Saira Banu

Last updated

Saira Banu
Saira Banu 2023.jpg
Saira Banu, c. 2023
Born (1944-08-23) 23 August 1944 (age 80)
Mussoorie, United Provinces, British India
(present-day Uttarakhand, India)
Occupation(s) Actress, film producer
Years active1961–1984
Known for
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1966;died 2021)​
Parents
Relatives

Saira Banu (born 23 August 1944) is an Indian actress who mainly worked in Hindi films. Regarded amongst the finest actors of Indian cinema, [1] she was among the most popular actresses of the 1960s and early 1970s. Banu received four Filmfare Awards nominations throughout her career. [2] [3]

Contents

Banu made her acting debut with Junglee (1961), for which she received Filmfare Award for Best Actress nomination. She received three more Best Actress nominations for Shagird (1967), Diwana (1967) and Sagina (1974). Banu went onto be part of many successful films including - Bluff Master (1963), Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968), Padosan (1968), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Hera Pheri (1976) and Bairaag (1976). Her final film before retirement was Faisla (1988).

Banu married actor Dilip Kumar in 1966. The couple did not have any children. Banu also worked as a producer for the Bhojpuri film Ab To Banja Sajanwa Hamaar (2006). [4]

Early life

Saira Banu was born on 23 August 1944 in Mussoorie [5] to actress Naseem Banu and producer Mian Ehsan-ul-Haq. [6] She had one brother, Sultan Ahmed who was five years older than her. Banu's niece Shaheen Banu married actor Sumeet Saigal. Her grandniece Sayyeshaa, is also a film actress and is married to film actor Arya. [7]

Career

Banu was 16 years old in 1960 when she started work for her debut in Hindi films. [8] She said in a programme that she had basic talent and little dancing experience. Her peers all were classically trained, which was why she was not put in the top league. Banu started taking Kathak and Bharata Natyam lessons, and trained herself professionally. Soon she became a dancer, and her films featured more of her dancing.

Banu made her acting debut opposite Shammi Kapoor in the 1961 film Junglee , for which she earned her first nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. [9] Junglee was written by Aghajani Kashmeri (aka Kashmiri and Agha Jani), who also coached her in Urdu dialogue delivery, given his background in Urdu literature and poetry from Lucknow. Her image was that of a romantic heroine and she acted in many love stories. She did one more film opposite her first hero Shammi Kapoor, Bluff Master , directed by Manmohan Desai. [10]

Banu established herself with successful films during the 1960s including Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968) and Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), with Rajendra Kumar, [11] April Fool (1964), with Biswajit Chatterjee, Aao Pyaar Karen (1964), and Shagird (1967) with Joy Mukherjee. Banu also appeared in Pyar Mohabbat with Dev Anand (1966). [12] [13]

The 1967 film Aman , opposite Rajendra Kumar, was her first release after her marriage. She acted in three films with Manoj Kumar, Shaadi , Purab Aur Paschim and Balidaan . Cult film Padosan , in 1968, opposite Sunil Dutt, catapulted her to the top league and she continued to play the heroine for several years after that. [14] Victoria No. 203 with Navin Nischol is her biggest hit. She acted in three films with her husband: Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag . [15] Only Gopi was successful at the box office. She acted in six with Dharmendra: Jwar Bhata, Aadmi Aur Insaan , Resham Ki Dori , Pocket Maar, International Crook and Chaitali out of which 5 were Superhit. [16] [17] In an interview, she said that she regretted missing the chance to work with Rajesh Khanna. She quoted: "I was supposed to work with him in Chhoti Bahu (1971), but I could not because I was ill. I shot with him for two days and found that he was very charming, humble, and a shy person." [18] She was paired with Vinod Khanna in hit movie Aarop and Amitabh Bachchan in super hit films Zameer and Hera Pheri . Nehle Pe Dehla with Sunil Dutt in 1976 was her last successful film. With a slew of flops and certain films on hold, she drew the curtains on her career as a heroine. [19]

She has earned three Filmfare nominations for Best Actress: Shagird (1967), Diwana (1968), and Sagina (1974). However, despite Banu's success, several critics bemoaned that she "made it on glamour and not on talent". In response to the criticism, she stated in a 1973 interview: [20]

Maybe they (critics) are right—but what matters is that I am around, whether they like it or not. Remember, the same was said for the great star Madhubala, comparing her to Marilyn Monroe, and I am happy to be in such illustrious company!

