Mala Sinha

Last updated

Mala Sinha
Mala-Sinha1.jpg
Mala Sinha in 2013
Born
Alda Sinha

(1936-11-11) 11 November 1936 (age 88)
Nationality Indian
Occupation Actress
Years active1946–2000
Works Full list
Spouse
Chidambaram Prasad Lohani
(m. 1966;died 2024)
Children Pratibha Sinha

Alda Sinha (born 11 November 1936), known by her stage name Mala Sinha, is a former Indian actress who mainly worked in Hindi, Bengali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become a top leading actress in Hindi Cinema in the 1960s and early 1970s. She was known as the "daring diva" and "torch bearer of women's cinema" for essaying strong female centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of their times. Having received multiple accolades, Sinha received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. [1]

Contents

In a career spanning four decades, Mala Sinha rose to prominence with films like Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Later, she starred in over hundred film productions including Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta , Anpadh (both 1962), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah , Bahurani (both 1963), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Aasra (1966), Ankhen , Do Kaliyan (both 1968), Maryada (1971). [2]

Mala was constantly paired in roles opposite Uttam Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Dev Anand, Dharmendra, Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Biswajeet, Manoj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna. She was the highest-paid actress from 1958 to 1965 with Vyjayanthimala, second with Vyjayanthimala from 1966 to 1967, then shared the second spot with Sharmila Tagore from 1968 to 1971, third position with Sadhana and Nanda in 1972–73. [3]

Early life

Mala Sinha was born to Christian Nepali parents after they immigrated to West Bengal, India from the Nepalese plains. Her father's name was Albert Sinha.

Mala's initial name was Alda and her friends at school in Calcutta (now Kolkata) used to tease her by calling her Dalda (a brand of vegetable oil), so she changed her name to Baby Nazma on getting her first assignment as a child artiste. Later on, as an adult actor, she changed her name to Mala Sinha. [4] As a child, she learnt dancing and singing. Although she was an approved singer of All India Radio, she has never done playback singing in films. As a singer, she has done stage shows in many languages from 1947 to 1975.

Career

Mala Sinha started her career as child artist in Bengali films – Jai Vaishno Devi followed by Shri Krishan Leela, Jog Biyog and Dhooli. Noted Bengali director Ardhendu Bose saw her acting in a school play and took permission from her father to cast her as a heroine in his Bengali film Roshanara (1952), her cinematic debut.

After acting in a couple of films in Calcutta, Mala Sinha went to Bombay for a Bengali film. There she met Geeta Bali, a noted Bollywood actress, who was charmed by her and introduced her to director Kidar Sharma. Sharma cast her as a heroine in his Rangeen Ratein. Her first Hindi film was Badshah opposite Pradeep Kumar, then came Ekadashi, a mythological film opposite Trilok Kapoor. Both films did not do well, but her lead role in Kishore Sahu's Hamlet, paired opposite Pradeep Kumar, fetched her rave reviews in spite of it failing at the box office. Films such as Lai Batti (actor Balraj Sahni's only directorial venture), Nausherwan-E-Adil where she starred as the fair maiden Marcia in Sohrab Modi's romance about forbidden love and Phir Subah Hogi, which was director Ramesh Saigal's adaptation of Dosteovsky's Crime and Punishment established Mala Sinha's reputation as a versatile actress who took the maximum career risks by accepting unconventional roles.

She used to sing for All India Radio; she was not allowed to sing playback (even for herself) in the movies with the lone exception being 1972's Lalkar . [5] In the 1950s, she had string of hits opposite Pradeep Kumar such as Fashion (1957), Detective (1958) and Duniya Na Mane (1959). The films she did with Pradeep Kumar were men-oriented. In 1957, noted Bollywood actor and director Guru Dutt cast Mala Sinha in his film Pyaasa (1957) in a role originally intended for Madhubala. Mala Sinha performed in the relatively unsympathetic part of an ambitious woman who chooses to marry a rich man (played by actor Rehman) and have a loveless marriage, rather than a poor, unsuccessful poet; her impoverished lover (played by Guru Dutt) whom she ditches. Pyaasa remains to this day a classic in the history of Indian cinema and a turning point for Sinha.

