Suraiya

Biography

Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (June 15, 1929 – January 31, 2004), known by her mononym Suraiya, was an Indian actress and playback singer who worked in Hindi and Urdu films from 1936 to 1964. Regarded among the finest and most accomplished actresses in the history of Indian cinema, as well as the first female star, she dominated the film industry between mid-to-late 1940s and early 1950s. She was the highest paid film star at the time, being the first to be paid more than her male contemporaries. She was titled "Malika-e-Adakari" (Queen of Acting) and "Malika-e-Husn" (Queen of Beauty). Her status as the first superstar singer-actress of Indian films also earned her the title "Singing Star". Suraiya acted in over 70 films and sang hundreds songs, and even received praises from two Prime Ministers of India. Her enchanting screen presence and mesmerizing glamour has been compared to the likes of Hollywood icons Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner.

Known For

Dastan

Rustom Sohrab

Acting

1958

Diwana

as

Laali

1945

Main Kya Karun

as

1945

Tadbir

as

Saguna

1943

Hamari Baat

as

1956

Mr. Lambu

as

1947

Naatak

as

1942

Station Master

as

Usha

1949

Singaar

as

Shanta

1948

Vidya

as

1946

Jag Biti

as

1944

Phool

as

1954

Mirza Ghalib

as

Chaudhvin, formerly Moti Begum

1952

Moti Mahal

as

Roopa

1949

Shair

as

Rani

1950

Dastan

as

Indra

1963

Rustom Sohrab

as

Shehzadi Tehmina

1946

Anmol Ghadi

as

Basanti

1949

Dillagi

as

1949

Bari Behen

as

Shyama

1954

Waris

as

Shobha

1954

Shama Parwana

as

Sahebzadi Aalam

1946

1857

as

Tasnim

1947

Dard

as

Hamida

1951

Shokhiyan

as

Sanwli

1949

Balam

as

1947

Parwana

as

1949

Jeet

as

Jeet

1950

Nili

as

1951

Sanam

as

Fatima

1950

Afsar

as

Bimala

1952

Lal Kunwar

as

1952

Goonj

as

Production

Crew

Directing