Nirupa Roy

In 2004, Roy received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award.

• Name — Nirupa Roy • Birth Name — Kanta Chauhan • Born — 4 January 1931 • Birthplace — Bulsar, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Valsad, Gujarat, India) • Died — 13 October 2004 • Place of death — Mumbai, Maharashtra, India • Occupation — Actress Lyricist • Years Active — 1946–2002 • Other Names — Chhibi (pet name) Kokila Balsara (married name) • Children — Yogesh Roy (son) Kiran Roy (son) • Awards — Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Munimji (1956) Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Chhaya (1962) Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Shehnai (1965) Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award (2004)

Based on her interview to film historian Shishir Krishna Sharma, Nirupa Roy was born to a Gujarati Chauhan household on 4 January 1931 in the city Valsad, Gujarat. Her birth name was Kanta Chauhan although she was addressed as Chhibi by her parents. She was one of the two daughters born to her parents. Her father was employed in the railways. She was only 14 years old in 1945 and was still in school when she was married off to Kamal Balsara following which her name changed to Kokila Balsara and with her husband, they went to Bombay (now Mumbai).

As per what Nirupa Roy herself stated, her marriage had been just 3 to 4 months only when her husband came across an advertisement from Sunrise Pictures in the newspapers which required the lookout for a fresh face for their upcoming Gujarati film Ranakdevi (1946) for which Kamal Balsara himself applied. However, Kamal failed the interview but his wife Kokila Balsara, who had accompanied him to the interview was noticed by the crew present there who immediately offered her the female lead role without an interview for her at all. She accepted the role only after Kamal Balsara insisted her too. Later, she was dismissed from that role and was, instead, given a different and brief role to portray. At the same time, the owner of Sunrise Pictures, film producer and director Vishnukumar Maganlal Vyas changed her name from Kokila Balsara to Nirupa Roy and introduced her with this new name in the film. Soon, Kamal Balsara too changed his family name to Roy and became Kamal Roy. The first Hindi film she signed was Ajit Pictures ' Gunsundari (1948), a Hindi-Gujarati bilingual film opposite Manhar Desai (with whom, she co-starred in several films later on). Her first released film, however, turned out to be Lakhon Mein Ek (1947). However, contrary to what she said, she was first seen in the Hindi film Amar Raj (1946). As per her, even though mythological, historical and social films had a certain group of actors, Roy remained in demand from all genres to star in. She did almost 50 mytholgical films viz. Har Har Mahadev (1950), Shiv Shakti (1952), Naag Panchami (1953), Shiv Kanya (1954), Sati Madalsa (1955), Sati Naag Kanya (1956), Chandi Pooja (1957) often portraying Sita, Savitri, Parvati and Damyanti. Such was her popularity in mythologicals that people often tend to visit her home and seek blessings. She also worked in 10 historical films viz. Amarsingh Rathaur (1956), Samrat Chandragupta (1958), Kavi Kalidas (1959), Rani Roopmati (1959), Veer Durgadas (1960) and Razia Sultan (1961). At the same time, she got the offers of both lead, second lead or character roles across social films and family dramas like Uddhar (1949), Hamari Manzil (1949), Mann Ka Meet (1950), Bhagyawaan (1953), Do Bigha Zamin (1953), Garam Coat (1955), Bhai-Bhai (1956), Janam Janam Ke Phere (1957), Kangan (1959), Ghar Ki Laj (1960) etc. In the film Samrat Chandragupt (1958) starring her, she also wrote the song "Mujhe Dekh Chand Sharmaaye..." sung by Lata Mangeshkar with music by Kalyanji Veerji Shah which was also picturised on her. The image she created through mythological films was so strong that when she dared to change her image by doing a couple of stunt films like Sinbad The Sailor (1952), Baazigar (1959) or Superman (1960), she didn't receive much success and met with heavy criticism from public, forcing her to stop working in stunt films. She essayed the title role of Superman in its Indianized version titled Superman (1960). This was a rare instance in Hindi Cinema when a woman portrayed a masculine character. While in mythological films, she was often cast opposite Manhar Desai, Mahipal, Shahu Modak and Trilok Kapoor (with whom she did 18 films), she was often paired with Paidi Jairaj and Bharat Bhushan in historicals while in family dramas, her frequent chemistry used to be opposite Ashok Kumar and Balraj Sahni. While she had often portrayed motherly characters in several films of 1950s, she was seen in the role of an aged mother for the first time in Munimji (1955). She played the old mother of the male lead, which was played by Dev Anand. She was still in her 20s when she played the role of Dev Anand's mother who himself, in reality, was 8 years older to her and who also worked as a parallel role earlier in Uddhar (1949). She also played the stepmother of Pran's character when Pran himself was 11 years older to her. Same way, the female lead Nalini Jaywant was 5 years older to her. As per Roy herself, she was originally given the heroine's role which required to show the heroine's journey from young to old. Despite completing the role, she was not informed about the changes made where her youth portion was cut and she was replaced there by Nalini Jaywant. Despite this, she received Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress though she remained upset from the turn of events during the making of the film. She transitioned into character roles during the 1960s, winning Filmfare Awards for her performances in Chhaya (1961) and Shehnai (1964). Her other noteworthy performances were in Chand Aur Suraj (1965), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Aaya Sawan Jhhom Ke (1969), Aan Milo Sajna (1970) and Chhoti Bahu (1971). Her major success during her second innings arose when she essayed the role of the mother to the characters played by Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor made her name synonymous to the impoverished, suffering mother. Her role in Deewaar (1975), especially the iconic dialogue "Mere paas maa hai," became a cultural touchstone and is still cited today. She was offered the role only after Vyjayanthimala had turned it down. She thereby came to be identified as Amitabh Bachchan's mother and did the same in several films alongside playing the mothers of Shashi Kapoor, Dharmendra etc. as well viz. Maa (1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Ganga Ki Saugand (1978), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (1978), Suhaag (1979), Gautam Govinda (1979), Ganga Meri Maa (1983), Ganga Jamuna Saraswati (1988), Ganga Tere Desh Mein (1988) etc. Her roles in Lal Baadshah (1999) where she played Amitabh Bachchan's foster mother, Jahan Tum Le Chalo (1999) where she played Jimmy Shergill's paternal grandmother and Love You Hamesha (2002) were amongst her last films.

