Meena Kumari's Extramarital Affair With Gulzar And The Gift Of Her Poetry For Gulzar At Her Death

Meena Kumari wasn't just an actress, she was an emotion. She had poetry in her eyes, calmness in her voice and a smile with thousands of hidden stories. Her mesmerising screen presence melted hearts everytime. There was something timeless about her grace and charm that even after decades, she is still remembered. 

Meena Kumari, who ruled Bollywood in 1950s and '60s, was also known as the 'Tragedy Queen' of Indian Cinema. While she was known for her iconic roles, her personal life was very dramatic. Her personal life included loneliness and heartbreak, from a difficult marriage with Kamal Amrohi to an emotional bond with Gulzar. 

Meena Kumari’s early life and films

Meena Kumari was born in 1933, in Bombay and started acting in films at the age of 6, with the film, Leatherface. The director of the film had paid her Rs. 25 for the role. Later, at the age of 13, in 1946, in the film, Bachchon Ka Khel, she made her debut as Meena Kumari (earlier she did films with her birth name, Mahjabeen Bano). After that, she was unstoppable, she gave hit films like Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Pakeezah, Do Bigha Zamin, Aarti, and Dil Ek Mandir. Slowly and gradually, she won the hearts of everyone and established herself as one of Bollywood's most respected actresses. Even though she lived a short life, she left a long-lasting impact and a powerful legacy in the Bollywood industry. 

Meena Kumari and Kamal Amrohi’s marriage and divorce

Meena Kumari married the famous film director, Kamal Amrohi on February 14, 1952, in a secret nikah ceremony, attended only by her sister, Mahliqa. Their relationship began on the sets of the film, Anarkali, where Meena met with an accident and Kamal took care of her during that difficult period. Despite Kamal's earlier marriages, he got attached to Meena and got married to her. Once married, Kamal let Meena continue acting but on a few conditions. She had to return home before 6 pm, avoid late-night shoots and handle surveillance in her makeup room. Their marriage lasted for almost a decade before they decided to separate. 

By 1964, the marriage started falling apart because of the strict controls and restrictions. Kamal had restricted Meena's life, which eventually started disturbing her. There was constant surveillance on Meena through Kamal's assistant, Baqar Ali. All of this made Meena feel trapped and unhappy in her own marriage.

Reportedly, once Kamal even slapped Meena's assistant and used talaq in a heated moment, asking her to leave with her sister. Gradually, Meena started to go into depression followed by alcohol which led to serious health issues including liver cirrhosis. However, they officially did not get divorced. Later, when Kamal requested her to complete the film, Pakeezah, he had said that if Meena completes the film, he will free her from the marriage. Kamal wrote: 

“Only Pakeezah completion remain unsettled. You have made a condition that unless I give you a divorce you will not complete Pakeezah. Even this knot can be untied … I will free you from your marital ties. After this if you wish to complete your Pakeezah. I would be the most happy to do so. This is my request, that Pakeezah on which the fortune of many people depends, and which had the good wishes of so many people should not be left uncompleted if possible. You have better means. You have box-office appeal, and most of all Pakeezah needs you personally… Pakeezah that is like a sinking ship will reach a shore under your care.”

Meena Kumari’s bond with Gulzar

While Meena Kumari was married, she started to come close to the iconic writer and lyricist, Gulzar, on the sets of Benazir. They had started to come close because of their shared love for poetry and shayari. Meena and Gulzar, both used to write shayari. Meena’s husband, Kamal was never interested in her shayari, so when Gulzar took interest, she felt good. Apart from Meena's shayaris, Gulzar was a massive fan of her acting and dialogue delivery just like millions of people across the nation.

Their bond was so strong that despite health issues, Meena signed the film, Mere Apne just because of Gulzar. When Meena’s health started to deteriorate, Gulzar was one of the few people who used to visit her often. The two remained together till Meena’s last breath. During her last moments, Meena Kumari handed over all of her shayari and poems to Gulzar, which he later compiled and published as Meena Kumari Ki Shayari and Tanha Chand. On March 31, 1972, Meena Kumari passed away at the age of just 38. 

From a troubled marriage and dealing with depression to finding comfort in Gulzar’s company, Meena Kumari really saw a lot. What are your thoughts on Meena Kumari and Gulzar’s unfinished bond? Let us know.

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