Meena Kumari, who was popularly known as 'Tragedy Queen' of Indian cinema, is undoubtedly one of the most talented and popular actresses we had in Bollywood.
The actor passed away at the age of 39 and during her last days, the popular actor was struggling financially. So much so that, did you know her family didn't even have Rs 2500 to pay at the hospital after she passed away? Yes, you read that right!
In a throwback interview with a news portal, Director Bimal Roy’s daughter Rinki Roy Bhattacharya revealed that when this actress of high calibre, the reigning Goddess of cinema breathed her last on the afternoon of March 31, 1972, at 3:25 pm in St Elizabeth’s nursing home, she did not have Rs 3,500 required to release her body. Rinki added that the doctor had to step in and pay so the family could bury the remains.
Lata Mangeshkar had also gone to meet Meena Kumari when she came to know about her ill-health. The late singer had recalled Meena greeted her warmly and offered her tea but she sensed that the actress was in no position to offer her anything except her warmth in that condition. She passed away a little later.
Meena Kumari had reportedly been struggling with her health in her last few years. Her health deteriorated even further because of her drinking and in 1972, shortly after the release of Kamal Amrohi’s Pakeezah, the actor passed away due to liver cirrhosis.
Meanwhile, Bollywood designer Manish Malhotra is planning to produce a film on Meena Kumari which will reportedly star Kriti Sanon in the lead.
