Much before Pay Parity Became a topic of discussion among leding female actors, The Hindi Film Industry Witnessed The Rise of Superstar SauraiyaWHO Left Legendary Stars Like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar Behind When It Came to Remuneration.
Suraiya’s Rise in the Film Industry as a singer and actor
While Suraiya was known for her roles in films like omar khayam (1946), Pyar Ki Jeet (1948), Badi Behan (1949), and Dillagi (1949), Whickest Carer to New Heighs, Shee Didn ‘ Enter the film industry to become an actor. Instead, she was first recognized by music director naushad for her beautiful voice, which LED to many playback singing offers.
It all started when suriya was just 12 years old and would freently visit film sets with her uncle. During One Such Visit to The Set of Taj Mahal, She was picked by the director to play the role of young mumtaz mahhal. After starring in Several Children’s Programs for All India Radio, Suraiya’s Sing Talent Was Discoved By Naushad, WHO GAVE HERE A CHANCE to Sing in the Film Sharda (1942) for the Legendary Actab. She soon because synonymous with musicals like phool, samaraat chandraagupta, aaj ki raat, dillagi, natak, kajal, dastan, saanam, and and char din.
Suraiya became the highest earning actor in the 50s. (PIC: Express Archive)
Suraiya’s meeting with Hollywood Star Gregory Peck
Suraiya was a Huge admirer of Hollywood heartthrob gregory peck And get a chance to meet him when he visited India. It all beg in 1952 when suriya song her autographed photo to Hollywood director Frank Capra – WHO was visiting India during the first international film festival of india- The Hollywood actor may be recovered the photo and made it a point to visit Suraiya when he came to India.
He went to Suraiya’s Home in Mumbai and the two chatted for an hour. Speaking about the meeting, she had said, “We spoke for an hour.
Suraiya had given her autographed photo to Hollywood director Frank Capra at the First International Film Festival of India in 1952, to give to Give to Give to Great Peck of Was a Huge Fan.
Suraiya’s affair with dev anand that marked her descent in hindi films
At the peak of her professional career, suiiya fell in love with dev anand, with whom she starred in seven films. He even burrowed money to Buy her a diamond Ring. At that time, Suraiya was a bigger star than dev anand, and Since he was also a hindu, Suraiya’s Maternal Grandmother Didn’s approve of their relationship. Suraiya’s grandmother controlled her life and her career. She even threw the ring dev anand bought for her into the sea and instructed filmmakers to cut the romantic scenes between.
Dev Anand Wanted To Marry Suraiya and Even Quit acting, which wasnt acceptable to her, so they can not be parted ways. Howver, the relationship had such a deep impact on Suraiya that she never married. Dev Anand, MeanWhile, Married Kalpana Kartik in 1954.
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“When I refused to marry dev, he called a coward. Maybe I was one. Destiny? ” Suraiya Told Stardust.
Suraiya’s Downfall and Retirement
After her breakup with dev anand, Suraiya’s Professional Career ALSO TOK A HIT. Her Films in The 1950s Didn’s Perform Well. However, She did experience a brief resurgence with her mirza ghalib in 1954, which was a Huge hit. She even earned praise from jawaharlal nehru, who told her, ‘tumne mirza ghalib kii ruuh ko zindaa kar diyaa (you brought mirza ghalib’s soul alive)’ ‘. But her 1964 film rustam sohrab, co-starring prithviraj kapoor, turned out to be a major flop.
Witnessing the curtain fall on her career, Suraiya Took Voluntary Retirement in 1963 and stepped away from the limelight. She was never seen on the big screen again and also did not return to playback singing. She passed away in 2004 Due to Health-Related Issues.