Purnima Das Verma

Purnima Das Verma Biography

Purnima Das Verma was a Bollywood actress of yesterdays. She was married to famous film maker Bhagwan Das Verma of Aurat fame. Her sister Shirin Mohammad Ali was also a former actress, who was married to Nanabhai Bhatt – the film maker. Purnima is also known as the grandmother of youth sensation - Emraam Hashmi, thus related to Bhatt filmy family. Making her film debut in the early 1930s, she was active in the industry till late 1990s.

Purnima was born on 2nd March 1932 in Mumbai as Meher Bano. Her father a Tamil Brahmin was an accountant and her mother was a Muslim from Lucknow. Her elder sister Shirin entered films before her and has acted in movies like Khwab Ki Duniya, State Express, Bijlee etc. Meher Bano was first offered a film role by her neighbour Raman B. Desai, a film director. She was only 16 then. She played the role of Radha in Gujarati film 'Radheshyam' and her screen name was changed to Purnima. Prior to the release of Radheshyam in 1947, ‘Thes’, 'Manager' and 'Tum aur Mein' were released. Thes was her first release. 'Saavati Maa' was her second Gujarati release.

Patanga was her first major hit with some lovely songs of C. Ramachandra. She played second lead and two songs were filmed on her. Since then she acted in about 20 movies as main lead or second lead and Gauna, Badal, Sholay, Pooja and Aurat are some of her memorable roles in the early 1950s. She married Aurat’s director Bhagwan Das Verma in 1954 and took a break from acting. Later she returned playing supporting roles. 'Chamak Chandni' in 1957 was her comeback movie. 'Badtameez, Humjoli, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Bairaag, Zanjeer, Khoon Pasina and Inqulaab are some of her noted character roles. She passed away on 14 August 2013 at Mumbai.

Published: N/A

Updated: October 11, 2014