Shakila (1935-2017), born Badshah Begum on January 1, 1935, was a captivating actress who became a prominent face of Hindi cinema’s golden age in the 1950s and early 1960s. Her life was a tale of aristocratic origins, early tragedy, cinematic stardom, and ultimately, a choice for private life over sustained fame.
Born into a family with roots in the royal lines of Afghanistan and Iran, Shakila’s early life was marred by tragedy. After her paternal grandparents and mother were killed in family feuds, her father fled with his children to Mumbai. Following her father’s death soon after, Shakila and her sisters were raised by their devoted paternal aunt, Feroza Begum. It was this aunt’s fondness for movies and her friendships with industry stalwarts like Kardar and Mehboob Khan that paved the way for the sisters’ entry into cinema.
Shakila made her debut as a child artist in Kardar’s Dastaan (1949). After several supporting roles, her career reached a turning point with Guru Dutt’s classic film, Aar Paar (1954). She delivered a nuanced performance as a cabaret dancer, and the film’s most memorable songs, including the timeless “Babuji Dheere Chalna,” were picturized on her, cementing her stardom. Her success continued with another Guru Dutt production, the crime thriller C.I.D. (1956), where she starred opposite Dev Anand.
An interesting career turn saw Shakila become a star of B-grade fantasy and mythological films. When her aunt quoted an unusually high fee for Alibaba and the Forty Thieves (1954) to avoid typecasting, the producer surprisingly agreed. The film’s success led to a string of similar roles, earning her the affectionate title “Arbi Chehra” (Arabian Princess) from the industry. A notable A-grade fantasy film was Hatim Tai (1956), where she played an ethereal fairy. One of her last major hits was China Town (1962), opposite Shammi Kapoor, which featured the chartbuster song “Baar Baar Dekho.”
Shakila’s personal life was also connected to the industry; her sister, Noor, married the famed comedian Johnny Walker. In 1963, at the peak of her career, Shakila married a non-film businessman, Y.M. Elias, and moved to London, retiring from cinema. The couple had a daughter, Meenaz, whose tragic suicide in 1991 was a devastating blow for Shakila. Following this loss, she returned to Mumbai.
Despite offers to return to films, Shakila chose to stay away from the limelight, wanting audiences to remember her as the young, beautiful heroine she was. She maintained close friendships with contemporaries like Waheeda Rehman, Nanda, and Asha Parekh.
Shakila passed away on September 20, 2017, at the age of 82. She leaves behind a legacy of memorable performances and iconic songs that defined a generation. Her life exemplifies the journey of an artist who navigated the heights of fame with grace and ultimately prioritised personal peace, preserving her luminous screen image for eternity.