Meena Kumari, Bollywood’s Tragedy Queen, faced a sorrowful life despite fame. Married at 19 to director Kamal Amrohi, she endured heartbreak, alcoholism, and died at 39 after Pakeezah’s release.
Mumbai | August 1, 2025: Today marks the birth anniversary of Bollywood’s “Tragedy Queen” Meena Kumari, a legendary actress whose life was no less tragic than the roles she portrayed on screen. Born as Mahjabeen Bano on August 1, 1933, in Dadar, Mumbai, Meena Kumari began her journey in the film industry at the tender age of five with the movie Leather Face.
Despite her phenomenal success and fame, Meena Kumari’s personal life was filled with heartache. At just 19, she fell in love with renowned filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, who was 15 years older and already married with children. Despite opposition from her father, Meena married Kamal, believing love would conquer all. But marriage soon brought isolation, conflict, and restrictions—Amrohi even forbade her from working in films.
Unwilling to give up her career, Meena continued to act, which led to rising tensions in their relationship. The emotional distance and constant disputes turned her married life into turmoil. Eventually, she turned to alcohol, seeking solace in the midst of deep loneliness and emotional pain.
Meena Kumari’s final film, Pakeezah, a magnum opus directed by Amrohi and co-starring Rajkumar, took years to complete due to their troubled relationship. The film was finally released in February 1972, but just weeks after its release, the actress passed away on March 31, 1972, at the age of 39 due to liver cirrhosis.
Despite the personal struggles, Meena Kumari left behind a legacy of iconic films including Baiju Bawra, Shree Ganesh Mahima, Tamasha, and Pakeezah. Her melancholic on-screen presence earned her the title of Bollywood’s Tragedy Queen, a reflection of the sorrow that defined much of her real life.
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