Mala Sinha opens up about her journey

 

Mala Sinha opens up about her journey

The road to stardom was bumpy- 

Mala Sinha opens up about her journey

by Farhana Farook | September 1, 2018, 11:06 IST

The road to stardom was bumpy- Mala Sinha opens up about her journey

Mala Sinhaís bungalow sits right there on the bustling Turner Road in Bandra yet it remains impervious to the world outside. Inside too, there are no ostentatious signs of stardom. The foyer with vintage furniture may have played host to several celebrations. But today, the sprawling residence is home to countless strays and pets, which daughter/actor Pratibha devotedly tends to. Mala Sinha, at 80 plus, has no desperation to cling on to past memories or trophies. Sheís happier travelling back and forth to the mountains of Nepal and to her husband Chidambar Prasad Lohaniís ëresort like homeí there.

Satellite screens regularly give glimpses of her as in the romantic Anpadh, with the classic melody Aap ki nazron ne samjha, her fight as an unwed mother in Dhool Ka Phool, her unapologetic stance as the gold-digger in Pyaasa or her royal adas in Jahan Ara.... From Ashok Kumar to Amitabh Bachchan she has romanced all... cutting across generations and genres. If her women-oriented roles earned her the title of ëDaring Divaí, her dreamy ësensuousnessí mesmerised millions, including filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt. Tell her that and she credits Filmfare for being her ticket to stardom. A journalist in Kolkata came across her photograph profiled in a photo studio and got it printed in the magazine. Filmmaker, Amiya Chakravarty, charmed by her picture, invited her to Mumbai. Through the years, she won Filmfare nominations for her performances in Gumraah, Jahan Ara, Anpadh and Himalay Ki God Mein. But life came full circle when she was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement at the recently held 63rd Jio Filmfare Awards 2018... ìThank you Filmfare,î she says softly... her smile wiping away the years...

Train from Kolkata

Of Nepali origin, Mala Sinha was born and brought up in Kolkata. Hence, she was often mistaken for being a Bengali. She was called Alda Sinha in school but later changed her name to Mala Sinha when she became a child artiste in Bengali films like Jai Vaishno Devi, Roshanara and Dhooli in the í50s. When noted film director, Amiya Chakravarty, came across a photograph of young Mala in Filmfare, he called her to Mumbai and signed her for a three-film contract. ìBut I was no Deepika Padukone, who made it big with Om Shanti Om! I had a bumpy ride. Ami Dadaís Badshah (1954) flopped! He cancelled my contract. He went ahead and made Seema with Nutan and Kathputli with Vyjayantimala instead,î she says. Her other two films, Kishore Sahuís Hamlet (1954) and Ekadashi (1955), also failed. ìWeíd keep looking from the veranda of our house, hoping for a producerís car to drive in. But not a fly came by. We were about to pack up and go back to Kolkata,î she says.

Fortunately, actor Janki Das came to their rescue. Director Lekhraj Bhakri was making Naya Zamana (1957). Janki Das urged him to watch Malaís Hamlet, which though a flop, had won Mala acclaim. ìIíd played Oephilia in it. I was a thin teenager. Kishore Sahuís wife got me padded costumes and wigs,î she smiles. The filmmakers watched the film and signed her for Naya Zamana.

Mala sinha

The turn around

She gives credit to Geeta Dutt for getting her Pyaasa (1957). Those days filmmaker S Mukerji held a huge Durga ustav. Geeta Dutt, who was fond of fellow ëBengalií Mala, asked her to act in a play there. ìGeeta Didi brought along Guru Dutt for the show,î she says. An impressed Guru Dutt signed her up for Pyaasa. Her act as the go-getter, who gives up love for luxury, won her applause. Alongside, films like Balraj Sahniís directorial Lai Batti (1957), Sohrab Modiís Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) and Ramesh Saigalís adaptation of Dosteovskyís Crime And Punishment, Phir Subah Hogi (1958), established Mala as an avant garde actor. But it was Yash Chopraís directorial debut, Dhool Ka Phool, (1959) that made her a star. ìIt was a bold story of an unwed mother. We celebrated its silver jubilee in 36 cities. I got tired of attending those functions,î she laughs.

Between 1958 and 1962, Mala gave hits like Duniya Na Mane, Hariyali Aur Rasta, Dil Tera Deewana and Anpadh. But what remains her favourite is Jahan Ara (1964). Producer-actor Om Prakash had first approached Meena Kumari for it. ìMeenaji was a poetess and proficient in Urdu and seemed apt for the role. But Kamal Amrohiji said that she didnít have the dates. Meenaji suggested my name to Om Prakashji saying that I had the features and the ada of a Muslim girl,î she recalls. She was nominated for the Filmfare Award for playing the royal character.

Another film she holds dear to her heart is B R Chopraís infidelity drama Gumraah (1963). ìAshok Kumar was my Dadajiís age when he played my hero in Gumraah. Sunil Dutt played my beloved. ëKi bhalo kam kaj karoche (youíve done good work)!í said Dada Moni to me after watching the film,î she says. She also mentions T Prakash Raoís Bahurani (1963), based on the Bengali film Swayam Siddha. Here, she played a fiery village girl, married to a senile man as a path-breaking move.

Mala sinha

Switch-on switch-off

She enjoyed a fortuitous run with several co-stars. With Raaj Kumar, she gave hits like Phool Bane Angaare and Maryada and with Manoj Kumar, Hariyali Aur Rasta and Himalaya Ki God Mein. Her hits with Rajendra Kumar were Dhool Ka Phool, Geet and Lalkar. With Biswajeet, she enjoyed an iconic pairing in 10 films including Aasra, Night In London, Do Kaliyaan, Paisa Ya Pyaar and Phir Kab Milogi. In the í70s, she even paired with newcomers like Rajesh Khanna in Maryada and Amitabh Bachchan in Sanjog (1971).

