Meena Kumari filmography

Meena Kumari (1 August 1933 — 31 March 1972) was an Indian film actress, playback singer, poet and costume designer who predominantly worked in Indian cinema between 1939—72. Meena Kumari started her film career with Leatherface, a 1939 film with the name Baby Mahjabeen. For around six years, Baby Meena (as she was called in her later films), continued to appear as a child artist in a string of films before making her debut with Bachchon Ka Khel as Meena Kumari. However, it was the film Baiju Bawra (1952) which turned Kumari into an overnight star and Parineeta (1953) which further solidified her position as a bankable leading lady. For sometime, Kumari continued to show off her versatility as an artist, featuring in films ranging from drama to fantasy and even comedy before adopting the genre which earned her the sobriquet— Queen of Tragedy.

Meena Kumari in Miss Mary (1957)

From 1950s to 60s, Meena Kumari continued to reign the box office with her sensitive portrayals of gut-wrenching characters. Some of her popular films include Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Aarti, Main Chup Rahungi (all 1962), Dil Ek Mandir (1963) and Kaajal (1965). By late 1960s, Meena Kumari got addicted to alcohol which slowed down her career graph, with many of her films failing to create the required numbers at the box office. Some of her last successful films include Phool Aur Patthar (1966) and Pakeezah (1972) which went on to become her swan song. Soon after the release of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari breathed her last on March 31, 1972. In addition to being an accomplished actress, Kumari was also a poet and a playback singer. She sang in some of her early films as a child artist and to her poems which came out in an album, I Write, I Recite (1971). Meena Kumari also designed the costumes in her final landmark film Pakeezah. In her career of 33 years she appeared in 92 films, an advertisement, and a documentary.

The following is the complete filmography of actress Meena Kumari.