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Bindu Desai

Bindu Desai

Actor · Born April 17, 1941 (85) · Valsad, Bombay Presidency, British India

Bindu had early successes with Ittefaq and Do Raaste in 1969. From here she went on to write her success story with Shakti Samanta's Kati Patang (1970), where she had a sizzling cabaret dance, "Mera Naam Shabnam" to her credit; a number which is even today remembered as one of the highlights of the film. Bindu's mesmerising performances in 1974 as a seductress in Imtihan, and as a nymphomaniac in Hawas, left audiences asking for more. With a string of hits behind her, she successfully managed to break out of the myth that married actresses usually do not go to become sex symbols, especially in the Hindi film industry. She is the third point in the 'holy trinity' of item number queens. Along with Helen and Aruna Irani, Bindu defined the Bollywood 'cabaret' dance number and the role of the 'Vamp'. Her acting ability was seen in films like Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films Arjun Pandit and Abhimaan, where she won raves for playing a very sympathetic character. She proved to be just as convincing as the crippled woman in Chaitali and as the deglamorised role of wife to Ashok Kumar, in Arjun Pandit. She played the villain's moll in Zanjeer and became famous as Mona Darling. An impending pregnancy, followed by a miscarriage, brought about a lull in her career and on the advice of her doctors she had to end her stint as the glamorous 'vamp' – dancing and all. However, she did not stay away for long and returned to the silver screen with character roles – Hero, Biwi Ho To Aisi and Kishen Kanhaiya and with many other such movies she managed to re-establish herself as the unmerciful and cruel mother-in-law, or the cynical aunt. In the later stages of her career, she made fewer on-screen appearances, like the ones in Shola Aur Shabnam, which highlighted her comic side, and followed with other light and funny performances in Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!, Main Hoon Na, and Om Shanti Om.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 17, 1941 (85)
From
Valsad, Bombay Presidency, British India
Works as
Actor
Titles
21 on MovieCove · 124 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 32% in 30 days

What are Bindu Desai's films like?

Across their 17 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Action10 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 37th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Comedy3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 14th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 81st percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
32%
Bonds
31%
Power
19%
Society
10%
Self
6%
Survival
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice7 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception4 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption3 titles, browse their movies with this themeCorruption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 17 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 7 · Heightened 4

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 2 · Charged 10 · Intense 5

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 1 · Shifting 13 · Whiplash 3

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 6 · Even-paced 10 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 6 · Engaged 10 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 12 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

2 analyzed roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
12
Melancholic
6
Romantic
5
Joyful
3
Thrilling
4
Other
12

How their films linger

Feel-good6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy8
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous4

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Bindu Desai's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 16 of their 21 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Bindu Desai's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

124 credits, 21 with a MovieCove page; 4 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Bin Maa Ke Bachche (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Kamla

  • Mehbooba (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    as Karan's aunt

  • Om Shanti Om(2007)

    as Dolly's Mother

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Main Hoon Na(2004)

    as Mrs. Kakkad

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Haseena Maan Jaayegi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Shakuntala

  • Sooryavansham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Radha's mother

  • Jai Hind (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Bindiya

  • Jaanam Samjha Karo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Chandini's Aunt

  • Badmaash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Actor

  • Banarasi Babu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Lily Chaubey

  • Judwaa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1997)

    as Sundari Batwani

  • Anokha Andaaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Reema's step-mother

  • Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!(1994)

    as Aunt

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Krantiveer(1994)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Saajan Ka Ghar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Mrs. Dhanraj

  • Udhaar Ki Zindagi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Aasoo Bane Angaarey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Mrs. Durgadevi Verma

  • Aankhen(1993)

    as Anuradha

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Yashudhara Devi

  • Rang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Suchitra Madhav Singh

  • Shreemaan Aashique (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    Actor

  • Shola Aur Shabnam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Girls Hostel Principal

  • Phool Bane Angaray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mrs. Singh

  • Lohe Ke Haath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Bindu Devi

  • Ghar Ho To Aisa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Durga

  • Kishen Kanhaiya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    as Kamini

  • Biwi Ho To Aisi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Kamla Bhandari

  • Muqaddar ka Faisla(1987)

    as Mona

    Midcredits score: 8th percentile of all films

  • Insaaf Kaun Karega (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Chand Bai

  • Pyar Ke Kabil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Kalyug Aur Ramayan(1987)

    as Kamla

    Midcredits score: 14th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Khazana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    as Sonam

  • Allah Rakha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Banoo

  • Pyar Ke Do Pal(1986)

    as Paro

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Adhikar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Saveray Wali Gaadi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Sukhdai