Given her vibrant onscreen chemistry with co-stars, one would assume she enjoyed friendships off it too. But she begs to differ. ìI couldnít be over friendly with my heroes. It was only kaam se matlab. Iíve always been aloof,î she says adding, ìAnd so it was with Biswajeet too!î She elaborates, ìBiswajeet and I shared good rapport on the set. It was give and take. Off the set there was nothing. I wouldnít share my number with anyone. It was switch on and switch off.î She had a strict code of work ethics. ìNo one dared to crack naughty jokes in my presence. Theyíd say, ëGurkhan aagayee!í I never cracked jokes with anyone either. Why to become thick with anyone?î she asks. ìI took remuneration from my producers. So, if there was an intimate scene, Iíd do it. But ëcutí after that. There was no nonsense, she maintains.

She praises Rajesh Khanna, who was a phenomenon in the í70s. ìRajesh was a jovial personality. Once we were to shoot the song Chupke se dil de de (Maryada).

I had dressed with great care and had worn a backless choli. When

I stepped out of my make-up room, I heard someone whistle. It was Rajesh. He said, ëKya phataka lag rahi ho!íî she laughs. ìHe was the heartthrob - young and old women loved him, his lop-sided smile was a craze! Despite his superstardom, he never threw his weight around.î She adds, ìHe was game for rehearsals. But some actors didnít like rehearsals. Theyíd tell the director, ëMala ko bolo aap ke saath rehearsal karlein!í There was one actor, whoíd be lying with his feet up, while the director sat beside him explaining the scene.î

Another actor, she has admiration for is Amitabh Bachchan. ìHe was so respectful; you knew he came from a good family. He was so punctual, Iíd get scared. So, Iíd begin my make-up at 6 am. Iíd rush to the studio only to find him waiting outside, sitting on the stool with the studio guard. He was that humble. Heíd wish me saying, ëNamaste!í Itís this humility that has taken him so far. I never saw him indulge in idle talk. Heíd always be reading a book.î A regret that still lingers is not being able to work with thespian Dilip Kumar. ìI missed the bus!î she sighs. ìI was offered Mumtazís role in Ram Aur Shyam. But I was busy with South films.î

Mala sinha

MARRIAGE MATTERS

The dreamgirl of millions, Mala Sinha, chose to marry someone out of the industry. While shooting for her only Nepali film,

B S Thapaís Maitighar (1966), she came in touch with co-star Chidambar Prasad Lohani. ìHe was in the customs. But because he was talented and good-looking, they asked him to act,î she says. ìMy parents wanted me to get married as I had turned 26. Baba (father Albert Sinha) believed the industry boys were not trustworthy. Also, ego problems could creep in. Baba wanted a pahadi, a Nepali like us. Baba liked C P,î she shares. Mala and Chidambar got married

in 1966.

A long-distance marriage worked for them, with Chidambar looking after his business in Kathmandu and Mala in Mumbai with their daughter Pratibha. ìMy husband understood my passion for work. And that I couldnít be confined to the kitchen. I was not the club going type either. Iíd have gone crazy. There would have been friction. So, he let me work. Distance, in fact, fostered love,î she smiles.

Mala graduated to character roles between the late í70s and í80s like 36 Ghante, Zindagi, and Karmayogi. She was last seen in Zid (1994). She links her retiring from films to the demise of her dear father in 1987. ìI was daddyís girl. After every shot, Iíd look at Baba for approval. Heíd sleep in the same bedroom as mine on outdoors. Heíd wait outside, when I used the washroom. After Baba passed away, I began to feel a vacuum,î she says.

Mala sinha

Sense & spirituality

Being spiritually inclined has kept her rooted. ìAs a child, I once dreamt of Christ sitting on a rock surrounded by children of every creed. He put his hand on my head,î she recalls. She had another such dream after her first film Badshah flopped. ìWe didnít even have money for rent. One day I dreamt that a beautiful lady has come on the terrace, where I read the Bible. I knelt down and said, ëYouíre Mother Maryí. She asked what I wanted. I said the heart to love her son. My life changed after that,î she says. Malaís not a regular church-goer. ìMy prayer is conversation with God. No use simply reading scriptures. I donít brood. I don't hold grudges. I donít look back at my glory. Iím happy in every situation. Iím just a particle of dust and He blessed me with such brilliance.

Mala sinha

More on: Mala sinha

Bollywood actress Mala Sinha’s acting talent with beautiful and big-hearted Nain made everyone crazy. Even on his 83rd birthday, the same glow remains on his face today. Mala Sinha has been an approved singer of All India Radio, All India Radio. When she was just sixteen years old, she used to sing folk songs in the studios of the Calcutta (now Kolkata) Center of All India Radio. He may not have sung songs for films, but did sing on stage in several languages from 1947 to 1975. He was born on 11 November 1936 in a Christian family in Calcutta. His parents were originally from Nepal. He settled in Calcutta before Mala was born. In childhood, Mala was named Allada, but his friends and friends used to tease him by calling them Dalda (a brand of vegetable oil). Seeing the daughter upset, the parents changed the name to Mala. Mala Sinha had a great interest in song and dance since childhood. Apart from Hindi, he has also worked in Bengali and Nepali films. She is known for her talent and beauty. From the 1950s to the 1960s, he made his acting debut in more than a hundred Hindi films. Mala Sinha started her career as a child artist in a Bengali film ‘Jai Vaishno Devi’. After this she continued to fascinate the audience with her performances in several films and set new records. Mala Sinha was married to Chidambaram Prasad Lohani in Mumbai in 1968. After this, both of them worked together in the Nepali film ‘Maity Ghar’. The couple has a daughter- Pratibha Sinha. Pratibha too got many films, but could not get as much fame as her mother. Memorable films of Mala Sinha are ‘Pyaasa’, ‘Dhul Ka Phool’, ‘Dil Tera Deewana’, ‘Gumrah’ and ‘Himalayan lap’. Apart from this, ‘Paisa Hi Paisa’, ‘Ek Shola’, ‘New Age’, ‘Fashion’, ‘Pyaasa’, ‘Phir Dawn Hogi’, ‘Parvarish’, ‘I am drunk’, ‘Love marriage’, ‘Maya’ ‘,’ Suhag Sindoor ‘,’ Dharmaputra ‘,’ Hariyali Aur Rasta ‘,’ Dil Tera Deewana ‘,’ Suhagan ‘,’ Jahan Ara ‘,’ Pooja Flowers ‘,’ Apne Parye ‘,’ Bahu Beti ‘and’ He also left his acting imprint in films like Nai Roshni.

