Noor Jehan, whose actual name was Allah Rakhi, was bestowed with the title of Malikah-e-Tarannum, meaning queen of melody. Ironically, she started out with silent films. Her first film was Hind Ke Tare, followed by 11 other silent movies. She went on to act in 69 talkies.

Baby Noor Jehan got her recognition after Gul Bakvali. Ghulam Haider, seeing at her singing potential, had given her the role in the film. Then on, she started singing playback for other actresses too.

Noor Jehan's first movie as a leading lady was Khandaan, opposite Pran. Debutant director Syed Shaukat Hussain Rizvi -- with whom Noor Jehan later eloped, marrying him against the wishes of her brothers -- directed it.

After this success, she came to Bombay in 1943, and got a leading role in Nadan, followed by a second lead in Naukar the same year.

The year 1945 was a turning point for Noor Jehan. She was cast with Master Vinayak for Badi Maa, where Lata and Asha Mangeshkar played child artists in supporting roles. The same year, she also gave a superhit, Zeenat.

In 1946, she acted in films like Anmol Ghadi, Dil, Humjoli and Sofia. In Anmol Ghadi, she played a poetess named Lata. In Jugnu, which established Mohammed Rafi's struggling career, she starred opposite Dilip Kumar. Her last Indian film was Mirza Sahibaan alongside Trilok Kapoor, Prithviraj Kapoor's brother.

She also acted in many Pakistani films. Later, she gave up acting and took up singing full time.

Back

|

Next