  • Angaaray (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Hirabai - courtesan

  • Maphicha Sakshidar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Aaj Ka Daur (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Bijli, Laundry Women

  • Alag Alag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Balidaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Haqeeqat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Laxmi

  • Sarfarosh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Item Dancer

  • Pyar Jhukta Nahin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Kamini Pratap

  • Sreekrishna Parunthu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Lakshmikkutty

  • Bandh Honth (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Divorce (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Jayant's wife

  • Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Dr. Shobha

  • Prem Rog (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Chamiya

  • Meharbaani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Laawaris (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Kamini

  • Maan Gaye Ustaad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Jaikishan's Assistant

  • Shaan(1980)

    as Maharani of Kamalpur

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Neeyat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Kala Pani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Dancer

  • Garam Khoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Pummy

  • Ahsaas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Naalayak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Rita

  • Allauddinum Albhutha Vilakkum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Cabaret dancer

  • Amar Deep (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Chambal ki rani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Actor

  • Chor Ho To Aisa (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Seema

  • Apna Khoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Sumi

  • Trishna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Vidya

  • Daku Aur Jawan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Phandebaaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Rahu Ketu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Sheela

  • Besharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Manju

  • Bandie(1978)

    as Vimla

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Des Pardes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Sylvia

  • Ganga Ki Saugand (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Jayshree

  • Farishta Ya Qatil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Chakkar Pe Chakkar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Munnibai

  • Hira Aur Patthar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Roopa Bai

  • Tyaag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Do Chehere (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dancer

  • Maha Badmaash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Reena

  • Kabeela (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Bijli

  • Shaque (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Shankar Shambhu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Munnibai

  • Shankar Dada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Bindiya

  • Dus Numbri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as CBI Officer Roopa Sharma

  • Arjun Pandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Aaj Ka Mahatma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Julie

  • Harfan Maulaa(1976)

    as Anita

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Nehle Pe Dehla (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Sharafat Chod Di Maine (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • Zorro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Nisha

  • Vandana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty(1975)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Mounto(1975)

    as Asha

    Midcredits score: 25th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Raja Shiv Chhatrapati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Imtihan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Rita

  • Prem Nagar(1974)

    as Shamsher's wife

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Aarop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Kanchan

  • Bangaarada Panjara(1973)

    as Reshma

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Badhti Ka Naam Dadhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Hawas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Kamini Singh

  • Prem Shastra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Lily

  • Joshila (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Rani

  • Abhimaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Chitra

  • Gehri Chaal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Shobha Shankar

  • Agni Rekha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Zanjeer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Mona

  • Chhupa Rustam(1973)

    as Bambi

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • Anhonee(1973)

    as Rita

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Nafrat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Ashoo Kumar

  • Mere Jeevan Saathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Kamal

  • Garam Masala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Neelima

  • Raja Jani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Ek Bechara(1972)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dastaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Mala

  • Amar Prem(1972)

    as Kamla

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all films

  • Dushmun(1972)

    as Chamelibai

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Chori Chori (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Meena

  • Dil Ka Raaja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Rani of Beenapur

  • Kati Patang (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Shabnam 'Shaboo'

  • Parde Ke Peechey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Do Raaste (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Neela Alopee Prasad

  • Ittefaq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Renu

  • The Gold Medal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Anpadh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Actor

  • Ek Phool Char Kante(1960)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

Career shape

Star power in the 86th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 121 titles from 1960 to 2009; peak year 1998.

Biggest box office

Om Shanti Om (2007)

$40M worldwide

Highest rated

Amar Prem (1972)

Midcredits 96th

Most popular right now

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Film career

19602009

Peak 1998 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting121 of 121: 121 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score65th

By decade

1960s5 · acting1970s61 · acting1980s29 · acting1990s22 · acting2000s4 · acting

Billing

usually 9th · top billed in 0% of 8 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Bindu Desai's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 61st percentile, the median of all 21; across their 17 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 43rd percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

43rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Approval · how many liked their films

58thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Reach · how many have seen their films

8thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 17

Midcredits score across 21 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up8
  • 50th to 74th4
  • 25th to 49th3
  • Below 25th6

Shape of the crowd

12 of their 21 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser5
  • Mixed12

Most divisive · actor

Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987)

92nd percentile spread · 57% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Bangaarada Panjara (1973)

Midcredits 97th · 82% liked

Reviewers score the acting 81/100 in their films, across 8 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 59. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Bindu Desai work with?

People who share at least 2 of Bindu Desai's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Satyendra Kapoor shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers