Suraiya
Also Known As: Сурайя
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.
Department: Acting
Place of Birth: Lahore, Punjab, British India
Birthday: June 15, 1929
Deathday: January 31, 2004
Adult: No
Gender: Female
Popularity:
Known For:
Diwana
Overview: A young prince named Ashok falls in love with a girl named Lali whom he encounters for the first time while hunting in a forest. Later on he learns that Lali belongs to a nomadic community that is at present, inhabiting his region. Ashok meets Lali again and both confess that they are in love with each other. In the meantime Lali's father, who is the head of his community, sends a man named Phulwa to look for her.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1958-05-21
Popularity:
Main Kya Karun
Overview:
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1945-07-28
Popularity:
Tadbir
Overview: Jayant Desai directs this melodrama centering on Kanhaiyalal (K. L. Saigal) who, according to a fortuneteller at his birth, will consort with a prostitute, grow skillful with a knife, and be sentenced to the gallows. As the film progresses, this unpromising prediction comes true, but in an unexpected manner. After a family tragedy, Kanhaiyalal and his mother find shelter in the home of a kindly whore named Saguna (Suraiya) who eventually sacrifices her life for that of the protagonist. Later, he becomes handy with a knife when he goes to med school and becomes a surgeon. As Kanhaiyalal matures, he and his mother battle against crime and poverty.
Genres: Drama Family
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1945-01-01
Popularity:
Hamari Baat
Overview: Hamari Baat is a Bollywood film. It was released in 1943.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1943-01-01
Popularity:
Mr. Lambu
Overview: The plot revolves around the once popular genre of Rakhi relations, a bond between brother and sister.
Genres: Drama Action
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1956-01-01
Popularity:
Station Master
Overview: A railway employee, Kalicharan, would like Usha, the Station Master of Rangpur Railway Station's daughter, to get married to Niranjan, the DTS of Indian Railways, but Usha has fallen in love with Arun, a Guard with the Railway, wants to marry him, and refuses to marry Niranjan, who is twice as old as her and a widower as well.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1942-01-01
Popularity:
Naatak
Overview: Film starring Shyam Kumar, Suraiya and Amar
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1947-01-01
Popularity:
Singaar
Overview: A couple's marriage begins troubling after the doctor carries an extramarital affair with a dancing girl.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-12-12
Popularity:
Vidya
Overview: Born in a low-caste family of chamars (cobblers), Chandu alias Chandrashekhar (Dev Anand) helps his father repair shoes and other footware for a small pittance. One day a girl from a rich and wealthy family, Vidya (Suraiya) stops by to get her shoe repaired. She wants Chandu to stop doing this menial job, and go to school, study and become someone important. She offers help financially, and gets Chandu to school. Both grow up and are attracted to each other. Both intent to marry, but obstacles open up in the form of Harry alias Harilal (Madan Puri), and Vidya's alcoholic dad, who will not permit his daughter to mingle with a boy from a lower caste.
Genres: Drama Romance
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1948-01-01
Popularity:
Jag Biti
Overview: A Bollywood film.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1946-01-01
Popularity:
Phool
Overview: An Amrohi drama set in a Muslim family. Safhar's inheritance is lost, thanks to his sister-in-law, but he is still expected to complete his late father's work of building a mosque. If he cannot complete the work, then Salim must take over, but he goes off to fight in the Balkans, leaving the sister-in- law's orphaned daughter to complete the task. In doing so, she will lose her freedom, so she has a difficult decision to make.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1944-02-19
Popularity:
Mirza Ghalib
Overview: A fictionalized account of the life of poet and nobleman Mirza Ghalib during the reign of the last Mughal Emperor, told through the lens of his ill-fated love for a beautiful courtesan he called Chaudhvin.
Genres: Drama Music Romance
Original Language: ur
Release Date: 1954-12-10
Popularity:
Moti Mahal
Overview: In the hilly state of Champa Nagar, the magnificent castle of Rai Saheb Motisagar called "MOTI MAHAL" stands there even today in all its regal glory. Our story springs from this historical palace whose ghastly memories make people shiver with fear even now. After Rai Saheb's sudden demise the rumour got currency that his restless spirit still hovered about the palace. Though nobody had any proof in support of this, but subsequent incidents gave substance to it. Just two days after his death, as his maid servant was bringing his only Son SUDHIR to Champa Nagar by train the child disappeared on the way. Hardly could the shock of this news subside, when one stormy night his nephew Jugal and sister's son Shekhar came together to "MOTI MAHAL" to hear the WILL from Vakil. But Lo! the Vakil himself vanished and his dead body was picked up in the palace-compound, sometime later.
Genres: Mystery Horror
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1952-01-01
Popularity:
Shair
Overview: A poet who has spent life in the village with his childhood sweetheart goes to Bombay to meet a fan of his who is also a popular radio singer.
