Meena Kumari the Classic Biography
Vinod Mehta constructs a fascinating biographical portrait that opens where Meena Kumari's story ends, just weeks after Pakeezah graced cinema screens. Rather than following a simple chronological path, the narrative spirals backwards to the cramped quarters of Meetawala Chawl, then outward to the glamorous homes, film sets, and ultimately the hospital and crematorium where her journey concluded. What makes this account particularly compelling is Mehta's methodology. Despite never crossing paths with his subject, he stitches together conversations with those inhabiting her inner circle: the controversial Kamal Amrohi, her sisters, extended family, fellow actors and studio colleagues. Their collective voices reveal a fascinating contradiction at the heart of this cinematic icon. Kumari had perfected the art of self-presentation, cultivating a public image of a woman wronged by circumstances and the men around her, yet this carefully constructed persona blurred seamlessly with the melancholic characters she embodied on screen. Critics had already bestowed upon her the title of Hindi cinema's supreme tragedienne, and she weaponised this reputation brilliantly. Originally released in 1972, this refreshed edition welcomes readers into the complexity of a performer whose legacy continues to captivate audiences discovering Indian film history afresh.
- Author: Vinod Mehta
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Genre: Film & Cinema
- ISBN: 978-9350296257
- Pages: 252 pages