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In Hindi cinema, there are many actresses who became more famous for playing mother roles than as leading heroines. From Reema Lagoo to Anjana Mumtaz, Rakhi Gulzar, Kirron Kher, and many others in the industry, these actresses became symbols of motherhood on screen.
These are the actresses who didn’t achieve as much fame playing lead roles as they did by portraying mothers, becoming household names. In the 60s and 70s, there was another face that was widely recognized for playing mother roles — none other than Nirupa Roy. The tragic roles she portrayed in films were mirrored by the struggles she faced in her real life.
Nirupa Roy can undoubtedly be called Bollywood's most sorrowful mother. She portrayed the mother of many superstars, including Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor, among others. While she became famous in Bollywood by the name Nirupa Roy, very few people might know her real name. Nirupa Roy got married at the age of 15, and interestingly, her film career also began after her marriage.
Nirupa Roy was born in Valsad, Gujarat, into a Gujarati family. Today marks her 93rd birth anniversary. Her father worked in the railways. Nirupa Roy's real name was Kanta Chauhan. When she entered the film industry, she changed her name from Kanta Chauhan to Nirupa Roy.
Nirupa Roy's husband, Kamal Roy, worked as a ration inspector. It was Kamal who encouraged Nirupa Roy to pursue a career in films. However, when Nirupa Roy's father found out that his daughter had entered the film industry, he was furious. Nirupa Roy had mentioned in an interview that her father told her that he would sever ties with her. And that’s exactly what happened — after that, he never spoke to her again.
She achieved immense success in her career, but this success came not through lead roles, but through her portrayal of mothers. She is one of those actresses in Hindi cinema whose face instantly evokes the image of a sorrowful mother in the minds of the audience. Nirupa Roy played the mother of several big stars on the big screen, including Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. Over the course of her film career, Nirupa Roy played the role of a mother in more than 200 films.
In real life, Nirupa Roy's relationship with her children wasn't particularly smooth. A few years ago, a video of her sons surfaced, in which they were seen fighting with each other. Despite the immense professional success Nirupa Roy achieved, a controversial incident in her personal life caused a major uproar. In 2001, her daughter-in-law, Una Roy, filed a police complaint against her. In the complaint, Una Roy accused Nirupa Roy of subjecting her to dowry harassment.
In addition to this, Una Roy also accused Nirupa Roy and her husband, Kamal Roy, of possessing alleged black money. The case sent shockwaves through the entire film industry, and it was a deeply challenging time for Nirupa Roy, as the accusations made by her daughter-in-law were quite serious.
However, after a thorough investigation by the police, no evidence was found to support Una Roy's allegations against Nirupa Roy. As a result, the court dismissed the charges, and the actress was cleared of all accusations in this highly controversial case. The iconic actress passed away on October 13, 2004, at the age of 73 due to a cardiac arrest.
Rumours circulated at the time of her death that Nirupa Roy allegedly suffered a heart attack after witnessing her sons, Yogesh and Kiran, fighting over property. Reports suggested that both sons were pressuring her to transfer the property into their respective names. The emotional toll of seeing her children in conflict took a significant mental and emotional strain on Nirupa Roy. Ultimately, she succumbed to a cardiac arrest and passed away in 2004. Despite these personal struggles, her legacy in Indian cinema remains enduring, thanks to her unforgettable work.