Genres: Romance
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-01-01
Popularity:
Dastan
Overview: Indira (Suraiya) is an orphan brought up the strict and uprighteous Rani (Veena). Indira grows up to be a beauty and is sought by three suitors Raj (Raj Kapoor), Kundan (Al Nasir), and Ramesh (Suresh). Rani does not like Indira to marry into her family as both Raj and Kundan are her brothers, and she wants Indira to marry Ramesh, and as such arranges a meeting with Ramesh's mom (Pratima Devi) and finalizes the marriage. Indira does not appreciate this and refuses to marry Ramesh. Raj speaks of his love with Rani, and Rani warns him that Indira is to marry Ramesh, but also has an on-going affair with his brother Kundan. Who does Indira really love? Will she ever marry her dream man?
Genres: Drama Family Romance
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1950-08-17
Popularity:
Rustom Sohrab
Overview: In the year 720B.C., Rustom, who reigned in Iran- Persia and was known for superhuman strength, married Tehminia, Princess of Samangan. When he moved to Samangan, Iran's enemies took advantage, attacked and imprisoned the king. As he heard the news of this rebellion, he began planning his own revolt- to free the king from his captors.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1963-01-01
Popularity:
Anmol Ghadi
Overview: Childhood sweethearts from opposing social standings are separated when one's family moves elsewhere, leaving behind only a watch as a token of their friendship. Years later, as adults, they strive to meet again.
Genres: Drama Music Romance
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1946-11-11
Popularity:
Dillagi
Overview: Two lovers are separated by the girl's conniving uncle, who marries her off to another man. Heartbroken, the man wanders around aimlessly until a common friend decides to reunite the two lovers.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-01-01
Popularity:
Bari Behen
Overview: Shyama (Suraiya) gets a job as a servant so she can pay for her younger sister, Kiran's (Geeta Bali) education in the city. Kiran, though, is in love with a rogue, Ajit (Pran).
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-01-01
Popularity:
Waris
Overview: An inheritance melodrama about Kunwar (Mahmood), the son of zamindar Himmat Singh (Sethi). Kunmar marries Shobha (Suraiya) and is disinherited, forcing him to join the army during WW2. When he is reported missing and presumed dead, a repentant Rana invites Shobha to stay with him. However, it is Kanta (Nadira), a young woman betrayed by Rana's villainous secretary Kailash (Yakub), who arrives at the house and his mistaken for Shobha. Masquerading as Shobha, who lives nearby in absolute poverty, Kanta moves in, causing a moral dilemma and generating suspense since she could be caught at any moment.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1954-01-01
Popularity:
Shama Parwana
Overview: Gul Mirza is a poet who sings ghazals at Shahenshah Arkat-Ul-Daula's palace and wins the heart of his daughter, Sahebzadi Aalam. They agree to marry once he finishes his service in the royal army. But when his widowed mother is murdered one night, Gul Mirza speaks out against Arkat and gets labeled a rebel, perhaps never able to meet Aalam again. Inspired by a famous legend from the Mughal era.
Genres: Drama
Original Language: ur
Release Date: 1954-01-01
Popularity:
1857
Overview: Historical fiction drama set during the Indian Rebellion of 1857, also known as the First war of Independence.
Genres: Drama History
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1946-01-01
Popularity:
Dard
Overview: Indian classic starring Shyam Kumar, Nusrat and Munawar Sultana
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1947-01-01
Popularity:
Shokhiyan
Overview: The Portuguese in 16th century India plot to take over the country.
Genres: Drama Music Romance History
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1951-01-01
Popularity:
Balam
Overview:
Genres: Romance Action
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-01-01
Popularity:
Parwana
Overview: Inder is from a well-educated family but spends his life to help people in need which causes many misunderstandings
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1947-01-01
Popularity:
Jeet
Overview: India has finally won independence from British rule, and there are signs of progress among the population. One such sign of progress is in the village where two childhood sweethearts, namely Jeet and Vijay live. Vijay lives with his mom and brother Ratan. Ratan, who lives abroad, returns home to India, with all new ideas of progress and advancement. This is not met well with some of the villagers, including Jeet and Vijay themselves. Ratan overhears a conversation that Vijay is not his real brother, and asks Vijay to leave the house, despite of his mother's protests. Self-respecting Vijay leaves the house, and Ratan plans to marry Jeet, and schemes with some villagers that will revolutionize his plans for progress, and make Vijay the culprit.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1949-08-24
Popularity:
Nili
Overview:
Genres: Romance
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1950-12-31
Popularity:
Sanam
Overview:
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1951-01-01
Popularity:
Afsar
Overview: The story is set in the last era of British rule when after several historical land reforms in the subcontinent, the government faced the gigantic problem of assessing the actual incomes of landlords to net them in for state revenues. For purpose of direct assessments revenue officers were deputed, while for a larger number of indirect assessments, persons were sent and dispersed to villages in disguise of varying professions and for longer periods to secretly make their own assessment of on the spot realities and of actual sources and incomes.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1950-01-06
Popularity:
Lal Kunwar
Overview: At midnight, a village magistrate (Jairaj) turns into a fanged killer in this cross between The Wolfman and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Genres: Horror
Original Language: hi
Release Date: 1952-01-01
Popularity:
Goonj
Overview: Goonj is a hindi film released in 1952.
Genres: No genres available
Original Language: en
Release Date: 1952-12-19
Popularity: