Popular Bollywood Actresses Who Lived More Than 90 Years
Posted On: 23 Oct 2024 | Last Updated : 07 Nov 2024 | Views : 1.0k
Bollywood has seen countless stars light up the silver screen over the decades, but only a select few have had the privilege of gracing us with their presence for over 90 years. These remarkable women not only enriched Indian cinema with their talent but also lived long, fulfilling lives, serving as inspirations both on and off the screen. The longevity of these Bollywood stars reflected their passion for their craft and ability to adapt to the changing dynamics of the film industry. Here’s a look at some of Bollywood’s extraordinary actresses who lived beyond 90 years and enjoyed long and illustrious lives but also made significant contributions to Indian cinema.
1. Fatma Begum (1892 - 1983) – 91 Years
Fatma Begum was one of Indian cinema’s first women superstars of the black and white era who besides an actress, was also a director and screenwriter. She is often considered Indian cinema’s first female film director too, who launched her own production house, Fatma Films, and later directed her first film, Bulbul-e-Paristan, in 1926. Though she made her acting debut in Ardeshir Irani's silent film Veer Abhimanyu (1922) but later focused on launching three superstar daughters of the silent era -- Zubeida, Sultana, and Shehzadi. She also is a part of the elite list of Bollywood actresses who lived more than 90.
2. Durgabai Kamat (1899 - 19 May 1997) – 98 Years
Known as the grand old mother of the silver screen, Durgabai Kamat was once credited for being the oldest living actress of Bollywood. Born in 1899, she holds the record for being the first actress of Indian cinema. She had a short but prolific career in Hindi as well as Marathi cinema and is remembered for her versatile performances across various genres. She marked her acting debut in Dadasaheb Phalke’s second movie, Mohini Bhasmasur (1913), where she played the female lead as Parvati.
3. Leela Chitnis (09 September 1909 - 14 July 2003) – 93 Years
Born in 1909, Leela Chitnis was one of the oldest actresses who once ruled Bollywood, making significant contributions to Indian cinema with her expressive performances and screen presence. She started her acting career in 1934 by playing an extra until she got her first big break in Gentleman Daku in 1937. This was followed by playing the lead opposite Ashok Kumar in Azad (1940), Bandhan (1940), Jhoola (1941), Ratan (1944) and Jagriti (1954). She later graduated to play mother roles in Awaara (1951), Gunga Jumna (1961), Guide (1965), Bhai Bhai (1970) and Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978). She is remembered as the first Indian movie star to endorse Lux soap in 1941.
4. Zohra Sehgal (27 April 1912 - 10 July 2014) – 102 Years
Born in 1912 in Delhi, choreographer turned actress Zohra Sehgal once held the record of being the oldest living Bollywood actress whose career spanned over six decades. She was a name synonymous with grace and versatility, an actress who left an indelible mark on Indian and international cinema She marked her debut in 1946 in Chetan Anand’s Neecha Nagar and thereafter appeared in popular movies like - Bhago Bhoot Aayaa, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi Dil Se.., Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Dillagi, Veer-Zaara, Cheeni Kum and Saawariya. She also appeared in British films and television shows, making her one of the first Indian actresses to gain recognition abroad. She passed away in 2014 at the age of 102.
5. Pushpa Hans (30 November 1917 - 09 December 2011) – 94 Years
Pushpa Hans Kapoor was an actress and playback singer who ruled Hindi and Punjabi films in the 1940s and 1950s. Born in Fazilka, Punjab in 1917, she is remembered for her acting and songs in Apna Desh (1949), Sheesh Mahal (1950) and others. Her songs in Punjabi films – Chaman (1948) and Kaale Baadal (1950) also made it to the top of the charts. She passed away in 2011 at the age of 94.
6. Achala Sachdev (03 May 1920 - 30 April 2012) – 91 Years
Among Bollywood female celebs who lived more than 90 years was veteran actress, Achala Sachdev. She started her Bollywood career by playing a child artist role in Fashionable Wife (1938) before getting noticed in films like Dilruba (1950), Maa (1952), Anhonee (1952), Footpath (1953), Chandni Chowk (1954) and Bandhan (1956). She later started playing mother and grandmother roles in popular films, including Waqt (1965), Prem Pujari (1970), Mera Naam Joker (1970), Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Julie (1975), Chandni (1989), Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) and Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003).
