In Indian showbiz industry, there are actors, popular movie stars, and a special few who can add life into films by their mere presence and make even the lead actor/actress look less important. Such was the impact of the rare being Zohra Sehgal in her Bollywood films that the viewers still can't stop lauding her enthusiasm, which was quite evident in each role she played. Call it her passion for acting or willingness to take on the most challenging roles, Zohra was not only popular among viewers during her peak time, but she was also appreciated by the next younger generations.
Born as Sahibzadi Zohra Begum Mumtaz-ullah Khan on 27 April 1912 into a traditional Muslim family in Saharanpur, UP to Mumtazullah Khan and Natiqua Begum. Third of seven children - Zakullah, Hajrah, Ikramullah, Uzra, Anna and Sabira, Zohra wasn't the traditional docile girl. She'd climb trees and play games, much like boys would.
Zohra, who lost her mother when she was quite young, fulfilled her mother's wishes, and pursued studies at Queen Mary College, Lahore. Unlike her sisters, who didn't have a successful married life, Zohra was determined to pursue a career, rather than get married.
After she completed her graduation, Zohra's maternal uncle, Sahebzada Saeeduzzafar Khan, who stayed in Edinburgh, helped her attain apprenticeship under a British actor. But what actually changed her life forever was her meeting with Uday Shankar. In Europe, where Zohra studied modern dance, she managed to watch the Shiv-Parvati ballet by Uday Shankar who was on a tour to Europe. Wowed hy his performance, Zohra congratulated Uday and ended up being promised her a job on her return to India, after she completed her course.
Besides joining Uday's troupe to perform across Japan, Egypt, Europe and the US, she also taught at the Uday Shankar India Cultural Centre at Almora. The shift was special as she got to meet her future husband Kameshwar Sehgal, a young scientist, painter and dancer from Indore. . Even though her parents opposed to it initially, they gave their consent for their marriage.
After Zohra performed in several plays, she debuted in 1946 in the film Dharti Ke Lal.
Later, she travelled to England to pursue her acting career and was seen in films like The Raj Quartet, The Jewel in the Crown, Tandoori Nights, My Beautiful Laundrette. But it was her stint in Bollywood projects like Veer Zara, Dillagi, Cheeni Kum, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Bend It Like Beckham, Saawariya, Bhaji On The Beach, The Mystic Masseur and Dil Se that helped her gain huge popularity and critical acclaim.
The dimunitive yet aggressive actress, could do just about everything - act, sing, dance and just perform like a genius. Her death has definitely left a void in the industry, which cannot be easily filled.
Comments
0 comment