Mala became a big actress, but no one could show any pride in her. She did not forget her values. She has been the obedient daughter of her father. Mother considered him a domestic girl. He is skilled in domestic work. Even today, she leads a life of simplicity. If someone meets this actress from 1950 to 1960s, in the conversation, she still gives him the same feeling of freshness and fascination. Today’s new actresses can learn a lot from them and move forward in the field of acting.

BOLLYWOOD

Hurt Mala Sinha rejects Phalke Award

Legendary actress Mala Sinha who regaled generations of Hindi cineastes with her powerhouse performance in Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, B R Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool and Gumrah and Ramanand Sagar's Geet is...Legendary actress Mala Sinha who regaled generations of Hindi cineastes with her powerhouse performance in Guru Dutt's Pyaasa, B R Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool and Gumrah and Ramanand Sagar's Geet, is at the moment very angry and upset with the committee that has just bequeathed the Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Award on her.

Speaking exclusively to this writer Mala Sinha says, "They've done grave injustice to me. They haven't even mentioned my name on the invitation card! When members of the Phalke committee including their chairperson came home to me to request me to take the award for being what they called a legendary artiste, I was happy to accept it. But when I saw the invitation card for the event I was shocked. My name was not there with the other winners of award. Asha Bhosle and Pam Chopra (who is to receive the award on behalf of her late husband Yash Chopra)... This is insulting. It would be better if they had straightaway slapped me physically instead of insulting me in this way."

Says Malaji, "They had informed me that I was to get the award a month ago. Though I don't go out too much these days I did agree to come. They had a press conference in a small restaurant on Linking Road to announce the awards. None of their winners not Ashaji not Pam Chopra, came to the press conference. I went. They came home with the invitation last week. Only to insult me in this way. Forget my picture they haven't even put my name in the invitation card. I told them to pick up their invitation cards and leave. I don't want their award. This is an insult to me as an artiste. I can't tell you how upset I am about it. I agree Asha Bhosle and Yash Chopra are great artistes. But am I so small an artiste that my name should be left out? Then don't give me the award. I don't want it."

Looking back on her career Mala says, "Just the other day I was watching Dhool Ka Phool which came in 1959 and I was quite impressed by how ahead of its times it was ...I've done some notable films...

aur mere saath aisa anyaay

?! I've been around from the 1950s and I did films till the end of the 90s. Do you know I got two offers from Hollywood in the 1960s as the main lead. My father who looked after my work refused saying, 'Our culture doesn't allow our daughters to work in that atmosphere of intimacy that prevails in Western cinema. So please excuse us.' That's the kind of respect I got in Hollywood. And look at how I am treated at home! I think I was not given my due.

Kya karoon? Jitna bhagya mein likha utna hi milega na?"

Mala Sinha now 76, lives a life of semi-retirement with her ailing mother and daughter Pratibha who played the lead in the 1980s in some films.

The actress whose beauty and talent wowed audiences in the 1960s says softly, "My father used to look after my work. After his passing away I lost interest in my career. But while he was around I only thought of my work. I knew nothing about the business side of cinema or about marketing myself. I was just a simple artiste who wanted to work, work and work with all my life. I worked in the best of films and repeatedly with filmmakers like B R Chopra, Vijay Anand and Ramanand Sagar ".

Says Malaji, "Once an artiste always an artiste. I do miss the arclights. But one has to make sacrifices. I am happy looking after my mother. My daughter Pratibha also lives with me. She now does social work. I cut down on my work when she was growing up, as I wanted to give my attention to my role as a mother and then as a daughter to my ailing mother. As for me I'm open to roles provided they are not routine mothers' parts. An artiste never dies. My last film was with Govinda and Juhi (Radha Ka Sangam). Daddy passed away. And I became responsible for the entire family. He used to look after the home and my career. Mummy is bedridden, so I can't be too active outside the home. But I'd love to work again."

She singles out B R Chopra's Gumrah and Dhool Ka Phool and Jahan Ara as her most memorable films.

Yesteryear Bollywood actress Mala Sinha says she would have loved to be a heroine in present times as the film industry has taken a huge leap technologically since her days.

The 76-year-old actress ruled the marquee in the 50s and 60s with her disarming smile, charm and performances.

"I think the change (in the film industry) is for good. In our times film making process was slow. Today technology has improved a lot. I wish Mala would have been heroine of today's times then it would have been fun. We would have all used to get to jump and fly and do lots of other things," said Mala Sinha at the press conference of Dadasaheb Phalke Academy Awards.

Another reason why Mala Sinha wants to be a part of the industry today are the awards.

"I see awards on TV, every week there is some award function happening. We used to get award rarely.. We used to wait to get Filmfare award. But today there are so many awards.. I wish I was heroine today and you all would see me getting award on every channel," she said.

The veteran worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Recognised for her talent and beauty, she went on to become a popular leading actress in Hindi films from the early 1950s until the late 1970s.

Sinha has starred in over a hundred films including Pyaasa (1957), Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah (1963), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965), Aankhen (1968) and others.

She feels fortunate and lucky to be part of the industry which welcomed her with open arms.

"If film industry would not have been there then we all artists also wouldn't be here. This film industry is God to us... It gave us name, fame, love of audience. I feel my talent wouldn't have come out if this film industry did not exist," she added.

