|
HORN KRISHNA SARIN, in Lahore. Bina Rai was li sei dikI year student <>l Arts in the Isabella Theodore College of Lucknow in 1950, when she came across an advertisement of a lalenl contest. On an impulse, she applied. And to her surprise, she got a call from the sponsors. Although Bina had been an active partici-pani in college dramatics, a film career was not on the cards. Hut she went lo Bombay, participated in the contesl and bagged the Rs. 25,000/- prize money, as well as a leading role in Kishore Sahu's 'Kali Ghata'. Premnath's (her co-star in the film) prevailing popularity, ('.. Ramchandra's lively music and this hitherto unknown beauty made the film a runaway hit, and Bina Rai found herself a star overnight.
This success was followed by 'Sapna', another Kishore Sahu production with Sahu in the lead role. Then came 'Aural', opposite Premnath again; and this Hindi version of 'Samson and Delilah' went down very well with spectators. These movies were released in 1952, and the next year saw the release of the mega hil 'Anarkali-, with Pradeep Kumai as the hero. (.'.. Rainachandra's excellent music, the extravagant sellings and Bina's sensitive portrayal as the ill-fated dancing girl who is in love with a crown prince had tremendous appeal, and the movie van for a 100 weeks. Every song was a hit, whether Lata's "Yen /indagi usiki hai' or Hernant Kumar's soul-stirring "Jaag dard-e-ishq jaag".
Meanwhile, Bina and Premnath had announced their forthcoming marriage, on the sets of'Aural', thus verifying rumours of their romance and sel the date for November, 1952. However, an invitation to both to participate in a delegation to Los Angeles and other film centers of I lie world, changed all thai. The) were married on September -, 1952 al a morning ceremony and a glitiering reception was held al the Green's Hotel, an annex of the Taj then, on the 3rd.
In 1953, Premnath launched liis own banner, and produced four movies—'Shagufa' in 1953. 'Priaonerof Golconda1 in 1954, and'Samunder'in 1955 with himself and Bina in the lead roles. None of these made an impact, and a fourth production 'Gyaaniji' with Kaniini Kaushal in the lead, disappeared without a trace.
Bina, who had announced her intention lo retire from the industry after her marriage, had lo return to acting. There were monetaiy commitments to be fulfilled! Bina's first child. Prem Kishe.ii was born in 1953, a few days before the lavish premiere of 'Shafuga'. She continued lo ad in film after film. 'Gauhar' (1953) with Rehman, 'Shole' (1953) and 'Talaash1 (1957) with Ashok Kumar, 'Marine Drive' (1953) with Ajit. 'Madbharc Nain' (1957) with Kishore Kumar. 'Chandrakant' (1956), 'Mera Salaam' (1957) and 'Ghunghat1 (I960) with Bharat Bhushan, 'HillStation (1957) with Pradeep Kumar. In 1958, her second son, Kailashnath was born and family pressures stalled building up. Bina found it difficult to concentrate on her acting and there was a lull in her career. In 1963, she made three movies— 'Ram Rajya' with Kumar Sen, 'Dadima' with Ashok Kumar and the popular 'Taj Mahal' with Pradeep Kumar.
With this, she bid a final farewell to the silver screen, and since then has opted for a quiet reclusive life. |
|
