Widely considered one of the most beautiful actresses of her time, Mala Sinha is a legendary actress. She is known for her grace, versatility, and powerful performances in films like Pyaasa, Dhool Ka Phool, Phir Subah Hogi, Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh, Gumrah, Bahurani, Himalay Ki God Mein, Ankhen, Maryada, and many more.
Early Life
Mala Sinha was born Alda Sinha on November 11, 1936, in Calcutta, to Christian Nepali parents who had immigrated to West Bengal from the Nepalese plains. Her father, Albert Sinha, was a singer, and her mother was a homemaker. Mala’s initial name was Alda, but her friends at school in Calcutta used to tease her by calling her “Dalda” (a brand of vegetable oil). To avoid the teasing, she changed her name to Baby Nazma when she got her first assignment as a child artist. Later, as an adult actor, she changed her name to Mala Sinha.
From a young age, Mala Sinha was inclined towards the arts. She learnt dancing and singing and used to sing on All India Radio. Mala Sinha in her long career only sang once for a film, a duet with Manhar Udhas for 1972 film Lalkar, “Mere Mehboob Meri Baat Tumhen Kya Maloom,” a beautiful love song written by Hasrat Jaipuri.
Entry In Films
Mala made her acting debut as a child artist in the Bengali film Jai Vaishno Devi (1950), followed by Shri Krishan Leela in the same year. Her breakthrough came with Ardhendu Bose’s Bengali film “Roshanara (1952),” followed by Jog Biyog (1953) and Dhooli (1954).
Mala Sinha’s Hindi film debut came opposite Pradeep Kumar in Amiya Chakrabarty’s “Badshah (1954).” She then acted in films like Hamlet (1954) with Kishore Sahu, Ekadashi (1955) opposite Trilok Kapoor, Riyasat (1955) with Mahipal, and Paisa Hi Paisa (1956) with Kishore Kumar.
In Bombay, she met Geeta Bali. Both of them hit it off immediately and become friends. Geeta introduced her to director Kidar Sharma, who cast both of them in with Shammi Kapoor in Rangeen Raten (1956).
Mala Sinha’s real breakthrough in Hindi films came with Guru Dutt’s “Pyaasa” (1957). She played the role of Meena, a woman torn between love and materialism. The film was a critical and commercial success, and Mala’s performance was widely praised. Following the success of “Pyaasa,” Mala Sinha starred in a series of hit films, including “Parwarish (1958),” “Phir Subha Hogi (1958),” and “Main Nashe Mein Hoon (1959)” with Raj Kapoor, “Love Marriage (1959),” and “Maya (1961)” with Dev Anand.
Mala Sinha The Superstar
In BR Chopra’s “Dhool Ka Phool (1959),” directed by Yash Chopra, she starred with Rajendra kumar and Ashok Kumar. She played the role of Meena, an unwed mother who abandoned her child due to social stigma. Sinha gets the Filmfare Best Actress nomination for her performance in the film. She again played an unwed mother in Chopra Brothers’s next social “Dharmputra” in 1961.
BR Chopra again cast her in his romantic drama “Gumrah” with Ashok Kumar and Sunil Dutt in 1963. It is the story of a girl who have to marry her brother-in-law after her sister dies. The girl played by Mala Sinha faced an impossible situation when her own lover turned up in her life. The film has beautiful song like “Aap Aaye To,” “Chalo Ek Baar Phir Se,” and “Tujhko Mera Pyar Pukare.”
Her portrayal of strong female characters in films like “Ujala (1959),” “Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962),” “Dil Tera Deewana (1962),” “Bahurani (1963),” “Himalay Ki God Mein (1965),” “Aasra (1966),” “Dillagi (1966),” “Jaal (1967),” “Do Kaliyan (1968),” “Humsaya (1968),” and Mere Huzoor (1968)” established her as one of the top leading actresses in Hindi cinema.
The Darling of Critics and Masses
Mala Sinha first worked with Dharmendra in Mohan Kumar’s “Anpadh (1962),” a musical. She followerd it with “Pooja Ke Phool (1964),” “Neela Akash (1965),” “Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966),” “Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai (1967),” “Ankhen (1968),” and “Lalkar (1972).”
In 1964, Mala Sinha starred in the historical epic “Jahan Ara.” She took the role after Meena Kumari recommended her, feeling Sinha was more suited for it. Reflecting in 2001, Sinha revealed she initially hesitated due to her lack of Urdu knowledge. It was Meena Kumari’s confidence in her, which gave her the courage to do it. Portraying Mumtaz Mahal’s eldest daughter required intensive Urdu lessons and mastering royal etiquette. The production, with grand sets at Ranjit Studio had Madan Mohan’s evocative music. It left Sinha with lasting memories and unforgettable moments.
Throughout her career, Mala Sinha worked in a variety of films, showcasing her versatility as an actress. Some of her later notable works include “Geet (1970),” “Kangan (1971),” “Sanjog (1971),” “Maryada (1971), “Holi Ayee Re (1971),” “36 Ghante (1974),” “Phir Kab Milogi (1974),” and “Sunehra Sansar (1975).”
Transition to The Character Roles
From the mid-70s, Sinha transitioned into character roles. She continue to did selected films like Do Ladkiyan (1976), Zindagi (1976), Prayashchit (1977), Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978), Karmayogi (1978), Be-Reham (1980), Dhan Daulat (1980), Nek Parveen (1982), Aasmaan (1984), Babu (1985), and Dil Tujhko Diya (1987).
After a hiatus of many years, she made a comeback in 1992. She played Rani Ma in Rakesh Roshan’s comedy “Khel (1992),” with Anil Kapoor and Madhuri. She also did films like Radha Ka Sangam (1992) and Zid (1994), after which she retired permanently from the films.
Personal Life
Mala Sinha married Chidambar Prasad Lohani, a Nepali businessman, in 1966. The couple has a daughter named Pratibha Sinha, who also pursued a career in acting.
Mala Sinha’s contributions to Indian cinema have left a lasting impact on the industry. Her ability to portray diverse characters with depth and authenticity earned her a special place in the hearts of audiences. She was known as the “daring diva” and “torchbearer of women’s cinema” for essaying strong female-centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of their times.
Throughout her career, Mala Sinha received numerous awards and honors. She was nominated for four Filmfare Best Actress Awards for Dhool Ka Phool, Bahurani, Jahan Ara, and Himalay Ki God Mein. Mala Sinha won two Best Actress Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards (BFJA) for “Jahan Ara” and “Himalay Ki God Mein.” She gets the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018, for her outstanding contributions to the film industry.
Mala Sinha on IMDB
