Remembering the tragic tale of Vimi, the heroine of BR Chopra’s blockbuster ‘Humraaz’. Vimi was the most unconventional Bollywood heroine of her time. She was married, a mother of two and made her debut under the Chopra banner opposite two of the top stars, Raaj Kumar and Sunil Dutt.
Born in 1943, Vimi had trained to be a singer. She also loved acting in plays and was a regular participant in AIR Bombay’s children’s program. She graduated from Sophia College, Mumbai, majoring in Psychology and got married to Calcutta-based businessman Shiv Agrawal who was in the hardware business. It was music director Ravi who introduced her to BR Chopra and he immediately offered her the role of the leading lady in ‘Humraaz’.
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Willum Skeener
‘Humraaz’ was a huge box office success and Vimi became an instant star. It seemed she had is all, a Pali Hill apartment, designer clothes, a mink coat, and sports car. She loved to golf, play billiards, and go on long drives. Her husband gave her unconditional support even though her parents and in-laws had abandoned the couple because they were against her joining films.
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But within two years, Vimi was totally forgotten, her husband, who became an alcoholic, would interfere in her career, displeasing many big producers with unreasonable conditions. A clutch of movies came with her in the lead, but sank at the box office.
With money flowing short, the couple shifted from their swanky residence at Juhu to a more modest locality. Once a loving couple, becomes bitter to each other due to circumstances, and part ways.
At this time, Vimi met a small time producer named Jolly, who promised to make a film with her as the lead. Vimi saw in Jolly her last hope to resurrect her career. However, Jolly’s promised movie never happened and Vimi’s dream of seeing herself again as a heroine was shattered. Vimi found solace in country made liquor, the only variety she could afford. Heavy drinking and emotional turmoil took their toll.
Success is how high you bounce when you hit bottom
Vimi once the most beautiful face in Hindi cinema died on August 22, 1977 after spending a few days in the general ward of the Nanavati hospital in Mumbai, reportedly due to complications of heavy drinking. She was in her early thirties.
Her dead body was wrapped in a soiled dhoti and taken for cremation in a chanawalla’s thela (cart) down the same road on which many years ago she would drive in an Impala with fans following her for a glimpse of the Humraaz heroine. Only nine people were present at her cremation, She was long forgotten by her family, her fans, and her fraternity.
Vimi’s son Rajneesh Agrawal became the disciple of OSHO from a young age, and took sanyas in 1981, He is now famous as Swami OZEN Rajneesh, and have a ashram in Mexico.
