
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
NRThe 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
9.0A 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
8.0A 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
7.0A 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
8.0Two 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
A Bollywood film.
Jag Biti
1946
7.0Born 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
The plot revolves around the once popular genre of Rakhi relations, a bond between brother and sister.
Mr. Lambu
1956
9.0A 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
—
9.0The 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
10.0A 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
8.0Directed 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
10.0A 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
10.0The 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
8.0Indian classic starring Shyam Kumar, Nusrat and Munawar Sultana
Dard
1947
8.3Gul 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
Inder is from a well-educated family but spends his life to help people in need which causes many misunderstandings
Parwana
1947
7.0Goonj is a hindi film released in 1952.
Goonj
1952
10.0Taj 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
NRThe Portuguese in 16th century India plot to take over the country.
Shokhiyan
1951
8.0At 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
9.0Indira (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
6.6A 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
9.0An 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