Meena Kumari Net Worth in 2023 (Bio, Career, Net Worth, Personal Life, Age, etc.)

Meena Kumari Net Worth. Meena Kumari was an Indian cinema actress and poet best known for her work in Hindi films. She was active between 1939 and 1972 and was regarded as “The Tragedy Queen.”

Critics have referred to Kumari as a “historically unparalleled” Hindi film actress. Meena Kumari’s Net Worth is estimated to be approximately $50 Million.

Meena Kumari Net worth and profile in one glance

Biography of Meena Kumari

Family background

Master Ali Bux, Meena Kumari’s father, was a Sunni Muslim who had migrated from Bhera (now in Punjab province of Pakistan). He was a Parsi theatre veteran who also played the harmonium, taught music, authored Urdu poetry, and appeared in films such as Eid Ka Chand and Shahi Lutere.

Meena Kumari’s mother, Iqbal Begum, was a Christian who converted to Islam after marrying Ali Bux. Her original name was Prabhawati Devi. Ali Bux’s second wife was Iqbal Begum. She was a theatrical actress and dancer under the stage name “Kamini” before meeting and marrying Ali Bux and was supposed to be related to the well-known Tagore family of Bengal.

Stepping stone into Meena Kumari Net Worth (Career)

Early work as Baby Meena

Meena Kumari started performing when she was four years old. Leatherface (1939), Adhuri Kahani (1939), Pooja (1940), and Ek Hi Bhool (1940) were among her first films with Vijay Bhatt (1940). During the filming of Ek Hi Bhool, Vijay Bhatt was renamed Mahjabeen “Baby Meena” (1940).

Nai Roshni (1941), Kasauti (1941), Vijay (1942), Garib (1942), Pratiggya (1943), and Lal Haveli (1943) were among the films that featured baby Meena (1944). Mehboob Khan directed the 1941 picture Bahen, which is the actress’s lone successful cooperation with the filmmaker.

Although Khan cast her in Amar thirteen years later, she departed the set after a few days and Madhubala took over her role. They never worked together again after that.

Early career

In Ramnik Productions’ Bachchon Ka Khel, Meena was cast as Meena Kumari (1946). Kumari’s life was rocked by the death of her mother, Iqbal Begum, who passed away only 18 months after the family moved to their new Bandra home. She died of lung cancer on March 25, 1947.

Some of her early films included Duniya Ek Sarai (1946), Piya Ghar Aaja (1948), and Bichchade Balam (1948), in which she not only acted but also sang songs. By the late 1940s, she had narrowed her attention to films based on mythology or fantasy.

With credit goes to Veer Ghatotkach (1949), Shri Ganesh Mahima (1950), Laxmi Narayan (1951), Hanuman Patal Vijay (1951), and Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag (1952). Kumari also appeared in films such as Magroor (1950), Hamara Ghar (1950), Sanam (1951), Madhosh (1951), and Tamasha (1952) in multi-starrers or main parts, but none of them left an indelible impression on the audience.

Meena Kumari was in dire need of a film that would make her a star in the eyes of the public, and she quickly found one in her tutor Vijay Bhatt’s musical Baiju Bawra (1952).

Primary source of Meena Kumari Net worth (Acting)

In Baiju Bawra The two main characters were supposed to perish in the river at the end of the movie. Kumari almost drowned while filming this scene, but she was eventually saved. Following the popularity of Baiju Bawra, a series of events occurred, ranging from Hindustan Lever signing rising star Meena Kumari as a model for their products to being included on the calendar of a prominent franchise.

Parineeta (starring Ashok Kumar and Meena Kumari) was directed by Bimal Roy and awarded Kumari her second Filmfare Best Actress Award. It was based on Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s 1914 Bengali novella, and this version of the film is considered to be the most authentic adaptation of the storey, thanks to Meena Kumari’s portrayal of Lalita.

Following the success of Parineeta, Bimal Roy was eager to cast Kumari in the character of Paaro in his next film, Devdas. However, things with Kamal Amrohi fell through, and the public missed out on Kumari’s chance to play the legendary character of Paaro in the film. Do Bigha Zamin, directed by Bimal Roy, was the first Indian film to win the International Prize at Cannes in 1954.

In her 33-year career, Meena Kumari makes her first guest appearance in this film. Meena’s debut film with Dilip Kumar was Foot Path, directed by Zia Sarhadi. Kamal Amrohi wrote and directed the film Daaera, which stars Meena Kumari, Nasir Khan, and Nana Palsikar. Naulakha Haar and Daana Paani were among the other films.

Tragedy Queen of Indian Cinema

Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan, directed and produced by Devendra Goel, stars Meena Kumari with Rajendra Kumar and Honey Irani. The film was a box office smash, and Meena Kumari was nominated for a Filmfare Award for her performance in the Best Actress category.

Khwaja Ahmad Abbas directed Char Dil Char Rahen, which starred Meena Kumari, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor, Kumkum, and Nimmi. The picture was well-received by critics.

Shararat was a 1959 love drama film directed by Harnam Singh Rawail and starring Meena Kumari, Kishore Kumar, Raaj Kumar, and Kumkum, with Kishore Kumar singing the classic song “Hum Matwaley Naujawan.”

Prior to the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955, the film Chand, directed by Lekhraj Bhakri, focused on the ramifications of polygamy. Kumari plays the starring role with Balraj Sahni, Pandari Bai, and newcomer Manoj Kumar. Ardhangini, Satta Bazaar, Madhu, and Jagir were her other films produced in 1959.

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam

Meena Kumari played Chhoti Bahu in Guru Dutt‘s film Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, which was directed by Abrar Alvi and produced by Guru Dutt. It is based on Bimal Mitra’s Bengali novel “Saheb Bibi Golam.” Meena Kumari, Guru Dutt, Rehman, Waheeda Rehman, and Nazir Hussain feature in the film.

Hemant Kumar composed the music, and Shakeel Badayuni wrote the lyrics. The film is also known for V. K. Murthy’s superb cinematography and Geeta Dutt’s iconic songs “Na Jao Saiyaan Chhuda Ke Baiyan” and “Piya Aiso Jiya Mein.”

The film was nominated for four Filmfare Awards, including Best Actress. Meena Kumari was chosen as a delegate to the 13th Berlin International Film Festival, where this film was nominated for the Golden Bear. Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam has been picked as India’s official Oscar entry.

Personal life

Marriage to Kamal Amrohi (1952)

Ashok Kumar introduced Meena Kumari to filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, who eventually gave her the main role in his upcoming film Anarkali. The contract was signed on March 13, 1951, however, Meena Kumari was in a vehicle accident on her way back from Mahabaleshwar to Bombay on May 21, 1951.

She was taken to Sassoon Hospital in Poona with an injury to her left hand. Kumari struggled with depression, and Kamal Amrohi paid her regular visits while she was in the hospital. Kumari and Amrohi used to write letters to each other when they weren’t planned to meet.

Final days and death

Meena Kumari became gravely unwell three weeks after the release of Pakeezah. She was admitted to St Elizabeth’s Nursing Home on March 28, 1972.

She lapsed into a coma two days later and passed away on March 31, 1972. She was 38 years old at the time. Cirrhosis of the liver was found to be the cause of her death. She was buried at Rehmatabad Cemetery in Narialwadi, Mazagaon, Bombay, as per her husband’s wishes. Her spouse was buried close to her after his death on February 11, 1993, in Bombay, as per his wishes.

Conclusion

Meena Kumari is a well-known and skilled actress in the Bollywood film industry. The Meena Kumari Net Worth is a source of motivation and inspiration. You should also check out – Sridevi Net Worth.