Munawar Sultana was an Indian Cinema Actress. She is cited as one of the popular actresses of the late 1940s to 1950s. Munawar Sultana’s first film was Mazhar Khan’s “Pehli Nazar”. She was kept busy through 1947 to 1949, working several films.

1947 Munawar acted in four films. Dard, Elan, Andhoki Duniya and Naiyya. Dard was directed by Abdul Rashid Kardar. In spite of no big stars being in the film, it turned out to be a surprise “musical hit” at the box office. Munawar is a main heroine. The song “Afsana Likh Rahi Hu” became a big success. Dard was a Social Romantic Melodrama which involved a love triangle in the form of two girls. Both in love with Doctor.

In 1948 Munawar’s four films released. “Elan” film directed by Mehboob Khan, positive reviews for Munawar. The film was praised for its “Progressive Attitude” towards the need of education. Bombay Talkies film “Majboor’s” story was an ‘inter communal’ love story with a Muslim boy falling for a Hindu girl. Munawar formed a ‘hit-pairing’ with Shyam in this film.

1949 was Munawar’s busiest year seven film releases. Baburao Patel wrote in the Cine Magazine Filmindia 1949 Munawar being one of the most over worked actresses. One of the film “Dil ki Duniya” was praised for its “versatility” and “well balanced production value” along with good performance by Munawar. The film was claimed to have well of the box office.

In 1950 her four films released. Munawar’s most notable film was ‘Babul’ (Father’s Home). She acted opposite Dilip Kumar and Nargis in this love triangle. The 2nd highest earning film 1950 was Babul. The songs in this film was mostly about the joys and pains of love. The best known song in the film “Chod Babul ka Ghar” (literally meaning (Now you must leave your Father’s house), is performed when a newly married girl departs from her maternal house and village. Cinematographer Fali Mistry contributes much to the film with atmospheric lighting, especially during night scene and it able to create an essence of darkness in the hill top mansion which adds an element of suspense.

She acted in a few more films till 1956 with ‘Jallad’ being her last appearance.

Photos courtesy Google . Excerpts taken from Google