After Pyaasa, her major successes were Phir Subah Hogi (1958) and Yash Chopra's directorial debut Dhool Ka Phool , (1959) that elevated her into a major dramatic star. [6] She was part of many successful movies from 1958 to the early '60s such as Parvarish (1958), Ujala , Main Nashe Main Hoon, Duniya Na Mane , Love Marriage (1959), Bewaqoof (1960), Maya (1961), Hariyali Aur Rasta , Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Anpadh and Bombay Ka Chor (1962).

She consistently did lead roles in Bengali films throughout the 1950s to the 1970s. Her performance in films like Lookochoori (1958) opposite Kishore Kumar and Kelaghar (1959),Saathihaara and Shohorer Itikotha.

Sinha's career's best performances were in Bahurani (1963), Gumrah , Gehra Daag , Apne Huye Paraye , Nayi Roshni and Jahan Ara . [7] Apart from pairing with Pradeep Kumar, her pairings opposite Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Biswajit and Manoj Kumar in woman-oriented films were appreciated by audiences, with her work opposite Biswajit being the most popular. With Raaj Kumar, she gave box office hits like Phool Bane Angaare, Maryada and Karmayogi and opposite Manoj Kumar, gave commercial successes like Hariyali Aur Rasta , Apne Huye Paraye and Himalaya Ki God Mein . The hits with Rajendra Kumar were Devar Bhabhi , Dhool Ka Phool , Patang, Geet and Lalkar .

With Biswajit, her popular movies include Aasra , Night in London , Do Kaliyaan , Tamanna, Nai Roshni and critically acclaimed films Pyar Ka Sapna , Paisa Ya Pyaar , Jaal and Phir Kab Milogi . She did ten films with Biswajit. In 2007, they won the Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award, calling them on stage together giving due respect to their popularity as a pair who have tasted box office success. [8]

In her successful 1960s and 1970s roles, she was cast opposite her seniors like Kishore Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Pradeep Kumar, and the emerging stars from late 1950s like Shammi Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. She worked with many newcomers of her era including Manoj Kumar, Dharmendra, Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Dutt, Sanjay Khan, Jeetendra and Amitabh Bachchan. Her character's power was as much as the heroes and most of the time her roles were more powerful than the hero. In most of her films from the 1960s, she got first billing in the credits, even before the heroes, with the exceptions being those with Kishore Kumar, Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Pradeep Kumar.

In 1966, Mala Sinha went to Nepal to act in a Nepali film called Maitighar when the Nepali film industry was still in its infancy. This was the only Nepali film she did in her career. The hero was an estate owner called Chidambar Prasad Lohani. [9]

Soon after, she married C. P. Lohani with the blessings of her parents. From the beginning, theirs was a long-distance marriage with Lohani based in Kathmandu to look after his business and Mala Sinha living in Bombay with their daughter Pratibha. She continued acting after her marriage. [2]

She has been a heroine in many Bengali films. In Bengali films, she has acted with Kishore Kumar and Uttam Kumar. Her last Bengali work as a female lead was Kabita (1977) which featured Ranjit Mullick and Kamal Haasan; it was a super-hit at the box office. She is noted for her strong women-oriented roles in films such as Dhool Ka Phool , Suhag Sindoor, Anpadh , Phir Subah Hogi , Hariyali Aur Rasta , Bahurani , Aasra , Do Kaliyaan , Gumrah , Ankhen , Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi , Himalay Ki God Mein , Do Kaliyaan , Holi Aayi Re, Nai Roshni, Mere Huzoor , Kangan , Archana, Maryada amongst others.

