Bina Rai

vie she had joined Arts in the Isabella Thoburn College of Lucknow. Since her father was in Western Railway and had a moveable job hence she studied at hostel. At hostel she was a free bird and would watch movies and cut out pictures of her favorite film star from Movie Magazine and aspire to become a film star! Though film magazine were banned in hostel but film buff Bina Rai would smuggle movie magazine, bribing the peon.

Film Magazine opened door to filmdom The film magazines that young Bina Rai read secretly; eventually became a ticket to Bollywood. Recalling the incident Bina Rai in an interview said, “Once when I was reading a film magazine I came across an advertisement announcing opportunity for new comers in films. Famous actor-producer-director Kishore Sahu had advertised in a magazine for a new heroine for his forthcoming film Kali Ghata . Hence without thinking twice I sent my pictures and a short profile.” “To my surprise I was selected and invited to Mumbai!, ” she quipped, Though selected Bina Rai could not go to Mumbai as her HSC exams began! When Bina Rai opened Kishore Sahu’s letter she was on sky nine as the filmmaker had invited her to Mumbai for audition and screen test! But all her enthusiasm fizzed out when her father handed her the time table of HSC Board examination beginning within a week. She was helpless and could not go for screen test in Mumbai as she had to sit for HSC examination. After her examination when she was planning to run away to Mumbai suddenly her father yet again surprised her. This time, however it was good news. He told her that the family is visiting Mumbai for selecting a bride for her elder brother! Once in Mumbai, Bina Rai secretly reached the office of Kishore Sahu. Fortunately Kishore Sahu had still not found a heroine hence he was more than pleased to meet her. Interestingly Bina Rai passed the screen and audition test with flying colour and impressed Kishore Sahu signed her for a whopping sum of Rs 25,000/- in her debut film!!! Parents were against Bina Rai’s decision to act in films When an enthusiastic and excited Bina Rai informed her parents that she has been signed for Rs 25,000/- for her first film, her parents were very upset! In those days girls working in films was regarded low esteem hence to cajole her parents Bina Rai had to emotionally black mail them. She sat on hunger strike and did not eat for two days. Finally her parents gave –in and approved her decision. Kishore Sahu gave her a new name – Bina Rai. The film Kali Ghata (1951) was an average hit but opened flood gate for Bina Rai. With Anarkali movie Bina Rai became a star to reckon Soon after Kali Ghata film director Nandlal Jaswantlal signed her for Filmistan Studio’s forthcoming film Anarkali (1953). The movie was made on a shoe string budget because another film on the same subject Mughal-e-Azam by K Asif starring Dilip Kumar, Madhubala and Prithivraj Kappor was being made simultaneously. Hence film director Nandlal Jaswantlal was in hurry and did not wanted to take a risk. Since he was impressed by film writer Nasir Hussain’s impressive script he decided to make the film. However when released the film was a box office blockbuster and made Bina Rai an instant Star! Anarkali was the top-grossing Hindi film of its year and one of the biggest hits of the 1950s. The highlight of the film was C.Ramchandra’s soulful music. All songs were huge hit like Ye Zindagi Usiki Hai….; Aaja Ab To Aaja….. Mohabbat Aisi Dhadkan Hai… Jaag Dard-E-Ishq Jaag….. She later ruled Bollywood doing many hit films like Insaniyat, Chenghiz Khan, Ghunghat, Daadi Maa etc.