Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Birthdate
1929-06-15
Day of Death
2004-01-31
Place of Birth
Lahore, Punjab, British India
Suraiya
Biography
Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (June 15, 1929 – January 31, 2004), known by her mononym Suraiya, was an Indian actress and playback singer who worked in Hindi and Urdu films from 1936 to 1964. Regarded among the finest and most accomplished actresses in the history of Indian cinema, as well as the first female star, she dominated the film industry between mid-to-late 1940s and early 1950s. She was the highest paid film star at the time, being the first to be paid more than her male contemporaries. She was titled "Malika-e-Adakari" (Queen of Acting) and "Malika-e-Husn" (Queen of Beauty). Her status as the first superstar singer-actress of Indian films also earned her the title "Singing Star". Suraiya acted in over 70 films and sang hundreds songs, and even received praises from two Prime Ministers of India. Her enchanting screen presence and mesmerizing glamour has been compared to the likes of Hollywood icons Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner.
Filmography (42)
Rustom Sohrab
1967Mr. Lambu
1956
Mirza Ghalib
1954
Waris
1954
Shama Parwana
1954
Goonj
1952
Diwana
1952
Moti Mahal
1952
Lal Kunwar
1952Sanam
1951
Do Sitare
1951
Rajput
1951
Shokhiyan
1951
Nili
1950