Of her repertoire, she said in 2001, she was rather partial to Jahan Ara (1964), a historical movie that Meena Kumari passed on to her:

"Meena-ji turned down the role saying that she would not look the part whereas I would. Given my ignorance of Urdu, I was rather sceptical, but Meena-ji was convinced that I could do justice to the role. Playing Mumtaz Mahal's eldest daughter entailed gruelling Urdu classes and learning royal tehzeeb. It was hot on the grand sets erected at Ranjit Studio and the film had Madan Mohan's haunting music. It was a film replete with lyrical moments." [2]

From 1974, she cut down on her assignments as the lead actress in Hindi films. She accepted strong character roles in films like 36 Ghante (1974), Zindagi (1976), Karmayogi (1978), Be-Reham (1980), Harjaee (1981), Yeh Rishta Na Tootay (1981), Babu (1985) and Khel (1992), which were popular.

In the early 1990s, Madhuri Dixit was promoted as the "new Mala Sinha" in magazines. But, after 1994, she completely withdrew from the industry and has given very few public appearances. In Dhool Ka Phool and B.R. Chopra's Gumrah, she played the first unwed mother and adulterous wife respectively in Hindi cinema. As she grew older, she gracefully moved on to doing character roles that befitted her age. She was last seen in Zid (1994). Though Mala evinced as much interest in her daughter Pratibha's career as her father did in her career, she was unable to achieve the same success for her daughter. [10]

Prostitution scandal

In 1978, during an income tax raid at Mala Sinha's house in Bombay, bundles of cash amounting to Rs 12 lakh were recovered from a wall in her bathroom, which was a huge amount at the time. Initially, Mala Sinha reportedly told the tax officials that the money had been hidden in the bathroom wall by her father. [11] However, when she was produced before the court during the trial of the case, she reportedly stated that she had earned the money by working as an escort. [11] [12] Mala Sinha is reported to have been scared of losing the money, and is said to have taken the drastic step of admitting to prostitution on the advice of her father and lawyer, Albert Sinha. [12] She made the shocking admission when the court asked her to prove that she had earned the money by fair means. She was allowed by the court to keep the money, but she is said to have lost the favour of her fans, resulting in the loss of many projects in the immediate aftermath. The bold admission is also said to have effectively ended her career that could carry on for many more years. [13]

Personal life

Mala Sinha was born to Nepali parents after they immigrated to West Bengal, India from the Nepalese plains. Sinha married Nepali actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani of Kumaoni Brahmin ethnicity in 1966. The couple met when they worked together in the Nepali film Maitighar (1966). Lohani had an estate agency business. After her marriage, she used to come and stay in Mumbai to shoot films while her husband stayed in Nepal running his business. She has one daughter from the marriage: Pratibha Sinha, who is a former Bollywood actress. [14] [15] From the late 1990s, the couple and their daughter have been residing in a bungalow in Bandra, Mumbai. [16] Her mother lived in her house till her death in April 2017. Her daughter takes care of stray dogs and cats at Mala Sinha's home. [17] Her husband, Lohani, died in June 2024. [18]

Artistry and legacy

Sinha at an event MalaSinha (cropped).jpg
Sinha at an event

Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com stated, "What is remarkable about Mala Sinha is that most of her 1960s hits were fuelled by her own star power as much as the heros'. When she acted opposite big stars, she made sure her role was as good as theirs." [19] In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India 's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list. [20] Subhash K. Jha of Firstpost noted, "Mala Sinha was always a daring diva. In Dhool Ka Phool, she was the first unwed mother of Hindi cinema. In Gumrah, she plays a wife who secretly carries on a relationship with the man she loved before marriage. Most of her roles were ahead of its time." [21] One of the highest paid actress of the 1960s, Sinha appeared in Box Office India 's "Top Actresses" list five times, from 1962 to 1965 and 1968. [22]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmResultRef.
1965 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Best Actress (Hindi) Jahan Ara Won [23]
1967 Himalay Ki God Mein Won
1960 Filmfare Awards Best Actress Dhool Ka Phool Nominated [24]
1964 Bahurani Nominated
1965 Jahan Ara Nominated [25]
1966 Himalay Ki God Mein Nominated [26]
2018 Lifetime Achievement Award HerselfWon [27]
2007 Screen Awards Lifetime Achievement Award HerselfWon [28]

