Shyama

Shyama Biography

Shyama is a former actress of Bollywood who worked in the 1950s and 1960s. She was one of the most leading ladies of B’town in the 1940s and one of the earliest female stars. She is married to Fali Mistry, leading cinematographer known for the movies Fakira and Guide. As a film star, Shyama starred in Guru Dutt’s classics - Aar Paar and Barsaat Ki Raat. In 1957 she received Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for her memorable role in Sharda. 'Sawan Bhadon', 'Dil Diya Dard Liya', 'Milan', Do Behnein, Choti Behen, Bhai Bhai, Do Bhai, ‘Tarana’ are her other noted roles. She played supporting roles in the late 1950s and 1960s.

Her real name is Khurshid Akhtar and she was named Shyama by the leading film director Vijay bhatt. She started her Bollywood journey as a chorus singer at the age of 10. The qawwali “Aahen na bhari” for the movie Zeenat (1945) was that song. Once she went to watch a film shooting along with her friends. When its director Shaukat Hussain asked them if anyone want to work in movies, Shyama said yes. She played different roles in about 150 movies – which include leading roles apart from second lead and a few vamp roles.

She fell in love with the ace cinematographer in 1951 while she worked with him in the movie – Sazaa. She was only 16 then. They got married two years earlier and the couple had three children. She later worked in Bollywood in supporting roles. Their son Zubin Mistry is also a cinematographer. ‘Sun sun sun saalima’, 'Chhupa ke meri aankhon ko’, 'O chand jahan wo jaye', 'E dil mujhe bata de', ‘E lo mein haari piya’, ‘Ja re ka re badara' and 'Dekho, woh chand chhup ke karata hai’ are some of the golden hits pictured on her. Her best songs exclusively belong to Geeta Dutt.

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Updated: September 16, 2014