VIDYA SINHA ,HINDI ACTRESS BORN 1947 NOVEMBER 17 -2019 AUGUST 15

VIDYA SINHA ,HINDI ACTRESS BORN 

1947 NOVEMBER 17 -2019 AUGUST 15

.Vidya Sinha (15 November 1947 – 15 August 2019) was an Indian actress who has acted in Bollywood films, most known for Rajnigandha (1974) and Chhoti Si Baat (1975).

Early life
Sinha was born in Mumbai to Rana Pratap Singh (known as Pratap A. Rana in films), an Indian film producer, son-in-law of film director Mohan Sinha.

Film career
She began modelling and acting at the age of 18. She was Miss Bombay and modelled for several brands which led to her discovery by Basu Chatterjee.[1] Her first movie, however, came after marriage - her debut was in Raja Kaka (1974) opposite Kiran Kumar. However, fame came to her through a low-budget, alternative cinema break-away hit Rajnigandha (1974), directed by her mentor Basu Chatterjee. The movie, although having none of the trappings of a typical Bollywood blockbuster, was a major box office success. This was followed by many more small-budget films like Choti Si Baat (1975), and later by more mainstream, bigger budget Bollywood productions like Pati Patni Aur Woh (1977). She is known for her pleasant roles in various movies she acted during her active career life. She did 30 movie roles over a period of 12 years. Director Raj Sippy directed her for Josh (1981), in which she played a very sinister negative role; that of a gangster stealing coins from beggars.[2]

By the mid-1980s, this type of role was no longer popular in the Hindi film industry. She wound down her film work and finally called it a day by 1986. After some years in Australia, Vidya returned to India and gradually came back to acting,[3]

She returned to films in Salman Khan's Bodyguard in 2011.

TV career
Vidya Sinha acted in TV serials like Bahu Rani (2000), Hum Do Hain Na, Bhabhi and Kavyanjali (2004). In 2011 she appeared in the NDTV Imagine serial Haar Jeet. She enacted the role of Asad's and Ayaan's grandmother, Badi Bi in the Zee TV show, Qubool Hai. Recently, she was seen as Neha's Daadi (grandmother) in Itti Si Khushi.

Person

al life
Vidya Sinha was born on 15 November 1947 in Mumbai. Her father, Pratap S. Rana (film name) (also known as Rana Pratap Singh), was an Indian film producer, son-in-law of film director Mohan Sinha and his previous name was Sd. Maan Singh, native resident of village Jodhawali, Punjab, undivided India.She fell in love with and married her neighbor, a Tamil Brahmin named Venkateshwaran Iyer in 1968 and adopted a daughter, Jhanvi, in 1989.[4] The next few years were spent in taking care of Jhanvi and her ailing husband, who eventually died in 1996. They then moved to Sydney for a few years. She met the elderly Australian doctor Netaji Bhimrao Salunke online in 2001, and married him after a quick courtship and a small temple wedding. They adopted a daughter shortly after.

On 9 January 2009 Vidya filed a complaint with the police accusing Netaji Bhimrao Salunkhe of physical and mental torture.[5] They were divorced soon afterwards, and after a protracted battle she won her case against him for maintenance.[6]

On 15 August 2019, Sinha died at a hospital in Mumbai of respiratory failure caused by heart and lung disease at the age of 71.[7]

Filmography

.

SHATRUGAN SINHA ,ACTOR /PARLIMENTARIAN BORN 1945 DECEMBER 9

SHATRUGAN SINHA ,ACTOR /PARLIMENTARIAN

BORN 1945 DECEMBER 9

Shatrughan Sinha (born Shatrughan Prasad Sinha on 9 December 1945)[3] is an Indian film actor turned politician. 
 Shatrughan Sinha

Minister of Health and Family Welfare
In office 22 July 2002 – 29 January 2003
Union Cabinet Minister, Shipping
In office 30 January 2003 – 22 May 2004
Personal details
Born	9 December 1945 (age 71) Patna, Bihar, India
Spouse(s)	Poonam Sinha (m. 1980)
Children	Sonakshi Sinha Luv Sinha Kush Sinha
Parents	Late Shri B.P. Sinha [1]
Alma mater	FTII, Pune
Occupation	Actor, Politician
Religion	Hinduism

Apart from being member of Lok Sabha (2009-2014, 2014-2019) and Rajya Sabha twice he was also Union Cabinet Minister of Health and Family Welfare (Jan 2003-May 2004) and Shipping (Aug. 2004) in the Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. He was elected to 15th Lok Sabha in 2009.[4] In 2016, a biography on him Anything but Khamosh was released

Early life

Sinha with his wife Poonam (far left), daughter Sonakshi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Sinha with his wife Poonam (far left), daughter Sonakshi, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Sinha was born in Patna, Bihar in a Kayastha family to Bhubaneswari Prasad Sinha & Shyama Devi Sinha.[5] He is the youngest of four brothers — Ram, Lakshman, Bharat and himself. He was educated in Patna Science College.[4] He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India Pune.[6] Currently there's a scholarship being awarded on his name in the institute to Diploma students.[7] He moved to Mumbai where he started his career in the film industry.[4] He is married to former Miss India Poonam Sinha (née Chandiramani).

Shatrughan Sinha's first acting opportunity was playing a Pakistani military officer in Dev Anand's Prem Pujari. Subsequently, he got a small role as a police inspector in Mohan Sehgal’s Sajan in 1969. The release of Prem Pujari was delayed, so his first released film was Sajan. He played supporting roles in many films before appearing in Gulzar’s Mere Apne in 1971. He was cast along with Poonam Sinha then Komal in the movie "Sabak" (1973).

He later appeared in Dulal Guha’s Dost in 1974 and in Kalicharan in 1976.

