Made in Rs 1.25 crore, this film took 14 years to complete, lead actress died after one month of its release, the movie became blockbuster, earned Rs…, lead actor was…
Some films take several months or years to complete, to ensure that the story, performances and direction come together seamlessly for a smooth and successful release. However, one remarkable Bollywood film defied this norm and took an extraordinary 14 years to finish. We are talking about none other than the musical romantic drama Pakeezah, released in 1972.
Written, directed and produced by Kamal Amrohi, Pakeezah was a deeply personal project. Amrohi, who had married actress Meena Kumari in 1952, previously collaborated with her on the 1953 film Daaera, inspired by their relationship. While Daaera failed to connect with the audiences, he began envisioning Pakeezah in 1956 as a heartfelt tribute to his wife.
In the beginning, the film faced several challenges. Some of the issues were with the sets, scheduling conflicts with Meena Kumari, and delays in finalising the lead role. It wasn’t until 1964 that these problems were resolved. That same year, Kamal Amrohi and Meena Kumari parted ways due to personal differences, although they never officially got divorced. It was only five years later, Meena Kumari agreed to come on the set and resumed back work.
The filming of Pakeezah was completed in November 1971, with editing wrapped up the following month. Made on a budget of Rs 1.25 crore, the film went on to earn Rs 6 crore, becoming the highest-grossing film of the year. Directed by Kamal Amrohi, the film featured Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Kamal Kapoor, Raaj Kumar and Veena. Pakeezah enjoyed a successful theatrical run of 50 years and garnered immense popularity, particularly after Meena Kumari’s passing.
According to reports, during the prolonged filming of Pakeezah, Meena Kumari’s heath and appearance changed so drastically that the makers had to use a dupatta to cover her face in certain scenes and opting for long shots in others. Just three weeks after the release, Meena Kumari’s health deteriorated, slipped into coma two days later, and passed away on March 31, 1972 at the age of 38. The cause of her death was reported to be liver cirrhosis.
Pakeezah is truly considered one of the most iconic performances of Meena Kumari’s illustrious career.
News