Banu appeared in a cameo opposite her husband in Duniya (1984), wherein the song "Teri Meri Zindagi" became very popular. Her delayed film Faisla was eventually released in 1988 and is officially her last film. [21]

Personal life

Banu with husband Dilip Kumar Dilip Kumar Saira Banu still2.jpg
Banu with husband Dilip Kumar

Banu married actor Dilip Kumar on 11 October 1966. [22] [23] Banu was 22 and Kumar 44 years old at the time of marriage. [24] Banu and Kumar lived in Bandra. They did not have any children. In his autobiography, Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow, he revealed that Banu had conceived in 1972, but developed complications in the pregnancy, leading to a miscarriage. Following this, they did not try to have children again, believing it to be God's will. [25] [26]

Legacy

Banu at an event SairaBanu1.jpg
Banu at an event

Banu is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema. [1] In 2022, she was placed in Outlook India 's "75 Best Bollywood Actresses" list. [27] Banu was placed 9th in Rediff.com 's "Best Bollywood Debut Ever" list, for her film Junglee. [28] She was also placed in Times of India 's "50 Beautiful Faces" list. [29] Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com noted, "Saira Banu is a fey beauty, as delicate as filigreed lace. But the painted talons she flashed on screen were also a symbol of her tenacity and spirit." [30] India TV termed her a "terrific actress" and noted, "Three words that best describe legendary actress Saira Banu are elegance, divine and gorgeous." [31]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
1961 Junglee Rajkumari
1962 Shaadi Gauri
1963 Bluffmaster Seema
1964 Ayee Milan Ki Bela Barkha
April Fool Rita Christiana
Aao Pyaar Karen Shalini
Door Ki AwazBela/Jyoti
1966Saaz Aur AwaazGeeta
Yeh Zindagi Kitni Haseen Hai Princess/SaritaDouble Role
Pyar Mohabbat Rita Singh
1967 Shagird Poonam
Diwana Kamini Gupta
Aman Meloda
1968 Padosan Bindu
Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan Priya Khanna
1969 Aadmi Aur Insaan Meena Khanna
1970 Gopi Seema
Purab Aur Paschim Preeti
Sagina Mahato Lalita
1971 Balidaan Sheela
1972 Victoria No. 203 Rekha
1973 Jwar Bhata Gayatri
Daaman Aur Aag Rita
1974 Resham Ki Dori Anupama
International Crook Seema
Sagina Lalita
Pocketmaar Asha Rai
Aarop Aruna
Paise Ki GudiyaMadhaviDelayed release
1975 Zameer Sunita
Saazish Sunita
Chaitali Chaitali
Aakhri Daao Reena
MountoMeena
1976Aarambh
Bairaag Tara
Hera Pheri Kiran Singh
Koi Jeeta Koi Haara
Nehle Peh Dehlaa Beena
1977Mera Vachan Geeta Ki KasamChampa
1978 Kaala Aadmi Sheetal
1980 Desh Drohi
Lahu Pukarega
1984 Duniya Sumitra KumarGuest appearance
1988 Faisla RadhaFinal film/Delayed release

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryFilmResultRef.
1962 Filmfare Awards Best Actress Junglee Nominated [32]
1968 Shagird Nominated [33]
1969 Diwana Nominated [34]
1975 Sagina Nominated [35]
2017Raj Kapoor AwardsRaj Kapoor Lifetime AchievementContribution in the field of ArtsWon [36]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dilip Kumar</span> Indian actor (1922–2021)

