Sikhs in Bollywood

Sikhs in Bollywood

It is difficult to imgine a walk of life where Sikhs, one of India’s most dynamic minorities, have not made a significant contribution. The film industry, too, has attracted many talented people from this community right from the days when films began to be made in India. Over the decades, we have had several actors, directors, producers, story-writers, lyricists, singers, cinematographers, et al from this community who shot into fame by dint of their talent, perseverance and determination.

The first Sikh actress who became a household name for her negative roles in films was, of course, the one and only Kuldip Kaur. Kuldip Kaur is regarded by film historians as the quintessential vamp of Hindi films. In the 40s and 50s, she could be seen in almost every other film that was released. Not very tall, Kuldip Kaur was nevertheless a beautiful woman with a powerful screen presence. Above all, she was very good actress.

Hailing from a rich Sikh family of Attari (near Amritsar), Kuldip Kaur was undoubtedly far in advance of her times. At a time when girls from respectable Sikh households could not even imagine of making film acting as their career, Kuldip Kaur, defying conventions and the strong oposition put up by her tradition-bound family, had chosen to join the film industry.

Geeta Bali (real name Harikirtan Kaur), introduced by the late director Mazhar Khan, also created a new trend in the field of acting. She belonged to a highly religious Sikh family. Her role in Bawre Nayan, directed by Kidar Sharma, ensured her immortality in the annals of cinema.

Many other Sikh girls have subsequently dominated the Indian film world-Kuldeep Kaur, the great 'vamp', and scintillating heroines like Neetu Singh, Shoma Anand, Ranjeeta, Poonam Dhillon, Anita Raj, and Yogeeta Bali, who is Geeta Bali's niece.

CONTD BY user:Sarbjeet 1313me