Sinha was selected by Rediff as one of the most unconventional actors in Hindi cinema (the others being Ajay Devgan, Amitabh Bachchan, Irfan Khan, Rajnikant, Shahrukh Khan, and Sunil Shetty).[8]

In 2008, he joined as a judge on The Great Indian Laughter Challenge show, season 4 on STAR One TV. On 3 October 2009, Sinha appeared on Sony Entertainment Television Asia's show Dus Ka Dum season 2 as host for a special episode. He is currently hosting Bhojpuri version of the popular game show Kaun Banega Crorepati on Mahuaa channel.

He portrayed Chief Minister N.T. Rama Rao in Ram Gopal Varma's Rakta Charitra.

Political career

Sinha is a member of the Bharatiya Janata Party. He entered politics by contesting in by-election opposite Rajesh Khanna.Sinha quoted in an interview that his biggest regret in his life was contesting election against his friend Khanna. Khanna won the elections by beating Singa by 25,000 votes[9] but however, he was hurt and never spoke to Sinha thereafter. Sinha did try to build his friendship with Khanna, however that never happened till Khanna's death in 2012.[10]

He won the Patna Sahib Lok Sabha constituency in Bihar during the Indian general elections, 2009. He defeated another cinema celebrity Shekhar Suman. Out of a total of 552,293 votes polled, Sinha received 316,472 votes. He won the seat in the subsequent Indian general elections, 2014, as well.

He became a cabinet minister in the Third Vajpayee ministry from the 13th Lok Sabha, holding two portfolios, the department of Health and Family Welfare (Jan 2003-May 2004), and the department of shipping (August 2004).[11] As of May 2006, he was appointed as the head of the BJP Culture and Arts Department.

 




Awards
Winner

1973 - Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards - Best Supporting Actor for 'Tanhai'.
2003 - "Pride of the Film Industry" at the Stardust Awards 2003.[12]
2003 - Stardust Award for Lifetime Achievement.[13]
2007 - National Kishore Kumar Samman.[14]
2011 - Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement.[15]
2011 - "The ITA Scroll Of Honour" KBC regional at the Indian Television Academy Awards.[16]
2014 - Outstanding Contribution to Indian cinema at the IIFA Awards
Nominated

Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Paras (1971)
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Dost (1974)
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor - Kaala Pathar (1979)
Filmfare Award for Best Actor - Dostana (1980)

Filmography
Actor:

Woh Aadmi Bahut Kuchh Jaanta Tha (2013)

