Mumbai, January 31 – Before 1947, when women in India had limited freedom to step outside their homes, a remarkable actress was earning more than even the leading male stars of Hindi cinema. This was Suraiya, a celebrated figure of the 1940s, known for her beauty, voice, and charm that made her the most sought-after actress of her time.
Suraiya began her film career at the tender age of 12, accompanying her maternal uncle M. Zahur, a well-known villain actor, to film sets. Her first notable role was as the young Mumtaz Mahal in the film ‘Taj Mahal’. Her natural singing talent was discovered by music composer Naushad during an All India Radio performance, leading her to start playback singing in 1942 with the film ‘Sharda’.
Over her career, Suraiya sang more than 300 songs, an extraordinary achievement for an actress-singer of that era. For her contributions to Hindi cinema, she was honoured with the title ‘Malika-e-Taranum’ (Queen of Melody) across the Indian subcontinent.
Among Suraiya’s many admirers was actor Dev Anand. The duo’s on-screen chemistry was a hit, starring together in seven films including ‘Vidya’, ‘Jeet’, ‘Shayar’, and ‘Afsar’. Their friendship eventually blossomed into love, with both affectionately addressing each other by nicknames and their romantic scenes appearing genuinely heartfelt.
However, Suraiya’s conservative Muslim family, particularly her grandmother, opposed their relationship. It is said that her grandmother frequently visited the film sets to discourage their romantic interactions and reduce their screen intimacy. Despite Dev Anand borrowing money from friends to buy Suraiya a diamond ring worth Rs 3,000, the family’s strong opposition forced the couple to end their relationship.
Their final meeting was reportedly emotional, with both embracing and crying for hours. Suraiya is said to have thrown Dev Anand’s ring into the sea, symbolising the end of their love. After parting ways, Suraiya lived the rest of her life in solitude.
Today, on her death anniversary, we remember Suraiya not only as a talented actress and singer but also as a symbol of personal sacrifice in the face of rigid societal norms.
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