Meena Kumari or Mahjabeen Bano (1 August 1932 – 31 March 1972), was an Indian movie actress and poetess. She is regarded as one of the most prominent actresses to have appeared on the screens of Hindi Cinema. During a career spanning 30 years, from her childhood to her death, she starred in more than ninety films, many of which have achieved classic and cult status today. Kumari gained a reputation for playing grief-stricken and tragic roles and, like one of her best-known roles — that of the Chhoti Bahu, in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962) — she became addicted to alcohol. Her life and career were marred by heavy drinking and troubled relationships, and she died from liver cirrhosis in 1972.

(Bio and photo, courtesy Wikipedia.)