Lesser known facts about Bollywood's tragedy Queen Meena Kumari

Actress Meena Kumari, known as the 'Tragedy Queen' of Bollywood, is no more today. But as a heroine, she was immortal. Bollywood gave Meena Kumari the title of 'Tragedy Queen', but in reality Meena Kumari's life was no less than any 'tragedy'.

Meena Kumari's acting journey started as a child artist. In fact, she was forced to work in films at a young age due to the financial situation of her family. Meena acted as a child actor in the 1939 film 'Leatherface' when she was only six years old.

In the next six-seven years, ie 13-14 years, Meena started getting heroine roles. You might not know but Meena Kumari also sang a few songs. It was Vijay Bhatt who took her to the top of the limelight by giving her the lead role in 'Baiju Bawra'.

Released in 1952, the film set a record of running for 100 weeks in a single theater in Mumbai. Filmfare Awards were started at this time and Meena Kumari won the first Filmfare Award. Won twelve consecutive awards for Best Actress.

Meena Kumari earned a huge name in Bollywood. All stars from Dilip Kumar to Rajkumar are said to forget their dialogues in front of her. While shooting the train scene with Meenakumari in Pakeezah, Rajkumar got a close look at Meera Kumari's legs and then he fell in love with her beauty.

Meena Kumari was extremely beautiful. Many artists are fascinated by her beauty. But Meena Kumari fell for renowned director Kamal Amrohi. She saw selfless love in Kamal for the first time. She fell in love with Kamal so much that she married him.

So Meena acted as Kumari Kamal's second wife. Both lived together for ten years. But with time differences arose between the two and in 1964 Meena Kumari separated from Kamal. The reason behind this separation was, Dharmendra.

At that time, Meena Kumari was at the peak of success while Dharmendra was at the initial stage of his career. As Dharmendra's career recovers, Meena Kumari comes close to him and falls in love. Meena Kumari left no stone unturned to raise Dharmendra.

But in return she got loneliness. Yes, after the huge success of Phool Aur Kaante, Dharmendra started distancing himself from Meena Kumari and Meena Kumari became lonely. Meena Kumari could not bear this 'threat' given by Dharmendra.

Meena Kumari could not forget this insult till the end. She could not bear to be separated from Dharmendra. During this time she became addicted to alcohol. Her liver was damaged due to excessive drinking.

Meena Kumari was very beautiful and equally popular but in real life she struggled for support. At last loneliness was her destiny.

Actor Ashok Kumar could not see this condition of Meena Kumari. He had worked with her in many films. They even took medicine for her one day. But Meena Kumari refused to take it.

Three weeks after the release of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari fell seriously ill. She was admitted to the hospital on 28 March 1972. After this she went into coma, she died at the age of 39.