Mala Sinha was born on November 11, 1936. She is an Indian actress of Nepalese ethnicity. Mala became one of the most popular female stars in Bollywood films from the 50's to the early 70's starring in numerous blockbusters.
The Nepali Beauty lighted up Indian film screens with her sparkling presence. Born a Nepali Christian, Mala Sinha, began her film career with Bengali films like Roshanara. Soon, she shifted to Mumbai. Mala Sinha made a not a very enviable entry with Badshah in 1954. Then came Ekadashi, a mythological film. Followed by a lead in Kishore Sahu's 'Hamlet'. Mala soon rose from a promising newcomer to star with films with a biggie like Raj Kapoor: Parvarish (1958), Phir Subah Hogi (1958) and Main Nashe Mein Hoon (1959). In 1959, Mala had, Dev Anand's musical 'Love Marriage' and a role in B.R. Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool, where Sinha again had a dark-shaded role of a woman who abandons her illegitimate child.
What is remarkable about the actress is that she was as much responsible for her hits as much as the hero's'. Mala Sinha also did smaller films with lesser names or new actor stars like Dharmendra (ANPADH), Manoj Kumar (HARIYALI), Sanjay Khan (DILLAGI) and Amitabh Bachchan (SANJOG), besides doing 10 films with Biswajeet. In 1992 came Khel which was her last film in which this versatile actress acted in bollywood. Yet, she was not de-glamorised.
Award and Nominations
Mala Sinha received several Filmfare nominations for Best Actress for her women oriented roles in Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Bahu Rani (1963), Jahan Ara (1964), Himalaya Ki God Mein (1965). While she was not nominated for her other acclaimed roles like Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962), Anpadh (1962), Gumrah (1963), and Aankhen (1967) amongst others. Mala also won accolades for her role as greyhaired wife of Sanjeev Kapoor in Zindagi (1976). In spite of getting much critical acclaim and mass recognition for her work, she has never won a Filmfare for any of her roles. Mala Sinha was honoured with the Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award in 2006.
Mala Sinha utilized her talent to the utmost. She is still remembered by many as an actress who was capable of doing anything.
