Suraiya was a prominent actress and playback singer in the Hindi film industry during the 1940s and 1950s. She was born on June 15, 1929, in Lahore, British India (now Pakistan), and her full name was Suraiya Jamal Sheikh. Suraiya started her career as a child artist and later became a leading actress known for her beauty, acting skills and melodious voice. Saira Banu Shares Heartfelt Post Reminiscing Working With Sunil Dutt in Nehle Pe Dehla and His Friendship With ‘Dilip Sahib’.

Actress Suraiya remains an iconic figure in the history of Indian cinema, remembered for her contributions to both acting and music during the golden era of Hindi films. On her birth anniversary today, here’s looking at some of the lesser known facts about the ‘Malika-e-Husn’ of Hindi Cinema’s Golden Era.

Early Start In Films: Suraiya began her film career as a child artist. She made her debut as a child actor in Jaddan Bai’s Madame Fashion (1936) before making her debut as a heroine in Taj Mahal (1941) in which she portrayed the character Mumtaz Mahal.

Monikers: Suraiya, renowned during her prime, earned the titles of ‘Malika-e-Husn’ (Queen of Beauty) and ‘Malika-e-Adakari’ (Queen of Acting) for her extraordinary allure and exceptional talent.

Popular Onscreen Pairing: Suraiya and Dev Anand were celebrated as one of the most successful onscreen pairs of their time. Their chemistry captivated audiences in several films. However, their cinematic partnership came to an end with the film Sanam, after which they never collaborated on another project. Late Actor Pran Had to Hide Newspaper Carrying Info About His Debut Film From His Father - Here's Why.

Relationship: Suraiya and Dev Anand’s romance, spanning from 1948 to 1951, captivated Bollywood. They planned to marry during the filming of Jeet (1949), but their elopement was thwarted by a jealous assistant director who informed Suraiya’s grandmother. Due to her grandmother’s strong opposition, rooted in their differing religions—Suraiya being Muslim and Dev Anand Hindu—their relationship ended, leaving a bittersweet mark on their lives.

Retirement: Suraiya retired from acting in 1963 after her last film, Rustom Sohrab, with Prithviraj Kapoor. She chose to live a private life away from the public eye. Her final involvement in the film industry was in 1964, when she produced the film Shagoon.

Actress Suraiya will always be remembered for her remarkable contributions to Hindi Cinema. On this special day, we honour her enduring impact and celebrate the timeless charm she brought to the silver screen.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 15, 2024 12:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).