Suraiya

Acting

Suraiya

Born 1929-06-15 · Lahore, Punjab, British India

Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (June 15, 1929 – January 31, 2004), known by her mononym Suraiya, was an Indian actress and playback singer who worked in Hindi and Urdu films from 1936 to 1964. Regarded among the finest and most accomplished actresses in the history of Indian cinema, as well as the first female star, she dominated the film industry between mid-to-late 1940s and early 1950s. She was the highest paid film star at the time, being the first to be paid more than her male contemporaries. She was titled "Malika-e-Adakari" (Queen of Acting) and "Malika-e-Husn" (Queen of Beauty). Her status as the first superstar singer-actress of Indian films also earned her the title "Singing Star". Suraiya acted in over 70 films and sang hundreds songs, and even received praises from two Prime Ministers of India. Her enchanting screen presence and mesmerizing glamour has been compared to the likes of Hollywood icons Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner.

Acting credits

Omar Khayyam poster
NR

The film depicts Omar Khayyam's life, including his rejection of dancer Mahru, which prompts her and rival Ghiyas Beg to persecute him. Despite exile and suffering, Khayyam persists in his humanitarian and scientific work. The plot concludes with his unjust conviction and death sentence for treason, followed by eventual vindication.

Omar Khayyam

1946

Yateem poster
9.0

A social drama centered on the life and struggles of an orphaned child. The film explore themes of vulnerability, resilience, the search for belonging, or the challenges faced by someone without familial support in society. It aim to evoke empathy and highlight societal responsibilities towards orphans.

Yateem

1945

Diwana poster
8.0

A young prince named Ashok falls in love with a girl named Lali whom he encounters for the first time while hunting in a forest. Later on he learns that Lali belongs to a nomadic community that is at present, inhabiting his region. Ashok meets Lali again and both confess that they are in love with each other. In the meantime Lali's father, who is the head of his community, sends a man named Phulwa to look for her.

Diwana

1952

Shair poster
7.0

A poet who has spent life in the village with his childhood sweetheart goes to Bombay to meet a fan of his who is also a popular radio singer.

Shair

1949

Dillagi poster
8.0

Two lovers are separated by the girl's conniving uncle, who marries her off to another man. Heartbroken, the man wanders around aimlessly until a common friend decides to reunite the two lovers.

Dillagi

1949

No artwork available
7.0

A Bollywood film.

Jag Biti

1946

Vidya poster
7.0

Born in a low-caste family of chamars (cobblers), Chandu alias Chandrashekhar (Dev Anand) helps his father repair shoes and other footware for a small pittance. One day a girl from a rich and wealthy family, Vidya (Suraiya) stops by to get her shoe repaired. She wants Chandu to stop doing this menial job, and go to school, study and become someone important. She offers help financially, and gets Chandu to school. Both grow up and are attracted to each other. Both intent to marry, but obstacles open up in the form of Harry alias Harilal (Madan Puri), and Vidya's alcoholic dad, who will not permit his daughter to mingle with a boy from a lower caste.

Vidya

1948

No artwork available
9.0

The plot revolves around the once popular genre of Rakhi relations, a bond between brother and sister.

Mr. Lambu

1956

Khiladi poster
9.0

A charming and reckless man finds his easy-going life of adventure and romance suddenly threatened when he must outwit a ruthless, unseen enemy who views life and love as nothing more than a dangerous game.

Khiladi

Afsar poster
9.0

The story is set in the last era of British rule when after several historical land reforms in the subcontinent, the government faced the gigantic problem of assessing the actual incomes of landlords to net them in for state revenues. For purpose of direct assessments revenue officers were deputed, while for a larger number of indirect assessments, persons were sent and dispersed to villages in disguise of varying professions and for longer periods to secretly make their own assessment of on the spot realities and of actual sources and incomes.

Afsar

1950

Tadbir poster
10.0

A man's birth is foretold by an astrologer: he will follow a prostitute, wield a knife, and face the gallows. These prophecies come true in unexpected ways, as he finds salvation through a sacrificing prostitute, becomes a surgeon, and battles personal demons, all while grappling with destiny.

