When cinema started in India, actresses rarely got a chance to act in films. At that time it was considered very bad for women to work in films. However, today women have equal rights. She is doing everything from acting to handling the camera. Did you know that an actress emerged during that era who not only gave many rights to women in the industry, but also became the first Dream Girl. His performance was so great that everyone was his fan, whom we are talking about. Her name is Devika Rani.
However, Devika Rani worked in the film industry for only 10 years. But in 10 years she did 15 films and through that opened many doors for women in cinema. She was first seen in the 1933 film ‘Karma’. The lead actor in this was her first husband Himanshu Rai. Devika was very hot tempered. That is why she was also called ‘Dragon Lady’. At the age of 9, she went to England to study. From there he studied acting. Her performance was compared to that of Greta Garbo.
Jawaharlal Nehru was also a fan
In 1936, she had a film ‘Achoot Kanya’ in which she played the role of a Dalit girl. He also sang a song in this. His film was very successful and people liked it a lot. It was only after this film that she was called a dream girl. He was friends with Sarojini Naidu when the film came out. It was Sarojini who asked Jawaharlal Nehru to watch the film ‘Achchut Kanya’. Jawaharlal Nehru also became a fan after watching the film and wrote a fan letter to Devika.
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Such a beautiful face
Along with acting, she was also unmatched in beauty. It is said that the time when the ‘untouchable girl’ came. The film was released in both Hindi and English languages. At that time, his praises were also published in British newspapers. One newspaper wrote of her, “You hear Devika Rani’s English, such English and such a beautiful face you have never seen before.” He was also honored with Padma Shri.
Bombay Talkies
Devika also created a studio called Bombay Talkies with her first husband Himanshu Rai. Many super hit films were made under his banner. Devika Rani is also credited with bringing Dilip Kumar into films. It was Devika who hired Dilip Kumar to act. In those days Dileep was given a starting salary of Rs 1280 per month. He made many strict rules on the sets. It is said that whoever broke the rules. Money was deducted from his salary as penalty.
Left the film industry
His film journey which started in 1933 ended in 1943. During this time he did everything from acting to production. Her first husband Himanshu Rai died in 1940 and she left the film industry in 1943. After this she married for the second time to Svetoslav Roerich. Earlier the couple lived in Manali, Himachal Pradesh. After that he went to Bengaluru, Karnataka. There he also bought 450 acres of property.
Goodbye Devika Rani
Devika’s second husband also died in 1993 and a year later she also bid farewell to the world. He was given a final farewell with state honours. Devika had no children. Therefore, litigation over his estate continued for many years after his death. Then in 2011 his property was handed over to the Karnataka government as per the Supreme Court decision.
