Mala Sinha: From Radio Singer to Icon of Hindi Cinema

Mumbai, November 10 (Daily Kiran) : Mala Sinha, a prominent figure in Hindi cinema, carved out a remarkable identity as an actress known for both her beauty and acting prowess. Before stepping into the film industry, her relationship with performing arts was rooted in music. As a child, she showcased her vocal talent at All India Radio in Kolkata.

Never did she envision that she would one day be among the highest-paid actresses in Hindi cinema. Her journey from radio to films led to a series of successful movies that established her as a major star of her era.

Born on November 11, 1936, in Kolkata, her real name was Alda Sinha. From a young age, she developed a passion for singing and acting, learning classical music and performing on radio. Her interest in acting grew, prompting her to begin her career in Bengali cinema. One of her early films as a child artist was “Jai Vaishno Devi.” She gradually transitioned to Hindi films, marking her presence in the industry.

Sinha gained recognition in Hindi cinema through director Amia Chakravarty’s film “Badshah,” which opened doors for her in the industry. However, it was her role as Meena in Guru Dutt’s 1957 film “Pyaasa” that truly established her identity. In this film, she portrayed a woman navigating her needs and ambitions amidst complex relationships, earning acclaim for her performance alongside Dutt.

Following this breakthrough, Sinha never looked back. She starred alongside Raj Kapoor in the 1958 film “Phir Subah Hogi,” and in 1959, Yash Chopra’s “Dhool Ka Phool” became a significant milestone in her career. In this film, she played an unmarried mother facing societal challenges, a role that was not easy to portray at the time, but she delivered a compelling performance.

Her versatility shone through in films like “Anpadh,” “Dil Tera Diwana,” “Gumrah,” “Bahurani,” “Jahaan Aara,” “Himalaya Ki God Mein,” “Aankhein,” and “Do Kaliyan.” In “Jahaan Aara,” she took on the role of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan’s daughter, showcasing her range as an actress.

Sinha’s popularity can be gauged by the fact that between 1958 and 1965, she was among the highest-paid actresses in Hindi cinema, alongside the likes of Vaijayantimala. Establishing herself in an era that included icons like Nargis, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, and Nutan was a remarkable achievement.

On the personal front, she met C.P. Lohani during the shooting of the Nepali film “Mati Ghar,” and they later married. Even after marriage, Sinha continued to act, maintaining her presence in Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali cinema.

Over a career spanning more than four decades, Mala Sinha appeared in over a hundred films. In 2018, she received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, recognizing her contributions to the film industry.