At age 14, she married 23 years old Kamal Balsara (later Kamal Roy; 28 March 1922 - 9 November 2015) in 1945. They had two sons, Yogesh Roy and Kiran Roy. In the years following her death, they engaged into a dispute over Roy's property and belongings, which has received much attention in the news and media. Though she was supported by her husband regarding pursuing a film career, she initially met with heavy criticism for entering the showbiz despite being a married woman by the society, including her father. Though the people in general pacified soon after her first film release, her father remained angry and neither saw her nor spoke to her again till his death. Such was his anger on her that while he was alive, she had to surreptitiously meet her mother. On 13 October 2004, Roy suffered a cardiac arrest in Mumbai, and died at the age of 73. Her husband Kamal Roy, 9 years older to her, outlived her by 11 years and died at age 93. Several tributes and articles have been made in Roy's memory. Her dialogues from the film Deewaar became iconic, and her acting in the film along with her other notable films, is considered to be a landmark in Hindi cinema.

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1946 — Amar Raj — Bakula — Hindi film debut • 1947 — Lakhon Mein Ek • Meerabai — Made simultaneously in Gujarati. • Bhanwar • 1948 — Gunsundari — Guniyal — First Hindi film she signed; Made simultaneously in Gujarati. • Hip Hip Hurray alias Chaubeji • Jai Hanuman • Mitti Ke Khiloune • Nanand Bhojai — Made simultaneously in Gujarati. • Satyavan Savitri • 1949 — Garibi • Hamari Manzil • Uddhar • 1950 — Alakh Niranjan • Bhai Bahen • Har Har Mahadev • Man Ka Meet • Veer Bhimsen • 1951 — Bare Bhaiyya • Dasavtaar • Ishwar Bhakti • Jai Mahakali • Kashmir • Lav Kush • Maya Machhindra • Nai Zindagi • Parnetar • Ram Janma • Shri Ganesh Janma • Shri Vishnu Bhagwan • 1952 — Bhakta Puran • Izzat • Rajrani Damayanti • Shiv Shakti • Sinbad Jahazi • Veer Arjun • 1953 — Bhagyawan • Do Bigha Zamin — Parvati Mahato (Paro) • Naulakha Haar — Lakha • Dharm Patni — Neeru • Madmust • Manchala • Naag Panchami • Naya Rasta • Raj Ratan • Shuk Rambha • Teen Batti Char Raasta — Kanta • 1954 — Aulad • Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani • Bilwamangal • Chakradhari • Durga Puja • Hukumat • Paheli Tarikh • Shiv Kanya • Watan • 1955 — Bhagwat Mahima • Garam Coat — Geeta • Mahasati Savitri • Munimji — Malti — Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress • Navratri • Oonchi Haveli • Raj Durbar • Sati Madalsa • Shri Ganesh Vivah • Teen Bhai • Tonga-Wali — Rajjo • Waman Avtar • 1956 — Amarsingh Rathaur • Bajrang Bali • Basant Panchami • Bhai-Bhai — Lakshmi • Dashera • Dwarikadheesh • Gauri Puja • Lalkar • Ram Navami • Sati Naag Kanya • Taksaal • 1957 — Chandi Pooja • Do Roti — Malti • Ek Gaon Ki Kahani — Maya • Janam Janam Ke Phere — Annapurna • Krishna Sudama • Laxmi Pooja • Mohini — The Queen • Musafir — Bhanu's Sister-In-Law • Naag Lok • Naag