Tadbir

1945

Duniya poster
8.0

Directed by S.F. Hasnain, Duniya (1949) is a classic social drama from the golden era of Indian cinema. It explores themes of justice, class struggle, and the moral complexities of the legal system.

Duniya

1949

Do Sitare poster
10.0

A wealthy, scheming rival attempts to halt the marriage of Prakash and Rani through blackmail, but the young lovers and their friend execute a cunning counter-scheme to expose the plot and ensure a double wedding.

Do Sitare

1951

Char Din poster
10.0

The intense events of a single, fateful four-day period forever change the destiny of two lovers, proving that a lifetime of happiness or sorrow can be decided in just a few, fleeting moments.

Char Din

1949

Dard poster
8.0

Indian classic starring Shyam Kumar, Nusrat and Munawar Sultana

Dard

1947

Shama Parwana poster
8.3

Gul Mirza is a poet who sings ghazals at Shahenshah Arkat-Ul-Daula's palace and wins the heart of his daughter, Sahebzadi Aalam. They agree to marry once he finishes his service in the royal army. But when his widowed mother is murdered one night, Gul Mirza speaks out against Arkat and gets labeled a rebel, perhaps never able to meet Aalam again. Inspired by a famous legend from the Mughal era.

Shama Parwana

1954

No artwork available
8.0

Inder is from a well-educated family but spends his life to help people in need which causes many misunderstandings

Parwana

1947

Goonj poster
7.0

Goonj is a hindi film released in 1952.

Goonj

1952

Taj Mahal poster
10.0

Taj Mahal tells the epic love story of Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jehan) and Arjumandbano (who becomes Mumtaz Mahal Begum). Their destined romance unfolds amidst political intrigue, military campaigns, and courtly life in the Mughal Empire. After Mumtaz Mahal's tragic death, a heartbroken Shah Jehan commissions the construction of the magnificent Taj Mahal as an eternal monument to their love.

Taj Mahal

1941

Shokhiyan poster
NR

The Portuguese in 16th century India plot to take over the country.

Shokhiyan

1951

Lal Kunwar poster
8.0

At midnight, a village magistrate (Jairaj) turns into a fanged killer in this cross between The Wolfman and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

Lal Kunwar

1952

Dastan poster
9.0

Indira (Suraiya) is an orphan brought up the strict and uprighteous Rani (Veena). Indira grows up to be a beauty and is sought by three suitors Raj (Raj Kapoor), Kundan (Al Nasir), and Ramesh (Suresh). Rani does not like Indira to marry into her family as both Raj and Kundan are her brothers, and she wants Indira to marry Ramesh, and as such arranges a meeting with Ramesh's mom (Pratima Devi) and finalizes the marriage. Indira does not appreciate this and refuses to marry Ramesh. Raj speaks of his love with Rani, and Rani warns him that Indira is to marry Ramesh, but also has an on-going affair with his brother Kundan. Who does Indira really love? Will she ever marry her dream man?

Dastan

1950

Mirza Ghalib poster
6.6

A fictionalized account of the life of poet and nobleman Mirza Ghalib during the reign of the last Mughal Emperor, told through the lens of his ill-fated love for a beautiful courtesan he called Chaudhvin.

Mirza Ghalib

1954

Waris poster
9.0

An inheritance melodrama about Kunwar (Mahmood), the son of zamindar Himmat Singh (Sethi). Kunmar marries Shobha (Suraiya) and is disinherited, forcing him to join the army during WW2. When he is reported missing and presumed dead, a repentant Rana invites Shobha to stay with him. However, it is Kanta (Nadira), a young woman betrayed by Rana's villainous secretary Kailash (Yakub), who arrives at the house and his mistaken for Shobha. Masquerading as Shobha, who lives nearby in absolute poverty, Kanta moves in, causing a moral dilemma and generating suspense since she could be caught at any moment.

Waris

1954