Reena

Born as Roopa Rai to a Muslim father and Hindu mother on 7th January 1957, Reena Roy is the beautiful actor of yesteryears. In her early teens her parents separated and she started working in films to support her family. Though it was rumored that she and Shatrugan Sinha were having an affair, he married someone else and she married Mohsin Khan, a Pakistani cricketer; they divorced later on. She has a daughter named Jannat with him.

Coming to her filmy career now. This 5' 4" tall beauty was a part of Nayi Duniya Naye Log, but the film was abandoned. Her official debut was in Zaroorat (1972) with Vijay Arora and Danny. Even though the film did well and Reena seemed like a promising actor her career came to a standstill for a while.

Some of her prominent films are:

• Reena did a lot of films with Sunil Dutt, and Zakhmee (1975) was one of them.

• Nagin (1976) took Reena’s career to dizzying heights. She played the role of a female serpent that assumes human form to avenge her husband’s death. For her tremendous performance she even received a Filmfare nomination.

• In Subhash Ghai’s Kalicharan (1976), she was paired with Shatrugan Sinha. The film was an unexpected hit.

• For playing a selfish woman who deserts her husband and son, Reena won a Filmfare nomination for Apnapan (1977).

• Vishwanath (1978), a thriller starring Reena and once again Shatrugan Sinha came from the Subhash Ghai camp. It was a hit.

• Reena played Jeetendra’s wife in Badaltey Rishtey (1978). Her character, Savitri, is in love with another man, but still marries Jeetendra. A marital drama unfolds.

• Reena played a part in Rajkumar Kohli’s Jaani Dushman (1979). The film had a huge star cast, from Sunil Dutt to Sanjeev Kumar and Rekha to Shatrugan Sinha. It however did not do too well.

• Reena received another Filmfare nomination for her role in the family drama Aasha (1980).

• In 1981 came the star-studded Naseeb. The film’s main theme was destiny, intertwined with love, sacrifice, revenge and friendship. Though the film had some of the biggest actors of that time, like Amitabh and Hema Malini, Reena shone in the film.

• She played the role of a widow in Dhanwan (1981) alongside Rajesh Khanna.

• In the romantic family drama Pyaasa Sawan (1981) Reena was once more cast opposite Jeetendra.

• In 1982 Reena played the role of a courtesan Lakshmi, in Lakshmi. Though the film was not a commercial success, it showcased her dancing talent as well as the fact that she is a brilliant actor.

• She showed off her dancing prowess with Kamal Hassan in Sanam Teri Kasam (1982) and the film received a stupendous response.

• Once more paired with Jeetendra in Arpan (1983), Reena plays the character of Shobha, an epitome of Indian womanhood and sacrifice.

• Karishmaa (1984) saw Reena in the role of a model, which she carried out with panache. The film also stars Kamal Hassan.

• The film that launched Kareena and Abhishek, Refugee (2000) saw a performance by Reena.

Reena Roy has been an exceptional actor. She has proved to be versatile in not just her roles but dancing styles as well. She ruled the box office in the early 80’s, giving even top female actors like Rekha and Hema Malini a tough time at the box office.

Reena