Mumbai, April 1: Jabeen Jaleel, a celebrated actress from the bygone era, began her career in 1954 with the film ‘Guzara.’ Her last release was ‘Vachan’ in 1974. Over her two-decade career, she appeared in 34 films, showcasing numerous memorable roles.
Born on April 1, Jabeen’s cinematic journey commenced through an unexpected twist of fate. While balancing her studies in school and college, she also participated in theatre. During a college event, she performed as a child on stage, captivating the audience, including renowned filmmaker S.M. Yusuf and actress Nigar Sultana. Impressed by her performance, they approached her after the show and offered her a lead role in their film.
In an interview, Jabeen recounted, “I entered the film industry in 1954. From 1954 to 1968, I worked in films for about 14 years. I wasn’t from the film industry at all; I was an excellent student. I studied at Queen Mary School in Bombay and received a distinction in Senior Cambridge. My focus was primarily on academics. During college, I participated in a drama called ‘Nek Parveen.’ It was during this time that the theatre program took place, attended by S.M. Yusuf and Nigar Sultana. After the program, they approached me and said, ‘Baby, you will be our film’s heroine!’”
She continued, “I was completely taken aback. I said, ‘I’m not from the film industry, how can I act in this film?’ They insisted, ‘No, no, talk to your parents.’ My father had passed away, so I explained to my mother that I had a great opportunity and should give it a try. The very next day, I was called to Eastern Studio in Worli for a screen test. The test went so well that I was astonished. My eyes particularly stood out on screen, which surprised me. That’s how I got my chance in films.”
Jabeen made her debut as the first heroine opposite Manoj Kumar in the film ‘Panchayat,’ which was a significant success. She also worked alongside notable actors like Kishore Kumar, Shami Kapoor, Pradeep Kumar, Jawahar Kaul, Sudesh Kumar, Prem Chopra, Chandrashekhar, and in Satyajit Ray’s film ‘Abhijaan,’ for which she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Throughout her career, Jabeen has consistently encouraged newcomers in the industry. She collaborated with emerging talents like Suresh Puri and Dharmendra. Reflecting on her career, she stated, “There were good times and bad. The industry is not easy. Many hopes get dashed here. I never compromised my self-respect. I was sidelined from big banners and directors’ films, but I never complained.”
Jabeen Jaleel married Kashmiri Pandit Ashok Kak. She shared that despite their different religions, they never attempted to change each other. Their marriage was a civil ceremony. Today, she is completely satisfied with her life. She has even discouraged her son from entering the film industry, as she perceives it to be more about business than artistry these days.
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