Other recognitions

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ashok Kumar</span> Indian actor (1911–2001)

Ashok Kumar, was an Indian actor who attained iconic status in Indian cinema. He was considered the first big star of Indian cinema as well as the first lead actor to play an anti-hero. He also became the first star to reinvent himself, enjoying a long and hugely successful career as a character actor. He was a member of the cinematic Ganguly family. He was honoured in 1988 with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest national award for cinema artists, by the Government of India. He received the Padma Shri in 1962 and Padma Bhushan in 1999 for his contributions to Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Geeta Dutt</span> Indian actress and singer

Geeta Dutt was an Indian classical and playback singer. She found particular prominence as a playback singer in Hindi cinema and Bengali cinema and is considered as one of the best playback singers of all time in Hindi films. She also sang many modern Bengali songs in the non-film genre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O. P. Nayyar</span> Indian film music composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician

Omkar Prasad Nayyar was an Indian film music composer, singer-songwriter, music producer, and musician. He is considered to be one of the most rhythmic and melodious music directors of the Hindi film industry. He won the 1958 Filmfare Award for Best Music Director for Naya Daur. Nayyar worked extensively with singers Geeta Dutt, Asha Bhosle, Mohammed Rafi, though not with leading Bollywood female singer Lata Mangeshkar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Guru Dutt</span> Indian film director, producer, choreographer and actor

Guru Dutt was an Indian film actor, director, producer, choreographer, and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waheeda Rehman</span> Indian actress (born 1938)

Waheeda Rehman is an Indian actress. Regarded as one of Hindi cinema's most accomplished actresses, she has worked in more than 90 feature films, in a career spanning over five decades. Her accolades include a National Film Award and three Filmfare Awards. She was honoured with India's civilian awards; the Padma Shri in 1972 and the Padma Bhushan in 2011. In 2021 she was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema, but was awarded in 2023.

<i>Pyaasa</i> 1957 Indian film directed by Guru Dutt

Pyaasa is a 1957 Indian Hindi drama film directed and produced by Guru Dutt, who stars alongside Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, Rehman, and Johnny Walker. Set in Calcutta, it focuses on the disillusioned Urdu poet Vijay (Dutt), whose works are underestimated by publishers and panned for writing on social issues rather than romantic topics. The film follows his encounters with the golden-hearted prostitute Gulabo and his former girlfriend Meena (Sinha), how the former helps him to get his poetry published, the success of his works, and his romantic relationship with Gulabo.

<i>Bombay to Goa</i> (1972 film) 1972 Indian film

Bombay to Goa is a 1972 Indian Hindi-language road comedy film directed by S. Ramanathan and produced by Mehmood and N. C. Sippy. Released in India on 3 March 1972, the film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Aruna Irani, Shatrughan Sinha, Nazir Hussain, Mehmood and Anwar Ali in lead roles. The film is known particularly for its catchy tunes and was a "superhit" at the box office. The film is a remake of a 1966 hit Tamil film Madras to Pondicherry and was an inspiration for the 2004 Marathi movie Navra Maza Navsacha which in turn was remade in Kannada in 2007 as Ekadantha. The Hindu had reported that Rajiv Gandhi was offered the lead role by Mehmood but he had turned it down.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sahir Ludhianvi</span> Indian poet (1921–1980)

Abdul Hayee, popularly known by his pen name (takhallus) Sahir Ludhianvi, was an Indian poet who wrote primarily in Urdu in addition to Hindi. He is regarded as one of the greatest film lyricist and poets of 20th century India.

