The many looks of the ‘tragic queen’ of Indian cinema

Called as the ‘tragedy queen’ of Indian cinema, Meena Kumari was a timeless beauty who who symbolises love, loneliness and melancholy. During a career spanning 30 years from her childhood to her death, she starred in more than 90 films, many of which are classic and have achieved a cult status today.

She tragically died of liver cirrhosis, in 1972, in a nursing home, just at the age of 39. Today, on the 84th birth anniversary of the soulful actress of Hindi cinema, we take a look at some of the greatest hits that made her so popular.

- Text by Saloni Dhruv, images are YouTube screengrabs