Dilip Kumar was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema. Credited with pioneering method acting in cinema, he dominated the Indian cinema from the 50s throughout the 60s, being referred to as Abhinay Samrat. Kumar holds the record for most wins for the Filmfare Award for Best Actor and was also the inaugural recipient of the award. He holds the most dominant box-office record for a star in Hindi cinema with over 80% box-office successes and several long-standing gross records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kareena Kapoor Khan</span> Indian actress (born 1980)

Kareena Kapoor Khan is an Indian actress. A prolific leading lady of Hindi cinema since 2000, she is noted for her roles in a range of film genres—from romantic comedies to crime dramas. Kapoor is the recipient of several awards, including six Filmfare Awards, and as of 2024, is one of Hindi cinema's highest-paid actresses.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karisma Kapoor</span> Indian actress (born 1974)

Karisma Kapoor is an Indian actress who primarily works in Hindi films. One of the leading and highest-paid actresses of her time, Kapoor is the recipient of several accolades, including a National Film Award and four Filmfare Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shammi Kapoor</span> Indian film actor (1931–2011)

Shammi Kapoor (born Shamsher Raj Kapoor; was an Indian actor known for his work in Hindi cinema. Kapoor is considered as one of the greatest and most successful actors in the history of Indian cinema. In a career spanning over five decades, Kapoor worked in over 100 films. He is the recipient of three Filmfare Awards, including one for Best Actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sunil Dutt</span> Indian film actor, producer, director and politician (1929–2005)

Sunil Dutt was an Indian actor, film producer, director and politician. Dutt was honoured with Padma Shri, in 1968, by the Government of India, for his contribution to Indian cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nargis</span> Indian actress (1929–1981)

Nargis Dutt known mononyomusly as Nargis was an Indian actress and politician who worked in Hindi cinema. Regarded as one of the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian Cinema, she often portrayed sophisticated and independent women. Nargis' work was in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama, and earned her various accolades. In 2013, an Eastern Eye poll named her as the sixth greatest Bollywood star of all time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sridevi</span> Indian actress (1963–2018)

Sridevi Kapoor, known mononymously as Sridevi, was an Indian actress who worked in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi, Malayalam, and Kannada language films. Cited as the "first female superstar" of Indian cinema, she was the recipient of various accolades, including a National Film Award, five Filmfare Awards, two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards, a Kerala State Film Award, and a Nandi Award. Sridevi's career spanned over 50 years in a wide range of genres. She was known for her reticent and introverted off-screen personality, but headstrong and outspoken on-screen persona, often playing strong-willed women. In 2013, Sridevi was honoured with the Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian honour. In a 2013 national poll conducted by CNN-IBN on the occasion of the centenary of Indian cinema, Sridevi was voted "India's Greatest Actress in 100 Years",

Rajendra Kumar, was an Indian actor who starred in Bollywood films. Starting his career in 1949, he appeared in more than 80 films in a career spanning over four decades. He was popularly known as the Jubilee Kumar during the 1960s when he starred in several commercially successful films.

Geeta Bali was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. Bali is regarded among the finest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Bali acted in over 75 films in a career spanning over two decades. She was twice nominated for Filmfare Awards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leena Chandavarkar</span> 20th and 21st-century Indian actress

Leena Chandavarkar is an Indian former actress who appeared in Bollywood movies as a leading actress and now appears in reality shows. She was an actress during the late 60s and early 70s. She played leading heroine opposite almost all superstars during that era and was frequently paired opposite Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Dilip Kumar, Sunil Dutt and Raaj Kumar.

<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.

<i>Padosan</i> 1968 Comedy film

Padosan is a 1968 Indian Hindi-language musical comedy film directed by Jyoti Swaroop and produced by Mehmood, N. C. Sippy and written by Rajendra Krishan. It is a remake of the Bengali-language film Pasher Bari (1952) based on a short story of the same name by Arun Chowdhury, starring Bhanu Bandyopadhyay and Sabitri Chatterjee. The film stars Sunil Dutt and Saira Banu. Kishore Kumar, Mukri, Raj Kishore and Keshto Mukherjee played the supporting roles.

