Meena Kumari: The Tragedy Queen Of Indian Cinema Quiz

Answer: Bombay (Mumbai)

Meena Kumari was born on August 1, 1932, in Bombay, now known as Mumbai. Her parents were Ali Bux and Iqbal Begum. Her father was involved in theatre, and he also worked as a music teacher. Her mother, Iqbal Begum was a theatre actress and dancer.

Answer: Her grandmother was related to the Thakur family.

Meena Kumari was related to the Thakur family. Her maternal grandmother was Hem Sundari Thakur, who was a niece of Rabindra Nath Thakur, the well known Indian writer. She was married to a journalist whose name was Pyare Lal Shankar Meeruti, and had two children, both daughters. One of her daughters was Iqbal Begum, who, as has already been mentioned, was Meena Kumari's mother.

Answer: Because her parents couldn't afford to pay the doctor who delivered her, his fees

Meena Kumari's parents were poor theatre artistes, so they were unable to pay Dr. Gadre, who had delivered Meena Kumari, his fees, due to the fact that they were not well off, financially. So, Ali Bux left the future superstar of India at an orphanage. But, he picked her up from the orphanage and took her with him the same day after seeing her in an unpleasant condition over there.

Answer: She wanted to attend school and study.

Meena Kumari was not interested in making a career in acting, as her father was. Her father was interested in acting in films, and he had acted in small roles in films, but he wasn't able to achieve much success as a film actor. But Meena Kumari wasn't interested in acting in films.

She wanted to attend school and study, but she was not able to, even though she had taken admission in a regular school. Whatever education she got, was a result of private tuition and as a result, she learned English, Hindi and Urdu, mainly due to her own interest and efforts in educating herself.

Answer: As a child artiste

Meena Kumari began her film career as a child actress in the 1930s. Her father tried to get her into films, and after some struggle, she made her debut in Hindi films, as Baby Mahajabeen with the movie "Leatherface", which was released in 1939. It was produced and directed by Vijay Bhatt, who was a famous Indian film director during that era. Her talent and beauty were recognised and appreciated, and she receieved plenty of film offers after this. She acted in other films also, as a child actress, such as "Adhuri Kahani" (1939), "Pooja" (1940), "Ek Hi Bhool", (1940) and "Bahen" (1941).

Answer: Bachchon Ka Khel

"Bachchon Ka Khel" was released in 1946. The film was produced by Ramnik Productions and directed by Raja Nene. It was with this film that Baby Meena became Meena Kumari. This was the movie in which she made her debut as a heroine. Meena Kumari receieved good reviews for her performance in the movie, and she worked in several other films as a heroine, such as "Veer Ghatotkach" (1949), "Shree Ganesh Mahima" (1950), which were mythological films, and social films such as "Bichchade Balam", (1948).

Answer: Baiju Bawra

"Baiju Bawra" was released in 1952. It was produced by Prakash Pictures and directed by Vijay Bhatt. In the film, Meena Kumari played the role of Gauri, a girl with whom Baiju, the son of a musician falls in love when they are both children. He promises his father to avenge his death, but he is so deeply in love with Gauri, that initially, he forgets the promise he made to his father, but takes revenge after he remembers everything that he experienced in childhood, after he meets a princess.

The film was a huge hit, and it helped Meena Kumari to become a superstar instantly.

Answer: Parineeta

"Parineeta" is a Hindi movie that was released in 1953. It starred Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari in the lead roles. Ashok Kumar played the role of Shekhar, who was the son of a rich landlord in the film, while Meena Kumari played the role of Lalita, who was the daughter of a poor clerk called Gurcharan Babu.

Shekhar and Lalita are neighbours, and they fall in love with each other. But, Gurcharan Babu, being poor, is forced to accept an interest free loan offered by a man called Girin, who becomes interested in marrying Lalita, and as a result, a misunderstanding takes place between Shekhar and Lalita, and they get separated from each other for sometime.

The film was a huge hit.

Answer: Ek Hi Raasta

"Ek Hi Raasta" is a Hindi movie that was released in 1956. It starred Sunil Dutt, Meena Kumari and Ashok Kumar in the lead roles, while Jeevan and Daisy Irani played important supporting roles in the film. The film tells the story of a happily married couple, Amar and Malti, who are orphans, and are generally interested in helping orphans. Sunil Dutt acted as Amar. Meena Kumari played the role of his wife, Malti, and Ashok Kumar played the role of his boss, Prakash. Daisy Irani played the role of Raja, Amar's and Malti's son, and Jeevan played the role of Munshi in the film.

Amar works for Prakash, who is a good, fair minded and generous employer. On one occasion, Amar catches Munshi stealing money, and gets him arrested and jailed, and this angers Munshi, who takes revenge by getting him killed. Prakash feels very unhappy, and tries to help Malti and Raja, but he is forced to marry her, since the local people feel that they are living together without marriage. Raja, however, refuses to accept Prakash as his father. The film was a huge hit at the time it was released. It also has some great and wonderful songs.

Answer: Kamal Amrohi

Meena Kumari married Kamal Amrohi in 1952. She met Kamal Amrohi in 1951 when she was shooting a movie. Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi were introduced to each other by Ashok Kumar, and they got married in 1952.