7. Sitara Devi (08 November 1920 - 25 November 2014) – 94 Years
Sitara Devi was a renowned Bollywood actress and classical Kathak dancer and singer. Born in 1920, she started her acting career in 1934 with the film Shaher Ka Jadoo and later played the female lead in many popular films like, Achhut (1939), Meri Aankhen (1939), Holi (1940), Roti (1942) and Society (1942). She gradually shifted to playing supporting roles in Mother India (1957), Paisa Ya Pyar (1969) and Badi Maa (1974). She married three times and was a recipient of many national and international awards. She breathed her last in Mumbai in 2014 at the age of 94.
8. Smriti Biswas (17 February 1924 - 03 July 2024) – 100 Years
Smriti Biswas joins the elite list of notable Bollywood actresses who lived over 100 years and worked in over 30 films in Hindi, Marathi, and Bengali. She marked her acting debut as a child artist in the Bengali movie Sandhya (1930) and featured in notable movies like Chandni Chowk (1954), Shikar (1955), Baap Re Baap (1955), Bhagam Bhag (1956), Jagte Raho (1956), Sailaab (1956), Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Daaka (1959) and Modern Girl (1961). She died in Nashik in 2024 at the age of 100.
9. Kamini Kaushal (24 February 1927 - Present)
Kamini Kaushal happens to be one of the notable Bollywood actresses who lived beyond 90 years. Born in 1927, she has not only contributed to the cinematic world with their talent but also led lives filled with grace and resilience. Her over seven decades-long acting career, which started in 1946 with Neecha Nagar, has inspired new generations of actors and filmmakers. Playing the lead heroine in films from 1946 to 1963, she is remembered for her roles in Do Bhai (1947), Shaheed (1948), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Ziddi (1948), Shabnam (1949), Paras (1949), Namoona (1949), Arzoo (1950), Biraj Bahu (1954), Shaheed (1965), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Sanyasi (1975), Dus Numbri (1976) and Santosh (1989). In the 2010s, she took a break but praised supporting roles in movies such as Chori Chori (2003), Chennai Express (2013), Kabir Singh (2019), Laal Singh Chaddha (2022).
10. Sulochana Latkar (30 July 1928 - 04 June 2023) – 94 Years
Sulochana Latkar, another gem of Bollywood, who epitomized the portrayal of the quintessential on-screen mother who mesmerized audiences across generations for several decades. Born in 1928, she began her career in the 1940s and acted in more than 50 Marathi and 250 Hindi language films. Some of her notable roles were in movies like Mehrbaan (1967), Duniya (1968), Bhai Bahen (1969), Talaash (1969), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Kati Patang (1970), Amir Garib (1974), Majboor (1974), Azaad (1978), Andhaa Kaanoon (1983) and Khoon Bhari Maang (1988).
11. Kalpana Kartik (19 September 1931 - Present)
Included in the list of Bollywood actresses who are over 90 years is none other than Kalpana Kartik, wife of late Dev Anand. Born in Shimla in 1931, Kalpana Kartik marked her acting debut in Dev Anand’s Baazi (1951). She subsequently featured in six films – Aandhiyan (1952), Humsafar (1953), Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Nau Do Gyarah (1957) and Mr. Prime Minister (2005), all opposite her husband Dev Anand before she quit acting.
12. Vyjayanthimala (13 August 1933 - Present)
Vyjayanthimala is an actress, classical dancer and politician who features among the top 10 oldest living Bollywood actresses. She was one of Bollywood’s leading actresses of the 50s and 60s who featured opposite top actors like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Kishore Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, and others. She made her acting debut in Bahar (1951) and played the female lead in popular films including Nagin (1954), Devdas (1955), New Delhi (1956), Naya Daur (1957), Aasha (1957), Sadhna (1958), Madhumati (1958), Gunga Jumna (1961) and Sangam (1964).
