident where Amrohi's assistant allegedly slapped her, pushed her to leave his home, plunging her into depression and bond with Dharmendra, sparked during their collaborations on films like 'Phool Aur Patthar', was a brief respite. Resembling the dynamic between Chhoti Bahu and Guru Dutt's character, Bhoothnath, she mentored Dharmendra, nurturing his talent. But their rumored romance–denied by Dharemendra–ended in heartbreak. This rejection, coupled with her deteriorating health and financial ruin, hastened her tragic end, as she succumbed to liver cirrhosis at 38, leaving behind a legacy as luminous as it was its narrative, 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' stands as a testament to the synergy between Meena Kumari and Guru Dutt, two artists bound by their shared affinity for tragedy. The film's opulent visuals, soulful music, and Abrar Alvi's incisive direction (under Guru Dutt's stewardship) created a timeless elegy to human the personal costs were profound: Meena Kumari's immersion in Chhoti Bahu deepened her descent, while Guru Dutt's inability to escape his tragic muse foreshadowed his untimely end. Together, they left behind a cinematic masterpiece that continues to resonate. It is a poignant reminder that some destinies are written in the stars they portray.- Ends
Time of India
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Rekha ended her rumoured relationship with Jeetendra after hearing him call her a 'timepass': 'I'll take out his clothes, personally monitor...'
Veteran actress Rekha is known for her iconic roles and unmatched screen presence. Her journey began in 1966 as a child artiste in a Telugu film, and she quickly climbed the ranks in Bollywood to become one of the most sought-after leading ladies of her time. Rekha was linked to several leading men in the industry, most famously Amitabh Bachchan, with whom she shared undeniable chemistry. However, one lesser-known chapter in her life involves her alleged romance with actor Jeetendra . The actress experienced heartbreak when she reportedly overheard Jeetendra referring to her as his 'timepass.' Rekha's alleged romance with Jeetendra Rekha and Jeetendra appeared in several films together, including Maang Bharo Sajna and Ek Hi Bhool. They became a beloved on-screen pair in the industry and were admired for their chemistry. Many fans believed they were dating in real life. According to Yasir Usman's biography Rekha: The Untold Story, the actress had developed deep feelings for Jeetendra during that period. However, what seemed like a budding romance ended abruptly. Late Vinod Mehra's wife Kiran Mehra on his alleged relationship with Rekha: 'She's the person who remained in his life till end' Jeetendra reportedly called Rekha a timepass Their relationship reportedly came to an end during the shooting of the film Bechara in Shimla. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Reportingly Undo As per sources cited in the biography, Rekha happened to overhear Jeetendra speaking to a junior artiste, referring to her merely as a 'timepass.' The remark left Rekha heartbroken. She was deeply hurt and retreated to her make-up room, where she broke down in tears. That moment of betrayal reportedly compelled her to make a decision to end the relationship and move forward. Rekha about marriage Rekha has remained tight-lipped about many aspects of her love life. However, in a candid 2006 interview with Hindustan Times, she opened up about the possibility of marriage: 'I'm not in denial. If I find someone who's willing to share me with my fans, I might change my mind. If I had a man, I would just be devoting all my attention to that one person. I'll take out his clothes, personally monitor his menu, prepare the lunch and personally deliver it to him. ' Rekha married Delhi-based businessman Mukesh Aggarwal. Tragically, Mukesh committed suicide just seven months after their marriage.
NDTV
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
What Happened When Fan Asked Rekha For An Autograph, Reveals Shabana Azmi
New Delhi: Film veterans Rekha and Shabana Azmi share decades-old friendship. On many occasions, Shabana Azmi has fondly recalled anecdotes featuring Rekha. In one of her recent interactions with Filmfare, Shabana Azmi opened up about an incident when they were together on a flight. Shabana Azmi and Rekha were on a flight when a fan asked Rekha for an autograph. "I have so many incidents with Rekha. I remember one thing so clearly. Then I realised, 'Oh, this is the public persona!' So, she and I were in a plane chatting away, [imitates laughing sounds] and then, somebody said, 'Ma'am, ma'am, can you give me an autograph?'" Shabana Azmi recalled. Shabana added, "And from here, her face changed into this distant star. Then she said, 'I am talking, can you wait a bit?' I was like, 'Oh my God! Look at this transformation.' In that one moment, I was like, ' Arre aisa behave karna chahiye star ko (this is how a star should behave)!' But she has always been very warm and very loving." Rekha and Shabana Azmi worked together in films like Ek Hi Bhool, Ram Tere Kitne Naam. Shabana Azmi was last seen in the Netflix series Dabba Cartel. The series explores the lives of five middle-class women who start a dabba service but find themselves embroiled in a drug cartel. It also stars Shalini Pandey and Jyotika in pivotal roles. Rekha was last seen in the 2014 film Super Nani, in which she played the titular role of Bharti Bhatia.
