Mumbai, March 31 – Bollywood star Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Bollywood icon Meena Kumari on her 54th death anniversary, further remembering her timeless legacy and contribution to Indian cinema.
In a post on his social media account, the actor shared a black and white collage featuring numerous pictures of the actress, celebrating her enduring elegance.
He wrote, "Remembering Meena Kumari on her death anniversary," adding a folded hands emoticon.
The collage features multiple iconic portraits of Meena Kumari from her various films, and also highlights her expressive eyes.
One of the central frames, in the form of a video, captures the actress singing the iconic song, “Piya Aiso Jiya Mein Samaye Gayo Re,” originally sung by Geeta Dutt.
Talking about Meena Kumari, the actress was often referred to as the "Tragedy Queen" of Bollywood, and was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time.
She delivered unforgettable performances in many films, including Pakeezah, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Baiju Bawra, and Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan, among many others, and went on to earn immense critical acclaim and a massive fan following.
The superstar had begun her career as a child artist and went on to become one of the finest performers in Hindi cinema.
She was known especially for her emotive expressions and soulful screen presence.
While she was ruling the roost as a top star in Bollywood in the 60s, her personal life was marked by struggles.
She was married to filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, though their relationship reportedly later faced difficulties.
Pakeezah, one of her most iconic films, took years to complete due to various challenges, including her deteriorating health.
The film eventually released in 1972 and went on to become a classic.
There were also reports and rumors linking her with actor Dharmendra during her later years, though neither publicly confirmed the relationship.
Meena Kumari tragically passed away on March 31, 1972, shortly after the release of Pakeezah, following an illness from which she could not recover.