<i>Junglee</i> (1961 film) 1961 Indian film

Junglee is a 1961 Indian comedy film produced and directed by Subodh Mukherjee. The music is composed by Shankar-Jaikishan and the lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri. The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Saira Banu in lead roles, along with Shashikala, Anoop Kumar, Lalita Pawar in supporting roles. Saira Banu earned a Filmfare nomination as Best Actress.

<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).

<i>Bairaag</i> 1976 Indian film

Bairaag (transl. Renunciation) is a 1976 Hindi-language film. Produced by the duo Mushir-Riaz, it is directed by Asit Sen. The film stars Dilip Kumar, who received a Filmfare nomination for Best Actor for playing a triple role. Bairaag also stars Saira Banu, Leena Chandavarkar, Ruma Guha Thakurta, Prem Chopra, Helen, Sujit Kumar, Madan Puri, Paintal, Kader Khan, Asit Sen and Sachin. Its music is by the duo Kalyanji Anandji, who received a Filmfare nomination for Best Music. The film received a Filmfare Award for Best Sound for P. Harikishan. The film failed to perform at the box office. It was Dilip Kumar's third consecutive failure at box-office, the first and only time in his career since Milan (1946). After this film, he went on an indefinite hiatus and returned after 4 years in Kranti (1981).

<i>Sagina</i> (film) 1974 Indian film

Sagina is a 1974 Hindi film, produced by J. K. Kapur and directed by Tapan Sinha, the film stars Dilip Kumar, Saira Banu, Aparna Sen, and Om Prakash. It was a remake of 1970 Bengali movie Sagina Mahato directed by Tapan Sinha with the same lead pair in the cast. This version was a commercial failure, and Dilip Kumar's first consecutive failure in almost three decades since 1945. His last film Dastaan (1972) was also a commercial failure.

The 22nd Filmfare Awards were held in 1975.

The 15th Filmfare Awards were held in 1968, celebrating the best in Hindi cinema in 1967.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Karisma Kapoor filmography</span>

Karisma Kapoor is an Indian actress widely known for her work in Hindi films. Kapoor made her acting debut at the age of seventeen with the romance Prem Qaidi in 1991, which was a box office hit. She then appeared in successful ventures, drama Sapne Sajan Ke (1992), and action drama Jigar (1992). Kapoor had her first commercial success in a leading role in romantic action drama Anari (1993), which was a moderate success and was one of the highest-grossing Hindi films of 1993. Between 1993–1996 she featured in several highly successful films, including the comedy drama Raja Babu (1994), action drama Suhaag (1994), action comedy Andaz (1994), the comedies Coolie No. 1 (1995), Saajan Chale Sasural (1996), and Hero No. 1 (1997), and the action thriller Jeet (1996). The success of these films marked a turning point in her career, and established Kapoor as one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Naseem Banu</span> Indian actress (1916–2002)

Naseem Banu was an Indian actress. She was referred to as Naseem. Starting her acting career in the mid-1930s she continued to act till mid-1950s. Her first film was Khoon Ka Khoon (Hamlet) (1935) with Sohrab Modi under whose Minerva Movietone banner she acted for several years. Her high-point came with Modi's Pukar (1939) in which she played the role of Empress Nur Jahan. According to composer Naushad she got the sobriquet Pari-Chehra Naseem through the publicity advertisements of her films. She was the mother of actress Saira Banu and mother-in-law to the actor Dilip Kumar.

