Blessed with a lively and genuine persona, Geeta Bali was known for her charm, beauty, infectious innocence, and generous heart. Some of her most famous films were “Sohag Rat,” “Dulari,” “Badi Bahen,” “Baware Nain,” “Anand Math,” “Albela,” “Kavi,” “Rangeen Raaten,” and many more.
Early Life Geeta Bali
Geeta Bali was born Harikirtan Kaur on November 30, 1930, in Amritsar, Punjab. Geeta’s father, Kartar Singh, was a philosopher and a Sikh scholar, which influenced her upbringing. She also trained in classical dance, horse riding, and Gatka, a traditional form of martial arts.
She started her film career as a child actress at the age of 12 with Roop K. Shorey’s “The Cobbler (1942).” Her family moved to Mumbai when she began to get breaks in films.
Debut of an Star
A few years after that, she made her adult debut with “Badnaami (1946),” with Balraj Sahni, Pran, and Zubeida. She then acted in films like Kahan Gaye (1946), Jalsa (1948), and Nai Reet (1946).
Her first success comes with Kidar Sharma’s “Sohag Rat (1948),” with Bharat Bhushan and Begum Para, A. R. Kardar’s “Dulari (1949),” with Madhubala and Suresh, as well as D. D. Kashyap’s “Badi Bahen (1949),” with Suraiya and Rehman, making her one of the most sought-after actresses of the time.
Next year she starred opposite Raj Kapoor in Kidar Sharma’s “Baware Nain (1950).” The film had one of the most beautiful Mukesh and Geeta Dutt songs, “Khayalon Mein Kisi Ke.” The film also had the naughty “Sun Bairi Balam Sach Bol Re,” sung superbly by Raj Kumari and Mukesh. In 1952, she acted “Anand Math” alongside Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit, Pradeep Kumar and Bharat Bhushan
Geeta Bali – The Darling of Masses
Geeta Bali had an innate ability to portray a wide range of characters and was especially known for her comic timing. Her role in “Albela (1951)” opposite Bhagwan Dada was particularly notable. Her song “Shola Jo Bhadke” from the film has become iconic.
Guru Dutt paired Geeta Bali with Dev Anand in “Baazi (1951).” The film was a big success, and her chemistry with Anand was widely praisded. Her song “Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Taqdeer Bana Le” became the philosophical anthem of a generation. One of her most successful pairings came with Dev Anand, and they went on to act in many films, including “Baazi (1951),” “Jaal (1952),” “Ferry (1954),” “Milap (1955),” “Faraar (1955),” and “Pocket Maar (1956).”
For her role in Raj Rishi’s “Vachan,” she received the Filmfare Award nomination for Best Actress. She again gets nominated for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress for her role in Debaki Kumar Bose’s “Kavi (1954).”
Geeta Bali and Shammi Kapoor
In 1955, Geeta Bali married actor Shammi Kapoor, whom she met during the shooting of the film “Miss Coca Cola (1955).” They also did two more films, “Rangeen Raaten” in 1956 and “Coffee House” in 1957, together. Their love story was the stuff of Bollywood legends, with Shammi proposing to her in a dramatic fashion. The couple had two children, Aditya Raj Kapoor and Kanchan.
Despite marrying into the Kapoor family, Geeta Bali continued to act in films, unlike many other actresses of her time who gave up their careers after marriage. Geeta Bali acted in over 70 films in a career spanning more than two decades. Geeta had a special kind of spontaneity and expressiveness. She was a rare talent who had the ability to transform with the click of the camera. All those qualities made her one of the most beloved actresses of her time.
Continuing Success
Some of her other notable films include “Nishana (1950),” “Bedardi (1951), “Betaab (1952),” “Zalzala (1952),” “Jhamela (1953),” “Suhaagan (1955), “Ameer (1945),” “Albeli (1955),” “Kavi (1955),” “Vachan” (1955), “Milap” (1955), “Sailaab (1956),” “Jailor” (1958), “Do Mastane (1958), Nai Raahen (1959), Bade Ghar Ki Bahu (1960), Sapne Suhane (1961), and “Mr. India” (1961). She also sang a song, “Main Ek Shola Aag Babola,” with Shamshad Begum and Uma Devi in “Rangeen Raten,” under the music direction of Roshan.
Some famous songs picturised on Geeta Bali include “Chandni Banke Aayee (Dulari),” “Sun Bairi Balam Sach Bol Re (Bawre Nain),” “Tadbeer Se Bigdi Hui Takdir (Baazi),” “Sharmaye Kaahe Ghabraye (Baazi),” “Yeh Raat Yeh Chandni Phir Kaha (Jaal),” “Chori Chori Meri Gali Aana Hai Bura (Jaal),” “Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khote,” “Shaam Dhale Khidki Tale,” “Shola Jo Bhadke” (Albela), “Chale Jaana Nahin Nain Milake (Bari Behen),” “Chanda Chandni Mein Jab (Mujrim),” “Chanda Mama Door Ke (Vachan),” “Sari Sari Raat Teri (Aji Bas Shukriya),” “Yeh Nayee Nayee Preet Hai (Pocketmaar),” and many more.
Geeta Bali was a kind and helpful soul who never shied away from helping others. She famously helped Surinder Kapoor become a producer. She was involved in various philanthropic efforts and charitable activities. Her generosity and kindness were well-known in the industry.
Industry Lost Jewel
On the sets of Rajendre Singh Bedi’s Punjabi film “Rano” with Dharmendra, Geeta Bali contracted smallpox, from which she never recovered. She died on 21st January 1965, at the age of 35. Reportedly, Rajendre Singh Bedi burnt the film’s negatives in her funeral pyre.
Vidya Balan portrayed the role of Geeta Bali in the 2016 film “Ekk Albela,” which was based on the life of Bhagwan Dada.
Geeta Bali, one of the finest, bravest, and most humane actresses from Hindi cinema’s golden era, left us early, but memories of her unswerving curls, chirpy eyes, and pixie smile that breathe life will live on.
Geeta Bali on IMDB