Rakta Charitra (2010)(Hindi, Telugu, Tamil)
Aaj Phir Jeene Ki Tamanna Hai (2010)
Yaar Meri Zindagi (2008) .... Thakur Vikram Singh
Aan: Men at Work (2004) ..... Sr. Inspector Vikram Singh
Bharat Bhagya Vidhata (2002) .... Home Minister Mahendra Suryavanshi
Papa the Great (2000) .... Biharilal
Shaheed Uddham Singh: Alais Ram Mohammad Singh Azad (2000) .... Mohammed Khan
Zulm-O-Sitam (1998) .... Advocate Vishwanath
Deewana Hoon Pagal Nahi (1998)
Hukumnama (1996)
Dil Tera Diwana (1996) .... Mr. Kumar
Taaqat (1995) .... Anand 'Lalbagh Ka Bhau'
Zamaana Deewana (1995) .... Suraj Pratap Singh
Patang (1994) .... Rabbani
Prem Yog (1994) .... Narrator
Chaand Kaa Tukdaa (1994) .... Zevago
Betaaj Badshah (1994) .... Parshuram/Prashanth
Insaaf Apne Lahoo Se (1994) .... Devilal 'Deva'
Aulad Ke Dushman (1993) .... Rajan K. Chaudhary
Adharm (1992) .... Avinash Verma
Ranbhoomi (1991) .... Roopa Singh
Iraada (1991)
Kasba (1991) .... Dhani
Hum Se Na Takrana (1990)
Karishma Kali Kaa (1990) .... CID Inspector Shiv 'Shiva' Kumar
Zakhm (1989)
Shehzaade (1989) .... Suraj Singh
Gola Barood (1989) .... Shambhu
Na-Insaafi (1989) .... Vijay SinhaBilloo Badshah (1989)
Aakhri Baazi (1989) .... Prashant Kumar/P.K.
Santosh (1989) .... Avinash
Aandhiyan (1989) .... Dushyant
Jurrat (1989) .... Inspector Ram Singh
Kaanoon Ki Awaaz (1989) .... Raghunath Prasad Rai
Saaya (1989)
Ganga Tere Desh Mein (1988) .... Police Inspector Ajay Nath
Mahaveera (1988) .... Vijay Verma
Sherni (1988) .... Inspector Rajan
Dharam Shatru (1988)
Dharamyudh (1988) .... Pratap Singh
Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988) .... Birju
Khoon Bhari Maang (1988) .... J.D.
Mulzim (1988) .... Inspector Neeraj Kumar
Sagar Sangam (1988) .... Insp. Arjun Sharma
Shiv Shakti (1988)
Zalzala (1988) .... 'Benaam' Shankar (Radha's brother)
Hawalaat (1987) .... Gullu Badshah/Sikander Ali Khan
Rahi (1987)
Aag Hi Aag (1987) .... A.C.P Suraj Singh
Loha (1987)
Insaniyat Ke Dushman (1987) .... Advocate Kailash Nath
Antarjali Jatra (1987) .... Baiju
Hirasat (1987)
Jawab Hum Denge (1987) .... Vijay Saxena
Khudgarz (1987) .... Bihari Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha
Maha Yatra (1987) .... Chaandhal
Asli Naqli (1986) .... Vijay
Ilzaam (1986) .... Suraj Prasad
Qatl (1986) .... Inspector Shatru
Jwala (1986) .... Jwala Dutt
Samay Ki Dharaa (1986)
Telephone (1985)
Yudh (1985) .... Moinuddin Khan
Ramkali (1985) .... Inspector Sultan Singh
Aandhi-Toofan (1985) .... Raghunath 'Raghu' Shastri
Ameer Aadmi Gharib Aadmi (1985) .... Advocate Ashok Saxena
Bhawani Junction (1985) .... Ram
Hoshiyar (1985) .... Rajesh
Kala Suraj (1985)
Kali Basti (1985) .... Karan Singh
Phaansi Ke Baad (1985) .... Public Prosecutor Vijay Kumar Nath
Maati Maangey Khoon (1984) .... Harinarain "Hariya" Singh
Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar (1984) .... Kranti Kumar
Bad Aur Badnaam (1984)
Dhokebaaz (1984)
The Gold Medal (1984)
Jeene Nahi Doonga (1984) .... Shaka
Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman (1984) .... Shakti Singh
Paapi Pet Ka Sawaal Hai (1984)
Qaidi (1984) .... ASP Dinesh Jugran
Sharara (1984)
Qayamat (1983)
Ganga Meri Maa (1983)
Chor Police (1983) .... Inspector Sunil Rana
Daulat Ke Dushman (1983)
Kalka (1983)
Taqdeer (1983) .... Shiva
Teesri Aankh (1982) .... Sagar
Haathkadi (1982) .... Inspector Sunil/Bholanath Banarsi
Dil-E-Nadaan (1982) .... Vikram
Do Ustad (1982)
Log Kya Kahenge (1982)
Mangal Pandey (1982)
Naseeb (1981) .... Vicky (Vikram)
Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) .... Dr. Sinha
Naram Garam (1981) .... 'Babua' Kalishankar Bajpai
Kranti (1981) .... Kareem Khan
Putt Jattan De (1981) .... Jagat Singh
Waqt Ki Deewar (1981)
Jwalamukhi (1980) .... Rajesh
Shaan (1980) .... Rakesh
Dostana (1980) .... Ravi Kapoor
Chambal Ki Kasam (1980)
Choron Ki Baaraat (1980) .... Shekhar
Be-Reham (1980)
Bombay 405 Miles (1980) .... Kishan
Do Shatru (1980)
Nauker (1979)
Kaala Patthar (1979) .... Mangal Singh
Gautam Govinda (1979) .... Govinda
Atmaram (1979)
Bagula Bhagat (1979)
Heera-Moti (1979) .... Vijay/Heeralal P. Srivastav/Heera
Jaani Dushman (1979) .... Shera
Magroor (1979) .... Ranjit Sinha/Raju
Muqabla (1979) .... Sheru
Vishwanath (1978) .... Vishwanath
Amar Shakti (1978) .... Bada Kumar/Shakti Singh
Atithee (1978) .... Navendhu M. Kumar
Bhookh (1978)
Chor Ho To Aisa (1978) .... Sanju P. Nath/Shankar
Dillagi (1978) .... Advocate Shekhar
Parmatma (1978) .... Anand
Thief of Baghdad (1977)
Kotwal Saab (1977) .... Bharat Pratap Sinha
Aadmi Sadak Ka (1977) .... Abdul
Ab Kya Hoga (1977) .... Ram Sinha
Naami Chor (1977)
Safed Haathi (1977) .... Emperor
Sat Sri Akal (1977)
Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977) .... Heera
Yaaron Ka Yaar (1977) .... Pratap/Shera
Khaan Dost (1976) .... Rehmat Khaan
Kalicharan (1976) .... Prabhakar/Kalicharan
Sangram (1976)
Santo Banto (1976)
Anokha (1975) .... Ram/Anokha/Shambu Khanna
Do Thug (1975)
Jaggu (1975) .... Jagtap aka 'Jaggu'
Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975)
Dost (1974) .... Gopichand 'Gopi' Sharma
Badla (1974) .... Kumar/Raju
Shaitaan (1974)
Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) .... Dr. Amar
Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973) .... Dr. J.P. Tandon
Blackmail (1973) .... Jeevan
Chhalia (1973)
Ek Nari Do Roop (1973)
Gaai Aur Gori (1973)
Ghulam Begam Badshah (1973) .... Thakur Pratap
Heera (1973) .... Balwant
Kashmakash (1973)
Pyaar Ka Rishta (1973)
Sabak (1973)
Samjhauta (1973)
Shareef Budmaash (1973) .... Kanhaiyalal/Rocky (Guest appearance)
Milap (1972) .... 5 different Characters
Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972) .... Ram K. Bhargav/Kumar
Bombay to Goa (1972) .... Sharma
Babul Ki Galiyaan (1972)
Bhai Ho To Aisa (1972) .... Ram
Buniyaad (1972)
Do Yaar (1972)
Jaban (1972) .... (Guest Appearance)
Raaste Kaa Patthar (1972) .... Arun Thakur
Rivaaj (1972)
Shaadi Ke Baad (1972) .... Choudhury Bishan Swaroop Singh
Shararat (1972) .... Jagdish/Vinod Kumar
Banphool (1971) .... Ajay
Do Raha (1971)
Dost Aur Dushman (1971)
Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971) .... Rajkumar S. Chaudhary
Gambler (1971) .... Banke Bihari
Khoj (1971)
Mere Apne (1971) .... Chaino
Paras (1971) .... Thakur Arjun Singh
Parwana (1971) .... Public Prosecuter (Guest Appearance)
Prem Pujari (1970) .... Pakistani Army Officer
Chetna (1970) .... Ramesh
Ek Nanhi Munni Ladki Thi (1970)
Holi Ayee Re (1970)
Khilona (1970) .... Bihari
Raaton Ka Raja (1970)
Nayeem Builder (1970)
Jalaal Mahmood Sayeed (1970)
Sajan (1969) .... Havaldar
Pyar Hi Pyar (1969) .... (uncredited villain role)
Playback singer:

Naram Garam (1981) (playback singer)
Jwalamukhi (1980) (playback singer)
Dost (1974) (playback singer) (uncredited)

