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Onam Gupta
Onam Gupta has over 3.5 years of experience covering the entertainment and lifestyle beats extensively. She is currently focused primarily on entertainment. With a knack for asking the right questions ... Read More
Today, we will highlight the journey of this actress who became Bollywood’s original sex symbol. In 1950s, she became a popular name due to her bold scenes and sizzling photoshoots, hence, breaking the norms and shifting the mindset of conservative Indians. She is none other Begum Para, the actress who started her career at 17, and was a huge name after acting in films like Neel Kamal, Jharna, and Kar Bhala.
Born in Zubaida ul Haq, Jhelum, Pakistan, Begum Para moved to Bombay after her brother’s marriage with Bengali actress Protima Dasgupta. Fascinated by the city’s allure, she often used to accompany her sister-in-law on shoots. Soon, she started receiving film offers. Her grand debut in Bollywood happened at the mere age of 17 with the film Chand. Her debut was a superhit, and shot her to overnight stardom.
Initially, her salary was Rs 1500 per month, and soon became one of the highest-paid actresses of her time. For the unversed, In 2008, she portrayed Sonam Kapoor’s grandmother in Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Saawariya.
In 1951, Begum Para created a stir in Bollywood with her bold photoshoot for Life Magazine, shot by then photographer James Burke. She became the first actress to do so and garnered massive attention with her surprising yet bold style.
After establishing herself as a prominent name in the industry, Begum Para tied the knot with Nasir Khan, the younger brother of actor Dilip Kumar. The couple were blessed with three children, out of whom Ayub Khan entered films and became a well-known actor. Begum Para quit acting after her marriage but was still remembered for her impressive style and path-breaking choices.
Following her husband’s demise in 1974, Begum Para resided in Pakistan with her family for two years but moved back to India, where she spent the rest of her life. She passed away at the age of 82 in 2008.
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