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Meena Kumari

Meena Kumari

Actor · Died March 31, 1972, aged 38 · Solapur, Bombay Presidency, British India

Meena Kumari (born Mahjabeen Bano; August 1, 1933 – March 31, 1972) was an Indian actress, as well as an occasional poet, playback singer and model. She was described by critics as a historically incomparable actress of Hindi Cinema. Though best known for her sensitive portrayals of struggling women, earning her the title "The Tragedy Queen", she starred in over 90 films that varied in genres, from traditional melodramas, mythological adventures, comedies, historicals and Muslim socials. At the peak of her career, she was the highest-paid actress, and set fashion trends for women in the 1950s.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
August 1, 1933
Died
March 31, 1972 (aged 38)
From
Solapur, Bombay Presidency, British India
Works as
Actor
Titles
14 on MovieCove · 72 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 35% in 30 days

What are Meena Kumari's films like?

Across their 14 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Bonds.

Genres

Drama8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 78th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 74th percentile
: browse their Action 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
35%
Bonds
35%
Power
13%
Society
8%
Survival
6%
Self
4%
Romantic love7 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption2 titles, browse their movies with this themeClass2 titles, browse their movies with this themePrejudice2 titles, browse their movies with this themeOppression2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 14 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 5 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 4 · Heightened 4

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

Gentle 1 · Charged 7 · Intense 6

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

Steady 3 · Shifting 11 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 12 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 1

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 10 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

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

Casual 5 · Engaged 9 · Full focus 0

Heavy: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their heavy movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

Easy watch 2 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 10

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

Resolved 10 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Hero
3 of 6
Ally
2 of 6
Shapeshifter
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
10
Tense
11
Romantic
7
Hopeful
2
Dread
1
Other
6

How their films linger

Bittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteDevastating3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 3 with a twist

  • Happy3
  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic5
  • Ambiguous2

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 Meena Kumari's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 13 of their 14 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Meena Kumari'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

72 credits, 14 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

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

    as (archive)

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

    Actor

  • Gomti Ke Kinare (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Ganga

  • Pakeezah(1972)

    Costume Design · as Nargis / Sahibjaan

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • Dushmun(1972)

    as Malti

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films

  • Mere Apne (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Anandi Devi / Auaji (Aunt)

  • Jawab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Vidya

  • Viruthan Shanku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Bhargavi

  • Baharon Ki Manzil (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Nanda / Radha

  • Noorjehan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Mehrunnisa / Noor Jehan

  • Majhli Didi(1967)

    as Hema

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • Chandan Ka Palna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Shobha Rai

  • Bahu Begum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Zeenat Jahan Begum

  • Ramanan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    as Madhavi Amma

  • Phool Aur Patthar(1966)

    as Shanti Devi

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Pinjre Ke Panchhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Heena Sharma

  • Bheegi Raat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Neelima

  • Kaajal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Madhavi

  • Purnima (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Purnima

  • Main Bhi Ladki Hoon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Rajni

  • Benazir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Benazir

  • Chitralekha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Chitralekha

  • Gazal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Naaz Ara Begum

  • Sanjh Aur Savera(1964)

    as Gauri

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bandipotu (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Actor

  • Kinare Kinare(1963)

    as Neelu

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Dil Ek Mandir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Sita

  • Akeli Mat Jaiyo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Seema

  • Aarti(1962)

    as Aarti Gupta

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam(1962)

    as Chhoti Bahu

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Main Chup Rahungi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Gayatri

  • Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Geeta

  • Pyaar Ka Saagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Radha / Rani

  • Kohinoor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Rajkumari Chandramukhi of Rajgarh

  • Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    as Karuna

  • Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Ratna

  • Char Dil Char Rahen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Chavli

  • Satta Bazaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Jamna

  • Shararat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Shabnam

  • Ardhangini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    as Chhaya

  • Sahara(1958)

    as Leela

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Yahudi(1958)

    as Hannah / Lydia

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Dawn (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1958)

    Actor

  • Sharada (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    as Sharada Ram Sharan

  • Miss Mary (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1957)

    Actor

  • Bond (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Ek-Hi-Rasta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Halaku (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Niloufer Nadir

  • Jayam Manade(1956)

    Actor

  • Mem Sahib (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    as Meena

  • Naya Andaz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Actor

  • Azaad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Shobha

  • Adl-e-Jehangir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    as Zareena

  • Bandish(1955)

    as Usha Sen

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Baadbaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Bina

  • Chandni Chowk (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1954)

    as Zarina

  • Footpath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Mala

  • Parineeta(1953)

    as Lalita

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Two Acres of Land (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Thakurain

  • Daaera (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1953)

    as Sheetal

  • Baiju Bawra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Gauri

  • Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1952)

    as Princess Badar

  • Tamasha(1952)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 81st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Madhosh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Soni

  • Lakshmi Narayan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Sanam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    as Rani

  • Hanumaan Pataal Vijay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1951)

    Actor

  • Hamara Ghar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1950)

    Actor

  • Veer Ghatotkach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1949)

    as Surekha

  • Pratiggya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1943)

    Actor

  • Pooja (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1940)

    as Little Bina (as Baby Meena)

  • Leatherface (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1939)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 60th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 71 titles from 1939 to 1980.

Highest rated

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)

Midcredits 97th

Most popular right now

Pakeezah (1972)

Film career

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting71 of 71: 70 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score75thOther crew1 of 71: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1930s1 · acting1940s3 · acting1950s32 · acting1960s28 · acting1970s6 · 6 acting · 1 crew1980s1 · acting

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.

How do Meena Kumari's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 75th percentile, the median of the 13 of 14 with a score; across their 14 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 68th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

68thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Approval · how many liked their films

80thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Reach · how many have seen their films

7thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 14

Midcredits score across 13 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th5
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 13 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive1
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser1
  • Mixed6

Most divisive · actor

Sahara (1958)

95th percentile spread · 26% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962)

Midcredits 97th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 85/100 in their films, across 7 reviewed titles; fans 88, detractors 48. 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 Meena Kumari work with?

People who share at least 2 of Meena Kumari's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ashok Kumar shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and cinematographers

Producers