Mala Sinha (born Alda Sinha; 11 November 1936) is a former Indian actress who has worked in Hindi, Bengali and Nepali films. Initially starting her career with regional cinema, she went on to become an actress in Hindi Cinema in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s. In a career spanning four decades, Mala Sinha rose to prominence with films like Guru Dutt's Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra's Dhool Ka Phool (1959). Later, she starred in over hundred film productions including Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh (both 1962), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah, Bahurani (both 1963), Jahan Ara (1964), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Ankhen, Do Kaliyan (both 1968), Maryada (1971) . She was known as the "daring diva" and "torch bearer of women's cinema" for essaying strong female centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of her times. Having received multiple awards and nominations, she was given the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018.
Mala Sinha was paired in roles opposite leading male stars which includes her seniors Ashok Kumar, Bharat Bhushan, Rehman Khan, Ajit Khan, Dev Anand, Shekhar, Raj Kapoor, Pradeep Kumar, Guru Dutt, Uttam Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Rajendra Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Shammi Kapoor to later debuting stars Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra Deol, Biswajit Chatterjee, Manoj Kumar, Sanjeev Kumar, Joy Mukherjee, Sanjay Khan, Jeetendra Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna. She was the highest-paid actress from 1958 to 1965 with Vyjayanthimala, second with Vyjayanthimala from 1966 to 1967, then shared the second spot with Sharmila Tagore from 1968 to 1971, and third position with Sadhana and Nanda in 1972–73.
Filmography Hindi films Year Film Role Notes1954 Hamlet Ophelia BadshahMalti1955 Ekadashi Maharani Sandyavalli Riyasat Amber 1956 Rangeen Raatein Mala Paisa Hi Paisa Mala Jaldeep 1957 Nausherwan-E-Adil Marcia Ek Gaon Ki Kahani Jaya Apradhi Kaun? Shobha Laal Batti Naya Zamana Shanta Fashion Shanta Pyaasa Meena 1958 Devar Bhabhi Parvarish Asha Singh Phir Subah Hogi Sohni Chandan Detective Mashin Loonpe Ek SholaMala1959 Dhool Ka Phool Meena Khosla Nominated: Filmfare Best Actress Award Love Marriage Geeta Main Nashe Mein Hoon Shanta Duniya Na Mane Geeta Ujala Chhabili Jaal Saz Meera1960 Patang Shanti Bewaqoof Mala Mitti Mein Sona 1961 Suhag Sindoor Ratna alias Chanda Maya Shyama Dharmputra Husn Bano 1962 Hariyali Aur Rasta Shobhna alias Kamala Anpadh Lajwanti Bombay Ka Chor Mala Ankh Micholi Mala alias Nayantara Gyara Hazar Ladkian Asha Premchand Dil Tera Deewana Meena 1963 Phool Bane Angaare Usha Gumrah Meena Bahurani Padma Nominated: Filmfare Best Actress Award Gehra Daag Shobha 1964 Main Suhagan Hoon Shanti Jahan Ara Jahan Ara BegumNominated: Filmfare Best Actress Award Apne Huye Paraye Rekha Suhagan Sharada Dubey Pooja Ke Phool Shanti Rai 1965 Himalay Ki God Mein Phoolwa Nominated: Filmfare Best Actress Award Neela Aakash Neela Bahu Beti Shanta 1966 Aasra Shobha Dillagi Seema Mere Lal MadhuGuest Appearance Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi Ameeta Sinha 1967 Nai Roshni Rekha Night in London Renu Sinha alias Princess Vijay Nagar Jaal Sheila Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai Roopa 1968 Mere Huzoor Sultanat Humsaya Shin Tan Do Kaliyan Kiran Ankhen Meenakshi Mehta 1969 Do Bhai Sandhya Paisa Ya Pyar Shanti Pyar Ka Sapna Sudha alias Sushma Tamanna Saroj1970 Holi Ayee Re Suhagini alias Hemlata Kangan Shanta Geet Kamala 1971 Sanjog Asha Maryada Lalita and Lakshmi Double Role Chaahat Geeta 1972 Rivaaj Lakshmi Lalkar Usha Chaudhary 1973 Rickshawala Parvati Kahani Hum Sab Ki Sandhya 1974 Archana Archana Kora Badan Unnamed Dancer Guest Appearance 36 Ghante Deepa Roy Phir Kab Milogi Sapna alias Paro 1975 Sunehra Sansar Lakshmi 1976 Do Ladkiyan Geeta and SujataDouble Role Zindagi Sarojini Mazdoor Zindabaad Seeta Singh 1977 Prayashchit Rama alias Roshni bai1978 Karmayogi Durga Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath Maa 1980 Be-Reham Maya alias Devki Bai Dhan Daulat Vasudha 1981 Ye Rishta Na Tootay Madhu Harjaee Sharda Naseeb Herself Guest Appearance in the song John Jani Janardhan 1982 Nek Parveen Parveen Bano 1983 Film Hi Film Footage of the shelved film Naya Mandir (1961) starring Manoj Kumar opposite her with direction of Kishore Sahu was used. 1984 Aasmaan Kumar's Mother 1985 Babu Pinky's Mother 1987 Dil Tujhko Diya Savitri 1992 Radha Ka Sangam Thakurain Khel Sulakshana 1994 Zid Daadimaa
Bengali films Year FilmRoleNotes 1946 Jai Vaishnav Devi Worked as a child artist 1947 Krishna Leela 1952 Roshan Ara 1953 Jog Biyog 1954 DhooliRatri Chitrangadha Bhakta Bilwamangal 1956 Putrabadhu Shukla 1957 Surer Parashey Prithibi Amare Chaay Meena 1958 Lukochuri Reeta Louha KapatKanchi Bondhu Sujata 1959 Khelaghar Ruchira "Ruchi" Chhabi Mashry 1960 Shaharer ItikathaKrishna 1961 Sathi HaraRoopa Rai Bahadur 1965 Abhaya O Srikanta Abhaya 1976 Dampati Charu 1977 Kabita Kabita 2000 Kulangaar Shanti
Nepali film Year Film Role Notes1966MaitigharMayaOpposite future husband and Nepali film actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani.
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