Nirupa Roy (born Kokila Kishorechandra Bulsara; 4 January 1931 – 13 October 2004) was an Indian actress who had appeared in Hindi films. Noted for her portrayals of tragedy and sorrow, Roy was known for her acting ability,[1] and was uncharitably called the "Queen of Misery" in Hindi film circles. Roy was active from 1946 to 1999, and was best known for playing motherly roles.[2][3] Roy appeared in over 250 films, and won three Filmfare Awards throughout her career, as well as being nominated for one. In 2004, Roy received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nirupa Roy
Roy in Do Bigha Zameen (1953)
Born
Kokila Kishorechandra Bulsara

(1931-01-04)4 January 1931
Died13 October 2004(2004-10-13) (aged 73)
NationalityIndian
Other namesQueen of Misery
OccupationActress
Years active1946–1999
Spouse
Kamal Roy
(m. 1946)
Children2
AwardsFilmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Munimji (1956)
Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Chhaya (1962)
Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Shehnai (1965)
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)

Early life

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Roy was born as Kokila Kishorechandra Bulsara in Kalwada, Valsad, Gujarat. She married Kamal Roy at the age of 15, and moved to Mumbai. She used her married name Nirupa Roy when she entered the film industry.

Career

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Roy in Gadano Bel (1950)

In 1946, Roy and her husband responded to an advertisement in a Gujarati paper looking for actors. She was selected and started her acting career with the Gujarati film Ranakdevi (1946). The same year she acted in her first Hindi film Amar Raj. One of her popular films was Do Bigha Zamin (1953). She largely played mythological characters in the films of the 1940s and 50s. In Har Har Mahadev she played the role of Parvati Devi opposite Trilok Kapoor who played the role of Shiva and the film was the top grosser of the year. Her image of a goddess was very strong and people would visit her home and seek her blessings. Among her co-stars were Trilok Kapoor (with whom she played in eighteen movies),[4] Bharat Bhushan, Balraj Sahni, and Ashok Kumar.

In the 1970s, her role as mother to the characters played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor made her name synonymous to the impoverished suffering mother. Her role in Deewaar (1975) and its dialogues with reference to a mother and son are used as clichés.

Personal life

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In her marriage with Kamal Roy, she had two children, named Yogesh and Kiran Roy.[5] In the years following her death, they engaged into a dispute over Roy's property and belongings, which has received much attention throughout news and media.[6][7]

Death

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On 13 October 2004, Roy suffered a cardiac arrest in Mumbai, and died at the age of 73. [8]

Several tributes and articles have been made in Roy's memory.[9] Her dialogues from the film Deewaar became iconic,[10] and her acting in the film along with her other notable films are considered to be a landmark in Hindi cinema.[11]

Filmography

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Selected filmography[12]

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Year Film Notes
1946 Ranakdevi Debut film
1946 Amar Raj Hindi debut film
1948 Jivan Palto
1949 Uddhar
Mangalfera Gujarati
1950 Gadano Bel Gujarati
1951 Ram Janma
1953 Do Bigha Zamin
Naulakha Haar
1954 Chakradhari
Durga Puja
1955 Garam Coat
Munimji
Tonga-wali
1956 Bhai-Bhai
1957 Mohini
Musafir
1958 Chaalbaaz
Dulhan
1960 Aanchal
1961 Chhaya
1962 Bezubaan
1963 Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya
Mujhe Jeene Do
Grahasti
1964 Benazir
Shehnai
Phoolon Ki Sej
1965 Shaheed
1967 Ram Aur Shyam
Jaal
1968 Aabroo
Ek Kali Muskai
Raja Aur Runk
1969 Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
Pyar Ka Mausam
Rahgir
1970 Abhinetri
Maa Aur Mamta
Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani
Maharaja(1970 film)
Aan Milo Sajna
Purab Aur Paschim
1971 Ganga Tera Pani Amrit
1972 Jawani Diwani
1973 Kuchhe Dhaage
1975 Deewaar
1976 Maa
1977 Amar Akbar Anthony
Anurodh
1978 Ankh Ka Tara
1979 Suhaag
1981 Aas Paas
Professor Pyarelal
1982 Badle Ki Aag
1982 Teesri Aankh
1983 Betaab
1985 Sarfarosh
Geraftaar
Mard
1986 Angaaray
1988 Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswati
Inteqam
1991 Pratikar
1993 Aasoo Bane Angaarey
1996 Namak
1999 Jahan Tum Le Chalo
Lal Baadshah

rani rupmati 1957

Awards and nominations

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Year Award Category Work Result
1956 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress Munimji Won
1962 Chhaya Won
1965 Shehnai Won
1976 Deewaar Nominated
2004 Lifetime Achievement Award Won

References

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  1. ^ "Remembering Nirupa Roy, the Iconic 'Mother' of Bollywood". The Quint. 13 October 2016. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  2. ^ "Happy Mother's Day 2019: Iconic mothers who graced screens of Indian cinema - News Nation". newsnation.in. 12 May 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  3. ^ "Mothers Day Special: Bollywood's Most Iconic Screen Mothers". filmfare.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  4. ^ Rishi, Tilak (2012). Bless You Bollywood!: A Tribute to Hindi Cinema on Completing 100 Years. Trafford. p. 100. ISBN 9781466939639.
  5. ^ "Nirupa Roy". The Independent. 2 November 2004. Archived from the original on 21 June 2022. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  6. ^ Sayed, Nazia (10 January 2018). "Battle between Nirupa Roy's sons gets uglier". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  7. ^ "Deewar's Maa Nirupa Roy's Sons Fight Over Her Property". NDTV.com. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  8. ^ "Javed Akhtar on Nirupa Roy 87th birth anniversary: She looked like Goddess in mother roles". India Today. Indo-Asian News Service. 4 January 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  9. ^ "Tribute to legendary actress Nirupa Roy". The Siasat Daily - Archive. 5 January 2019. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  10. ^ "Mother's Day 2019: Entertain your Maa with 13 famous Bollywood 'Mom Dialogues'". Latest Indian news, Top Breaking headlines, Today Headlines, Top Stories at Free Press Journal. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  11. ^ Arora, Sakshi (4 January 2019). "Remembering Nirupa Roy, Indian cinema's 'Goddess' who became its most popular mother". ThePrint. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
  12. ^ "Nirupa Roy". IMDb. Retrieved 19 November 2019.
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