Ruma Guha Thakurta was an Indian actress and singer primarily associated with Bengali language films. She founded Calcutta Youth Choir in 1958.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanda (actress)</span> Indian actress (1939–2014)

Nandini Karnataki, known mononymously as Nanda, was an Indian actress who appeared in Hindi and Marathi films. Regarded as one of the finest actresses of Indian cinema, her career spanned over 30 years. She is best known for her performances in Chhoti Bahen, Dhool Ka Phool, Bhabhi, Kala Bazar, Kanoon, Hum Dono, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Gumnaam, Ittefaq, The Train and Prem Rog.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Asian cinema</span>

South Asian cinema refers to the cinema of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The broader terms Asian cinema, Eastern cinema and Oriental cinema in common usage often encompass South Asia as well as East Asia and Southeast Asia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vyjayanthimala</span> Indian actress, dancer and parliamentarian (born 1933)

Vyjayanthimala Bali, known mononymously as Vyjayanthimala, is an Indian parliamentarian, dancer and former actress. Regarded as one of Hindi cinema's finest actresses and dancers, she is the recipient of several accolades, including five Filmfare Awards and two BFJA Awards. Considered the first female superstar of Indian Cinema, she made her screen debut at the age of 16 with the Tamil film Vaazhkai (1949), and followed this with a role in the Telugu film Jeevitham (1950). Her first work in Hindi cinema was the social guidance film Bahar (1951), which she headlined, and achieved her breakthrough with the romance Nagin (1954).

Shashikala Saigal, better known by her first name, was an Indian film and television actress, who played supporting roles in hundreds of Bollywood films beginning in the 1940s.

<i>Dhool Ka Phool</i> 1959 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra

Dhool Ka Phool is a 1959 Indian Hindi-language film produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by B. R.'s brother Yash Chopra, being his first movie as a director, having been an assistant director in B. R.'s earlier film Naya Daur. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Mala Sinha, Ashok Kumar and Nanda in lead roles along with Leela Chitnis, Jeevan and Manmohan Krishna. The story revolves around a Muslim man bringing up an "illegitimate" Hindu child and featured the classic song Too Hindu Banega Na Musalman Banega, Insaan Ki Aulaad Hai, Insaan Banega on Manmohan Krishna, who also won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Abdul Rasheed. Besides that, Sinha received a nomination for Best Actress and Mukhram Sharma for Best Story. The film was remade in Telugu as Jeevana Teeralu (1977).

The Guru Dutt team was a group of filmmakers formed by Guru Dutt for some of his works. Some well-known films that the team created include Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Pyaasa. In 2005 Pyaasa was ranked among the top 100 movies by Time magazine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Saadhika Randhawa</span> Indian actress

Saadhika Randhawa, also known mononymously as Saadhika, is an Indian actress. She has mainly appeared in Hindi language Bollywood movies and has also worked in several regional language movies including in Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Gujarati, Marathi & Bhojpuri movie industry.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kumkum (actress)</span> Indian actress (1934–2020)

Kumkum,, was an Indian actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leela Mishra</span> Indian actress

Leela Mishra was an Indian actress. She worked as a character actor in over 200 Hindi films for five decades, and is best remembered for playing stock characters such as aunts. She is best known for her role of "mausi" in the blockbuster Sholay (1975), Dil Se Mile Dil (1978), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Rajesh Khanna films such as Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein, Aanchal, Mehbooba, Amar Prem and Rajshri Productions hits such as Geet Gaata Chal (1975), Nadiya Ke Paar (1982) and Abodh (1984). Her career's best performance was in Naani Maa in 1981, for which she received Best Actress award at the age of 73.

<i>Maitighar</i> 1966 Nepali film

Maitighar is a 1966 Nepali film directed by B.S. Thapa. It was the third Nepali film produced and the first featured film under a private banner. This film features bollywood actress Mala Sinha in the lead role with Nepali actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani. It is considered as a classic in Nepali cinema.

Mala Sinha is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become an actress in Hindi Cinema in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. In a career spanning four decades, Mala Sinha rose to prominence with films like Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Later, she starred in over hundred film productions including Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh, Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah, Bahurani, Jahan Ara (1964), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Ankhen, Do Kaliyan, Maryada (1971). She was known as the "daring diva" and "torch bearer of women's cinema" for essaying strong female centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of her times. Having received multiple awards and nominations, she was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.