குர்காவ்ன்: பாஜக எம்.பி.யும் நடிகருமான சத்ருகன் சின்ஹாவின் அண்ணி தூக்கு போட்டு தற்கொலை செய்து கொண்டார். பாஜக எம்.பி.யும், பாலிவுட் நடிகருமான சத்ருகன் சின்ஹாவின் அண்ணன் பரத் சின்ஹா. பரத் லண்டனில் வசித்து வருகிறார். பரத்தும், அவரது மனைவி ஷீலா சின்ஹாவும்(60) கடந்த 25 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பு பிரிந்துவிட்டனர். ஷீலா குர்காவ்னில் வசித்து வந்தார். அவரது மகள் பாரதி அகமதாபாத்தில் வசிக்கிறார். ஷீலாவின் மகன் பெங்களூரில் வசிக்கிறார். ஷீலாவின் மகன் ஒரு தொழில் அதிபர். தனியாக வசித்து வந்த ஷீலா வேலைக்கு கூட ஆள் வைத்துக் கொள்ளவில்லை. இந்நிலையில் ஷீலாவின் வீட்டில் இருந்து துர்நாற்றம் வருவதாக அக்கம்பக்கத்தினர் போலீசாருக்கு தகவல் கொடுத்தனர். போலீசார் வந்து கதவை உடைத்து உள்ளே சென்றபோது ஷீலா மின்விசிறியில் தூக்கில் தொங்கியபடி இருந்தது தெரிய வந்தது. அவரது உடல் அழுகிய நிலையில் இருந்தது. ஷீலாவின் உடலை பிரேத பரிசோதனைக்காக போலீசார் மருத்துவமனைக்கு அனுப்பி வைத்தனர்.


'I have to tell every man that an extramarital situation puts you on a perpetual guilt trip. When you are at home, you feel guilty about neglecting the other woman. When you are with her, you feel guilty about your wife.'

Shatrughan Sinha has never minced words. No wonder then that his biography is titled, Anything But Khamosh.

Read on for an interesting excerpt:

There were too many women in his (Shatrughan Sinha's) life for him to decide upon only one. He remarked light-heartedly, "My problem was not whom to marry but whom not to marry!"

"It was not only a certain actress who had entered my life," he disclosed. Like the comic book hero Archie who bought 'You're the only one' cards by the dozen for each of his 'steady' girlfriends on Valentine's Day, SS was unabashedly 'going steady' with more than one girl simultaneously.

The list tumbled out.

"I was also going steady with a tall, very well-educated corporate executive who was a South Indian Brahmin and another short little girl who is now married. I had many friends then. I have been very fortunate that most of my girlfriends were very fine young ladies. What all of them had in common was that they were willing to let me go if I was leaving them to marry Promi (Poonam Sinha). To this day, some of them have remained unmarried," he added. Their single status seemed to make him feel a couple of inches taller.

After his mother had led him by the ear, he sheepishly asked Promi, "Despite knowing all that's happening in my life, will you marry me?"

She didn't give in on the spot. A romantic scene had to take place and it did. He smiled affectionately, "To her eternal credit, she kept her dignity by replying, 'I'll give you an answer if you propose to me properly'. Finally, on the terrace of Ramayan, I proposed to her conventionally, on bent knee, with a rose in my hand."

Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha

IMAGE: Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha -- seen here in the 1980 film, Jwalamukhi -- were a popular couple, both on and off screen.
One is not sure about the other women in his life but for Reena Roy, it was a wrench. Shatrughan Sinha and Reena Roy were a popular celebrity couple and everybody had accepted their off-screen intimacy. So when he chose to openly wed Poonam, it was a humiliating public rejection for Reena Roy. But she too accepted his marriage without kicking up a ruckus. "She was very gracious," said SS. "She said, 'If it's Promi, it's okay. Anybody else and I'll kill you."

Reena Roy had no choice but to be graceful about it especially since she and her man were still commercially in demand. Besides, he continued to stay in the relationship with her despite the change in his marital status. It was a reality that Poonam had accepted when she became his wife.

In fact, while Bipin, Subhash and all his close friends were distributing his wedding invitation to guests in India, SS and Reena Roy were together in London doing a stage show. "Yes, I wasn't even around for the wedding preparations," he accepted.

Dharmendra, Poonam, Shatrughan Sinha and Hema Malini

IMAGE: Dharmendra and Hema Malini, who had announced their controversial marriage a month earlier, greet the newly-wed Sinha couple.
Photograph: Kind Courtesy Om Books International
Two days before he wed Poonam, he was on a London stage with Reena when Kalyanji-Anandji made an announcement that Shatrughan Sinha was going back to India the next day to get married.

Reena stood by his side publicly while the bride, who knew just what was unfolding in London, waited for her big moment in Bombay. In this very dramatic triangle, both women stood by him with Reena Roy even driving with him to Heathrow to see him off -- the ultimate ego boost for a man.

But if SS expected Reena Roy to continue being devoted to him despite his marriage to another, he was in for a surprise. "After my marriage I could see her battling confusion," he revealed. "Sometimes she would fly off to the Rajneesh ashram, sometimes stay over with someone in America. She wouldn't talk to me for days. I could not give her the position that she felt she deserved. I couldn't do anything about it."

Little Shatrughan Sinha with his parents, Shyama Devi and Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha, and his brothers -- Ram, Lakhan and Bharat.

IMAGE: Little Shatrughan with his parents, Shyama Devi and Bhuvaneshwar Prasad Sinha, and his brothers Ram, Lakhan and Bharat.
Photograph: Kind Courtesy Om Books International
If he couldn't, she could. Reena Roy found cricketer Mohsin Khan from across the border and married him before she could change her mind. That move hurt everybody around, including her man in Bombay.

For she had not only married a good-looking, eligible bachelor with a name of his own but she had also done the unthinkable -- crossed over to Pakistan for domesticity.

Unfortunately for Reena Roy, the nikaah (Muslim marriage) on the rebound didn't last even an innings and she returned to Bombay a single woman. It was rumoured that in her later battle for the custody of her daughter Jannat, it was her former lover who helped her. Jannat was finally brought to India and Reena changed her name to Sanam.

