Kumkum a real girl living next door….

Veteran Bollywood actress Kumkum, (22 April 1934-28 July 2020) who regaled cine lovers in the 50s and 60s, with her superb dance skill, vivid performance suited to every character she played, finally took exit from this world on Tuesday   
The actress who was off the screen for nearly three decades, revived memories of past films, especially the films of black and white era, when the technology was not much advanced, yet the films left lasting impression on viewers’ mind.   
Kumkum, who was introduced to Hindi films by legendary actor-filmmaker Guru Dutt in the 50s, passed away at her residence at Bandra in North West Mumbai, after battling age related ailments on 28 July 200. She was 86. 
Kumkum, who looked like a real girl living next door, starred in over 100 films during a career spanning over two decades. She was given a break by Guru Dutt in “Aar Paar” (1954) as a dancer in the song “Kabhi Aar, Kabhi Paar”. She also played a small role in Guru Dutt’s 1957 movie “Pyaasa”. 
She was best known for her roles in Mother India (1957), Naya Daur (1957), Ujala (1959), Kali Topi Lal Rumal (1959), Kohinoor (1960), Son Of India (1962), Ganga Ki Lahren (1964), Shreeman Funtoosh (1965), Ek Sapera Ek Lutera (1965), Raja Aur Runk (1968), Ankhen (1968), Geet (1970) and Lalkar (1972). 
She featured in popular songs such as “Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan” from 1956 film C.I.D (starring Dev Anand, Shakila, Waheeda Rehman), “Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re” from 1960 film “Kohinoor” (She worked with Dilip Kumar in that film) and “Mere Mehboob Qayamat Hogi” from 1964 movie “Mr X In Bombay”. Kumkum co-starred with Shammi Kapoor in a brief role in 1956 film “Mem Saheb” and played the female lead opposite Shammi Kapoor in 1959 movie “Char Dil Char Raahein”. She also starred in a few Bhojpuri movies – 1963’s “Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo” was her first. She was last seen in 1973 film “Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara”. 
She was trained in Kathak by the famous Pandit Shambhu Maharaj. She showed her dancing talents in the film “Kohinnor”. She was paired opposite Vinod Khanna in “Dhamkee” in 1973 and the duet song “Chand Kya Hai Roop Ka Darpan” became hugely popular. She was paired opposite Pran in the comedy film “Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari”, directed by Prakash Mehra, which was a blockbuster. 
She was born as Zaibunnissa on April 22, 1934, in Hussainabad, Sheikhpura district, Bihar. She was the daughter of Nawab Manzoor Hassan Khan, a landlord in Hussainabad, Patna. Before her birth, her father accepted Islam. Her sister Radhika was also an actress. 
Kumkum was married to Sajjad Akbar Khan, who was from Lucknow. After marriage she shifted to Saudi Arabia with her husband and stayed there for nearly 23 years. The couple had two children— Andaleeb Akbar Khan (daughter) and Hadi Ali Abrar (son)( film director). She returned to India in 1995. She came to prominence when she launched the first ever Bhojpuri film magazine in 2006.