References

  1. "Bollywood celebs: Then and now". The Times of India . Archived from the original on 25 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  2. 1 2 3 "Trip down the memory lane with Mala Sinha". Screen . Bollywood Hungama. 13 March 2001. Archived from the original on 31 October 2011. Retrieved 26 August 2011.
  3. "Star of the week - MALA SINHA | Bollywood Buzz - MAG THE WEEKLY". Archived from the original on 29 January 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2020.
  4. "10 less known facts about Mala Sinha-Features-Features & Events-Indiatimes Movies - Page3". Archived from the original on 4 May 2010. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  5. "Musical gimmicks". Deccan Herald. 2 July 2011. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  6. "Yash Raj Films". Yash Raj Films. 3 December 1959. Archived from the original on 28 February 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  7. "Gumrah Review | Movie Review". Movie Talkies. 15 October 2012. Archived from the original on 9 May 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  8. "Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award Winners – Screen Videocon Lifetime Achievement Awards". India-server.com. Archived from the original on 21 March 2011. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  9. Mala Sinha's Journey
  10. down the memory lane with Mala Sinha
  11. 1 2 "One of India's richest actresses, Rs 12 lakh was found in her bathroom, her career ended after one shocking statement". DNA India.
  12. 1 2 "Happy Birthday, Mala Sinha: When This One Statement Took A Toll On Her Booming Career". News18. 11 November 2023.
  13. "Did you know Mala Sinha's career in Bollywood ended abruptly after a raid? Deets inside | Hindi Movie News - Bollywood - Times of India". The Times of India.
  14. "Happy Birthday Mala Sinha » - Picture 10". Goodtimes.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  15. "rediff.com, Movies: Profiling Mala Sinha". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  16. "Happy Birthday Mala Sinha » - Picture 15". Goodtimes.ndtv.com. Archived from the original on 1 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  17. "Mala Sinha misses the camera". Gulf News. 9 January 2018. Archived from the original on 3 February 2018. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
  18. https://www.msn.com/en-us/entertainment/other/mala-sinha-s-husband-chidambar-prasad-lohani-passes-away/ar-AA1nTXyA?ocid=BingNewsSearch
  19. "The Star Power of Mala Sinha". Rediff.com. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
  20. "75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent". Outlook. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  21. "Guru Dutt's 'Pyaasa' completes 58 years: Mala Sinha's character in this classic was ahead of her time". 19 February 2016. Archived from the original on 23 July 2020. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  22. "Top Actresses". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 4 January 2012. Retrieved 24 April 2020.
  23. "Mala Sinha Age, Husband, Family, Biography & More". Celebrity biography, Height, Weight, Age, Wiki. 2 September 2018. Archived from the original on 25 May 2019. Retrieved 25 May 2019.
  24. "Check out all the Filmfare Awards Winners from 1953 to 2020". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 4 February 2018. Retrieved 30 December 2021.
  25. "Winners list". 21 September 2023.
  26. "The Filmfare Awards Nominations – 1964". The Times Group. Archived from the original on 23 March 2004.
  27. "Filmfare 2018: Mala Sinha Awarded Lifetime Achievement Honour; Says Awards Don't Matter". 22 January 2018. Archived from the original on 27 December 2019. Retrieved 27 December 2019.
  28. "Hrithik, Kareena clinch Screen Awards". Ibnlive.in.com. 16 June 2007. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  29. "Few facts about Bollywood's former heroine". The Telegraph. Calcutta, India. 15 July 2004. Archived from the original on 2 November 2012. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  30. "| Bollywood News | Hindi Movies News". Bollywood Hungama . 7 January 2006. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  31. "Outlook India Magazine Online- Read News India, Latest News Analysis, World, Sports, Entertainment | Best Online Magazine India".
  32. "IndianTelevisionAcademy.com". IndianTelevisionAcademy.com. Archived from the original on 11 April 2013. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  33. "Nepal & Nepali". 19 September 2018.
  34. "Nana Patekar, Mala Sinha and others felicitated with Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Awards". zeenews.india.com.