Mumbai, March 30: The life of Meena Kumari, often referred to as Bollywood‘s Tragedy Queen, is encapsulated in the poignant lyrics, “Jo saaz se nikli hai, wo dhun sabne suni hai, jo saaz pe guzri hai, wo kis dil ko pata hai.” Meena Kumari passed away on March 31, 1972, but her legacy continues, especially with her iconic film “Pakeezah,” which is synonymous with unfulfilled love and remarkable artistry.
The making of “Pakeezah” spanned over a decade, transforming it into a cinematic masterpiece. Meena Kumari’s performances, her expressive eyes, and classical dance brought her character to life. While the film’s dialogues remain timeless, it may come as a surprise that some crucial dance sequences were not performed by Meena Kumari herself.
The famous dialogue, “Aapke paon dekhe, bahut haseen hain, inhe zameen pe mat utaariye ga, mail ho jaayenge,” showcased the beauty of her feet, but they were not actually hers. The feet belonged to Padma Khanna, who also performed classical dance in iconic songs like “Thade Rahiyo,” “Teer-e-Nazar,” and “Chalo Dildar Chalo.”
During the filming of “Pakeezah,” Meena Kumari’s health had severely deteriorated due to liver cirrhosis, making it difficult for her to shoot even regular scenes. To continue the film, director Kamal Amrohi sought an artist who resembled Meena Kumari and could perform classical dance like her, leading to Padma Khanna being brought in for the shoot.
Padma Khanna filmed the long shots and fast dance sequences for “Thade Rahiyo,” while close-ups and expressions of Meena Kumari were used. In the song “Teer-e-Nazar,” Meena Kumari performed a stunning classical dance with a dupatta covering her face, but it was actually Padma Khanna who danced. Meena Kumari’s health had worsened to the point where she fainted during the song “Chalte-Chalte,” necessitating Padma Khanna’s assistance to complete the performance.
It is believed that during the filming of “Pakeezah,” Meena Kumari was unwell both mentally and physically. Her ongoing disputes with Kamal Amrohi led her to appear less frequently on set. A significant portion of the film was shot with the help of a body double. Additionally, due to her illness, Meena Kumari’s abdomen had swollen, which was concealed by dressing her in a dhoti and kurta towards the film’s end. This outfit later became a fashion trend after the film’s release.
–