If SS had a hand in Jannat's return to her mother, he was circumspect about it. "I don't believe in kiss-n-tell stories," he said seriously, the flamboyance vanishing. "To this day I think of her with respect and affection because she gave me a lot of comfort, calm and peace when I was going through the dilemma of my marriage. I will forever remain obliged to her for that. Whenever we meet, it is with dignity."

SS' friend Dr Upendra Sinha explained how the actor had made up his mind. "He told me, 'Reena loves me but Promi worships me'."

***

Sonakshi promotes the father's book

IMAGE: Daddy's darling promotes her father's biography.
Photograph: Sonakshi Sinha/Instagram
The marriage that has lasted over 35 strong years was not a cakewalk for either of them. "When we got married and she came to stay in Ramayan, Promi used to say, 'My banwas (exile) of 14 years happened even before marriage'," remembered Shatrughan. The reference was to the 14-year exile that Lord Ram spent in the jungle with his wife Sita, once again a part of the Ramayana, the mythology so closely linked to the Sinha family.

"It was a difficult period for me also because withdrawing from an emotional entanglement elsewhere was taking its time," SS explained. "Promi used to cry a lot, but she knew I was trying my best. Sorting out our lives took its own time because it was a question of a commitment to the other party also. When I was with her (Reena) outside, I was faced with the question, 'You've set up your home. So was I a toy to be used and cast away?' It was not a comfortable position to be in."

"I have to tell every man that an extramarital situation puts you on a perpetual guilt trip. When you are at home, you feel guilty about neglecting the other woman. When you are with her, you feel guilty about your wife."

"On karva chauth or teej (festive occasions on which North Indian women fast for the long life of their husbands), you are caught not knowing where to go first when both have been fasting all day for you. What are you supposed to do? The situation leaves you stressed and tense."

Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha

IMAGE: Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha
Photograph: Kind Courtesy Om Books International
There were also situations which seemed amusing in later years but caused Promi untold heartache. SS narrated one such incident that could've caused a conflagration at home had Poonam not been his patient pillar of support.

"I was in Pakistan and the telephone operator at the hotel was in a fix when there were calls from both (Poonam and Reena) at the same time and they both asked the operator to be put through to me first. Promi had gracefully given in that time too. She told the operator, 'Never mind, put her on, she's like his sister!'"

"I'd taken Yash Johar with me to Pakistan and he knew that I was frantically hunting for a parandi (fancy hair extension) all over Karachi. I didn't even know what a parandi was, but I desperately wanted to bring back one. However, the market was closed because it was a Friday. When we returned, Yash Johar told Promi how frantically I had looked for a parandi all over Karachi for her. And Promi looked confused because she had never asked for one. Only then did Yash realise that it was the other person who had asked me to get it for her!"

"Despite situations like this, Promi continued to be understanding. I was a victim of emotions and weakness," emphasised SS. "It took time, but I gradually got out of it. That's why today whenever we have an argument, I tell Promi that if, on a scale of one to 10, I was right up there at number 10 for my weaknesses, over the years I have improved and stand at a much better number now."

"On the other hand, she was a perfect 10 to begin with but while all her other qualities are still fine, she has started losing her temper, answering me back; there's hypertension. She's the one who has changed for the worse over the years."

"Perhaps," SS mollified himself with the thought, "It is a catharsis for Promi after all the years of trauma that I put her through. So I would think her temper tantrums today are justified."

The Sinha family, then.

IMAGE: The Sinha family, then.
Courtesy: Sonakshi Sinha/Instagram
Producer Pahlaj Nihalani, one of Shatrughan's closest friends during his stint in films and in his career as a politician, endorsed Poonam's graciousness about the situation with Reena Roy. Pahlaj's professional association with SS began with Hathkadi (1982) which also starred Sanjeev Kumar and Reena Roy in important roles. And he was caught in the crossfire between the two lovers.

"After Hathkadi, I was keen to repeat the same setup of Shatru, Reena, Sanjeev Kumar for my next film, Aandhi Toofan," divulged the producer. "But Reena said a firm 'No' to my offer. She said to me, 'Tell your friend to make up his mind. If he gives me an answer, I'll do the next film with him. Otherwise, it's a 'No'. I've made up my mind that if he doesn't marry me, I'm going to get married in eight days'."

In 1982, Shatrughan was already married to Poonam, but was still emotionally bound to Reena Roy and wouldn't cut off ties with her.

"Sonu was shooting at night for a film called Telephone (1985) in a hotel in Juhu when I went across and repeated Reena's message to him," Pahlaj gave the details. "He called her up and cried like a baby. For the first time, I saw him cry; he was very emotionally involved with her. That was the one time I spoke up and told him, 'Let go, let her get married'."

The Sinha family, now.

IMAGE: The Sinha family, now.
Photograph: Pradeep Bandekar
"To Promi's credit, she knew all that was happening," remarked Pahlaj. "But during the entire shooting of Hathkadi, never once did she try to find out anything or ask questions about what they were up to. We shot for one month in Goa, but she never gave him any grief over it. She always knew, 'Ghoda jayega toh bhi wapas ghar hi aayega (Even if he strays, he will return to the fold)'."

Pahlaj, who understood his friend well, added cannily, "Sonu was also acutely aware of his reputation and was careful not to besmirch it."

Reena Roy helped SS make up his mind which way to head and stay put when she found herself a husband in cricketer Mohsin Khan and flew out of her co-star's reach. She had waited long enough for her man to enter into a Dharmendra-Hema Malini kind of arrangement with her.

SS instinctively recoiled from it. But what made it even tougher for him was that his own brother Dr Ram Sinha did a surprise turn one day by asking him to take Reena Roy as his second wife.

It was dramatic.

SS had an eight-month pregnant wife at home when he was summarily summoned and forced to take a stand.

Excerpted from Anything But Khamosh: The Shatrughan Sinha Biography by Bharathi S Pradhan, Rs 595, with the kind permission of the publishers, Om Books International.