An exceptional dancer, actress par excellence, and dreamy beauty, “Kumkum” acted in more than 120 films in her career of over 25 years. Some of her bmost memorable films include Mother India, Naya Daur, Kohinoor, Son of India, Mr. X in Bombay, Ujala, Ganga Ki Laharen, Raja Aur Runk, Aankhen, Geet, and Lalkaar.
Early Life and Career
Kumkum was born as “Sayyeda Zaibunnisa” on April 22, 1934, in Hussainabad, Sheikhpura district, Bihar. Her parents were Nawab Sayyed Manzoor Hassan and Khursheeda Bano. The once wealthy family comes into financial crisis after losing the favours of the British, probably due to their opposition to the government. Her family moved to Kolkata, where she was brought up. Little Zaibunnisa was always fascinated with dance. Her love of dance took her to Lucknow to learn Kathak from the legendary Pandit Shambhu Maharaj.
In Lucknow, she also got to know legendary music director Naushad Saab. When she visited Mumbai in 1947, he introduced her to the industry. Shehanai (1947), starring Nasir Khan and Rehana, was the first film where she appeared in the song “Hamare Angana Baje Shehnai.” She followed by her other dances in films like “Hip Hip Hurre,” “Sheesha (1952),” “Aansoo (1953),” “Noor Mahal (1954),” and “Gawaiya (1954).” Her most famous song “Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar” came in Guru Dutt’s “Aar Paar (1954).” This was the start of a career that would span nearly two decades and over 120 films.
Breakthrough of Kumkum
After Aar Paar, Gurudutt offered her an acting role in his next “Mr. and Mrs. 55 (1955)” and “Pyaasa (1957).” She also appeared in “House No. 44 (1955),” “Kar Bhala (1956),” “Funtoosh (1956),” and “Mem Sahib (1956), where she was the second lead and paired with Shammi Kapoor.” In 1957, she starred opposite Rajendra Kumar in Mehboob Khan’s “Mother India.”
Kumkum also played the lead in films like Ghar Sansaar (1958) with Rajendra Kumar, Char Dil Char Rahen (1959) with Shammi Kapoor, Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960) with Dharmendra, Mehboob Khan’s Son of India (1962), King Kong (1962) with Dara Singh, Mr. X in Bombay (1964) with Kishore Kumar, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera (1965), and Main Wohi Hoon (1966) with Feroz Khan.
Her on-screen pairings with Kishore Kumar was very successful.. They worked together in films like “Shararat,” “Krorepati,” “Ganga Ki Laharen,” “Shreeman Funtoosh,” and “Mr. X in Bombay (1964).” She starred in the evergreen song “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi” from Mr. X in Bombay. She has also done several films with Sheikh Mukhtar, including Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961), “Burmah Road (1962),” “Barood,” “Smuggler (1966),” “Sab Ka Ustad (1965),” “Gunehgar (1967),” and “Shera Daku (1966).”
Her skills in dance were showcased in several films most notably “Kohinoor (1960)” alongside Dilip Kumar. She performed the song “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re,” which remains popular to this day. Some of her other notable dances are “Ghooghat Nahi Kholoon Saiya Tore Aage…” (Mother India), “Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jali Ka” (Naya Daur), “Dagaa dagaa vai vai vai” (Kaali Topi Laal Roomaal), “Mora Naadan Balma Song” (Ujaala), and “Zulmi Hamare Saawariya” (Mr. X in Bombay).
Kumkum’s filmography is extensive, with films like “Salaam Mem Saheb,” “Shola Jo Bhadke,” “Nache Nagin Baje Been,” “Rangeela Raja,” “Bambai Ki Billi,” “Sab Ka Ustad,” “Ankhen,” “Raja Aur Runk,” “Gunah Aur Kanoon,” Geet,” “Lalkar,” “Jalte Badan,” and many more.
Kumkum has also done some iconic Bhojpuri films, including the first ever Bhojpuri film “Ganga Maiya Tohre Piyari Chadhaibo (1963)” and “Laagi Nahin Chhute Ram (1963).” Some of her Bhojpuri songs are the classics of the language, like “Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo,” “More Karejwa Men Pir,” “mori kalaiya sukumar ho chubh jaala kangnwa,” “Banwari ho,” Ja Ja re sugna Jare,” and “Lal Lal hothwa pe,” among others.
Some of her other Bhojpuri films were Balma Bada Nadaan (1964), Naihar Chhutal Jaye (1964), Bhauji (1965), and Ganga (1965).
Personal Life
Kumkum married Sajjad Akbar Khan, a Lucknow native working in Saudi Arabia, in 1975. The couple had two children: daughter Sayyeda Andaleeb Akbar Khan, an actress and writer, and son Syed Hadi Ali Abrar. Kumkum moved to Saudi Arabia post-marriage, living there for 23 years.
She returned to India in 1995. In her later years, she lived in Bandra, Mumbai, focusing on family and occasional industry events. Kumkum died on July 28, 2020, at age 86 from age-related issues. Her last rites took place at Mazgaon cemetery in Mumbai.
Kumkum on IMDB
