'Pakeezah' was first planned in 1958. The film was to star Meena Kumari, and be directed by her husband Kamal Amrohi. The shooting of the film, however, didn't begin until 1964. But, the film was shelved after Kumari and Amrohi separated the similar year.
Five years later, Sunil Dutt and Nargis previewed some reels of this film. They were so impressed by what they are saying that they coaxed Amrohi and Kumari to finish the film. Kumari, who was gravely ill by then, agreed to renew work at the film. 'Pakeezah' eventually released in February 1972. Kumari died a month later. The rest, as they say, is history
Other interesting facts in regards to the 'tragedy queen'
Meena Kumari's real name was Mahjabeen Bano
She made her acting career on the age of seven in 'Leatherface' (1939), with the screen name Baby Meena
Guru Dutt's 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' (1962), by which Kumari plays an alcoholic wife, is regarded the most effective performances in Hindi Cinema
In a cruel coincidence, her character in 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' mirrored Kumari's personal life, as she had turned to heavy drinking. Kumari eventually died of liver cirrhosis
Apart from being a skilled actress, Kumari was a poetess in addition. She recorded a disc of her Urdu poems 'I write, I recite'. The music for a similar was given by Khayyam
Bollywood's legendary comedian Mehmood was married to Kumari's sister Madhu
Courtesy: Mid-Day.com
