Bina Rai

Bina Rai Biography

Bina Rai was an actress of Bollywood yesterdays. She has acted mostly for black and white movies. Her roles as heroine in the classic movies like Anarkali and Taj mahal will always remain as classic.  She played the role of Mumtaz in Taj Mahal and as Anarkali in Anarkali opposite Pradeep Kumar. Her third memorable performance is the movie ‘Ghunghat’, for which she earned a Filmfare award for best actress in the year 1960. She was casted opposite Bharat Bhushan in this classic. She was married to actor of yesterdays – Prem nath and comedian Rajendra nath is her brother in law.  Her son Prem Kishen was an actor of late 70’s who turned film and television serial producer during 80’s.

Bina Rai was born as Krishna Sarin in Lucknow on 4 June 1931. Till she became busy in movies, she stayed at Kanpur. However her parents didn’t give her permission to act in movies and she started a hunger strike to get an approval. During her college days she was active in drama. Yet it was just destiny that brought her to film world. She was first year arts student when she went for a screen test and won the contest as well. She won 25,000 rupees prize money in that contest and eventually got first break in movies. Kaali ghata released in the year 1951, opposite Kishore Sahu was her debut movie.

Prem nath and Bina Rai were paired for the first time in the movie ‘Aurat’.  The movie was a flop. But the leading pair fell in love with each other and got married soon. Prem nath’s sister was married to Raj kapoor. The second movie where Prem nath and Bina Rai acted together - Shagufa (1954) was also a flop. Prem nath later shifted his roles from hero to villain and became successful too. Bina Rai was most successful with Pradeep Kumar with whom she acted in Taj mahal and Anarkali.

Her other memorable movies include – Ram rajya, Insaaniyat, Durgesh Nandini, sardaar, Hamara Watan, Chandrakanth, Vallah Kya Baat Hai, Daadi maa, Bandi, Hill station, Gauhar, Shole and Prisoner of Golconda.

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Updated: August 05, 2013