Mani • Narsi Bhagat • Ram Hanuman Yuddha • Shesh Naag • 1958 — Chaal Baaz • Dulhan — Sharada • Karigar — Parvati • Naag Champa • Pati Parmeshwar • Raj Pratigya • Ram Bhakta Vibhisan • Samrat Chandragupt — Helena — Also lyricist of the song "Mujhe Dekh Chand Sharmaye..." sung by Lata Mangeshkar with music by Kalyanji Veerji Shah & picturised on herself. • 1959 — Baazigar • Bedard Zamana Kya Jane • Charnon Ki Dasi • Daaka • Dr. Z • Heera Moti • Kavi Kalidas — Vidyatma • Kangan — Karuna Das • Pakshiraj • Rani Rupmati — Rupmati • 1960 — Aanchal — Janaki • Ghar Ki Laj — Ranjana • Lal Qilla • Maya Machhendra • Superman — Shanti alias Superman • Veer Durgadas • 1961 — Apsara • Batwara • Chhaya — Manorama — Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress • Dharm Putra — Savitri Rai • Jai Chitod • Razia Sultana — Razia Sultana • 1962 — Aalha Udal • Bezuban — Achala • Bijli Chamke Jamna Paar • Maa Beta • 1963 — Chandrashekhar Azad • Grahasti — Maya Khanna • Gumrah — Kamala • Kaun Apna Kaun Paraya — Mangala • Mujhe Jeene Do — Champa • 1964 — Benazir — Nawab's wife • Bhakta Dhruv Kumar • Hameer Hath • Phoolon Ki Sej — Janaki Verma • Shehnai — Shobha — Won—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress • 1965 — Chand Aur Suraj — Kamala Malik • Shaheed — Durga Bhabi • Shahi Raqasa • Shankar Sita Ansuya • Shri Ram Bharat Milap • 1966 — Aasra — Maya • Laadla — Savitri • Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare — Begum Khan Bhadur • 1967 — Badrinath Yatra • Jaal — Sundar Singh's mother • Ram Aur Shyam — Sulakshana • 1968 — Aabroo — Tilottama • Ek Kali Muskai — Hostel Principal • Jyot Jale — Sandhya • Mitti Ka Dev • Raja Aur Runk — Shanta • Sadhu Aur Shaitaan — Actress who played Parvati in play — Uncredited special appearance • 1969 — Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool — Dr. Sumitra • Anjaana — Raju's mother • Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke — Maya • Hum Ek Hain • Jigri Dost — Annapoorna Das • Pyar Ka Mausam — Jamuna • Rahgir • Surya Devata • 1970 — Aan Milo Sajna — Savitri Choudhary • Abhinetri — Shekhar's Mother • Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani — Padma • Gopi — Parvati • Maa Aur Mamta — Polly • Maharaja — Radha • My Love — Durga • Purab Aur Paschim — Kaushalya • 1971 — Chhoti Bahu — Sita • Ganga Tera Pani Amrit — Shobha • Jawan Mohabbat — Sunita Sareen • Nadaan — Ranjana (Rani Maa) • Sansar — Shobha • 1972 — Anokhi Pehchan • Ek Hasina Do Diwane — Amar's mother • Janwar Aur Insaan — Gauri • Jawani Diwani — Madhu Anand • 1973 — Kuchhe Dhaage — Thakurain • Manchali — Leena's aunt • Pyaar Ka Rishta — Radha • Taxi Driver • 1974 — Badla • Farebi — Annapoorna • Roti — Malti • Zehreela Insaan — Shobha • 1975 — Deewar — Sumitra Verma — Nominated—Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress • Mounto • Ponga Pandit — Janaki Nath • 1976 — Aap Beati — Laajo Kapoor • Maa — Vijay's Mother • Suntan — Tulsi • 1977 — Aaina — Savitri • Aakhri Goli — Janaki Singh • Amar Akbar Anthony — Bharati • Anurodh — Radha Mathur • Hatyara — Prakash's mother • Kasam Khoon Ki — Shanti • Khoon Pasina — Shiva's mother • 1978 — Anjane Mein — Shanti Lal • Aankh Ka Tara — Parvati • Besharam — Ramchandra's mother • Dil Aur Deewaar — Mother of Saroj & Chandu • Muqaddar Ka Sikandar — Fatima — Cameo appearance • Ram Kasam — Lakshmi Singh • 1979 — Aatish — Shobha Rai • Gautam Govinda — Ganga • Jaandaar • Kartavya — Mother of Vijay & Ajay • Khandaan — Savitri Shrivastav • Naalayak • Suhaag — Durga Kapoor • 1980 — Chambal Ki Kasam • Lootmaar — Satyavati • Zalim • 1981 — Aas Paas — Arun Choudhury's mother • Jail Yatra — Radha Verma • Kahani Ek Chor Ki — Gauri • Katilon Ke Kaatil — Radha Pratap Singh • Khoon Aur Paani — Son of Ram & Lakshman Singh • Kranti — Radha • Professor Pyarelal — Shanti • Shakka • 1982 — Baawri • Badle Ki Aag — Durga • Chalti Ka Naam Zindagi • Deedar-E-Yaar • Do Dishayen — Neeru • Do Ustad — Aslsm's mother • Geet Ganga • Jaanwar — Durgavati Singh • Main Intaquam Loonga — Janaki Agnihotri • Teesri Ankh — Malti Nath • Teri Kasam — Parvati • 1983 — Betaab — Sumitra Kapoor • Chor Police — Rohan Sinha's mother — Special appearance • Ganga Meri Maa — Ganga • Mawaali — Mother of Ramesh & Gangu • 1984 — Aan Aur Shaan — Kaushalya • Inquilaab — Amarnath's mother • Mera Faisla — Raj Saxena's mother • Ram Tera Desh • 1985 — Aaj Ka Daur — Lakshmi Agnihotri • Geraftaar — Durga Khanna • Mahaguru — Subhash's mother • Mard — Durga Singh • Pataal Bhairavi — Ramu's mother • Ramkali • Sarfarosh — Jwala Singh's Mother • 1986 — Angaaray — Aarti & Sanjay Verma's mother • Locket — Lakshmi • 1987 — Naam O Nishan — Champa Singh • Pyaar Karke Dekho • 1988 — Aurat Teri Yehi Kahani — Thakurain • Charanon Ki Saugandh — Malti • Dharam Shatru • Do Waqt Ki Roti — Kaushalya • Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswatih — Bharati • Ganga Tere Desh Mein — Ajay Nath's mother • Intaqaam — Birju’s mother • Pyar Ka Mandir — Lakshmi Kumar • Sone Pe Suhaaga — Kashinath's mother • 1989 — Dana Paani — Satya Prakash Tripathi's mother • Santosh — Kamala • 1990 — Kaarnama — Savitri • 1991 — Hai Meri Jaan — Neelam's grandmother • Jaan Se Badhkar • Lakhpati • Pyar Ka Devta — Parvati Kumar • Pratikar — Parvati Prasad • 1992 — Mere Sajana Saath Nibhana — Kanhaiya's Mother • Humshakal — Vinod's Mother • 1993 — Aasoo Bane Angaarey • 1996 — Namak — Shanti Sharma • 1999 — Jahan Tum Le Chalo — Akash's Grandmother • Lal Baadshah — Malti Singh • 2002 — Love You Hamesha

• Year — Film — Role — Notes • 1946 — Ranakdevi — Debut film • 1947 — Meerabai — Meerabai • 1948 — Gunsundari — Guniyal — Made simultaneously in Hindi. • Jivan Palto • Nanand Bhojai — Made simultaneously in Hindi. • 1949 — Mangalfera — Shobha • Sati Sukanya • 1950 — Gadano Bel • Jawabdari • 1961 — Chundadi Chokha • 1976 — Dharti Mata • 1977 — Saubhagya Sindoor • 1985 — Maanu Mangalsutra

Nirupa Roy is recorded as a citizen of Dominion of India. Recorded with the occupation actor.