References

  1. 1 2 "Top heroines of Bollywood". India Today . Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 24 August 2020.
  2. ↑ Kumar, Dilip (28 July 2014). Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow. Hay House, Inc. ISBN   978-93-81398-96-8.
  3. ↑ "Nostalgia: Saira Banu". 29 August 2017. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 12 December 2019.
  4. ↑ ""Serving Yusufsaab a cup of tea in the morning is more rewarding and enjoyable than appreciation for my performance": Saira Banu". Cine Blitz. 23 August 2021.
  5. ↑ "Saira Banu recalls her birthday celebrations with Dilip Kumar: We would all feast together". Indian Express. 23 August 2022. Retrieved 23 August 2022.
  6. ↑ Pandya, Haresh (4 September 2002). "Naseem Banu: First Female Superstar of Indian Cinema". The Guardian. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
  7. ↑ "Saira Banu's grand niece Sayyeshaa Saigal is all set for Telugu debut with Akhil". News18. 11 February 2015. Retrieved 26 February 2018.
  8. ↑ Rana Siddiqui Zaman (12 August 2010). "Arts / Cinema : My First Break: Saira Banu". The Hindu. Retrieved 10 July 2012.
  9. ↑ "Junglee (1961)". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  10. ↑ Mahaan, Deepak (24 November 2011). "Blast from the past: Bluff Master (1963)". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 6 April 2022.
  11. ↑ "Ayee Milan Ki Bela". Archived from the original on 12 February 2010. Retrieved 26 January 2009.
  12. ↑ "Shagrid (1967)". Raaga.com . Archived from the original on 1 February 2013. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  13. ↑ Rahman, M. (29 February 1988). "Old Hindi movies make a dramatic comeback". India Today. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
  14. ↑ Upadhyaya, Amit (2 December 2018). "Padosan is a film that can't be made in today's Republic of Easy Offended India". The Print. Retrieved 2 December 2018.
  15. ↑ Suresh Kohli (27 December 2012). "Sagina (1974)". The Hindu. Retrieved 17 March 2013.
  16. ↑ "Box office 1972". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 10 June 2007. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  17. ↑ Malhotra, Aps (24 September 2015). "Bairaag (1976)". The Hindu. ISSN   0971-751X . Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  18. ↑ "Rajesh Khanna was very shy person: Saira Banu". The Times of India. 18 July 2012. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
  19. ↑ Kohli, Suresh (11 October 2013). "Hera Pheri (1976)". The Hindu . Retrieved 22 September 2018.
  20. ↑ "'What Matters is That I am Around': When Saira Banu Gave Befitting Reply to Critics". News18. 21 December 2021. Retrieved 23 December 2021.
  21. ↑ "Mohan Kumar plans a revenge | Duniya (1984) | Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Rishi Kapoor & Amrita Singh". YouTube. 26 April 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2015.
  22. ↑ Devinder Bir Kaur (7 July 2002). "Dilip Kumar saw a psychoanalyst after acting as Devdas". The Sunday Tribune. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  23. ↑ "Dilip Kumar turns 84". IBN Live . 11 December 2006. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 14 August 2011.
  24. ↑ Bhatia, Ritu (2 September 2012). "Don't mind the (age) gap". India Today. Archived from the original on 6 September 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  25. ↑ Kumar, Dilip (2014). Dilip Kumar: The Substance and the Shadow. Hay House India. ISBN   9789381398869.
  26. ↑ "Dilip Kumar Death: Why does the actor not have any children?". Free Press Journal. Archived from the original on 7 July 2021. Retrieved 7 July 2021.
  27. ↑ "75 Bollywood Actresses Who Ruled The Silver Screen With Grace, Beauty And Talent". Outlook India. 16 August 2022. Archived from the original on 16 August 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
  28. ↑ "Best Bollywood Debutants Ever". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 24 February 2018.
  29. ↑ "Photos - 50 Beautiful Faces: 100 years of Indian Cinema". Times of India. Retrieved 25 November 2021.
  30. ↑ "Tenacious Saira Banu!". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 29 November 2020.
  31. ↑ "5 best performances of the legendary Saira Banu we can't forget". India TV. Archived from the original on 28 November 2020. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  32. ↑ "Filmfare Award Winners – 1962". Times of India. Archived from the original on 12 February 2008. Retrieved 19 February 2012.
  33. ↑ "Filmfare Nominees and Winner[sic]". The Times Group. Retrieved 19 October 2020– via Internet Archive.
  34. ↑ "Check Out The Complete Filmfare Awards Winners List from 1953 to 2023". Filmfare. Retrieved 24 February 2021.
  35. ↑ "Filmfare Nominations – 1974". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 26 January 2013. Retrieved 14 June 2011.
  36. ↑ "Saira Banu, Jackie Shroff get Raj Kapoor awards". The Indian Express. 19 April 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.