Biography
Reena Roy was a prominent leading actress in Hindi cinema from 1972 to 1985. She was born into a broken family, with a Muslim father and a Hindu mother who separated after having four children. Reena, the third child, began her film career in her early teens. Her debut was with B.R. Ishara's "Nayi Duniya Naye Log" (1973), co-starring newcomer Danny Denzongpa, but the film was temporarily shelved. Ishara then cast both actors again in "Zaroorat" (1972), alongside another newcomer, Vijay Arora. The bold film became a hit, earning Reena the nickname "Zaroorat Girl." She waited for her next big break, which came with "Jaise Ko Taisa" (1973), where her rain-drenched dance to the song "Abke Sawan" with Jeetendra was widely appreciated. Although she worked in films like "Jangal Mein Mangal," "Rani Aur Lalpari," "Madhosh," "Goonj," and "Umar Qaid," most did not leave a mark until the mid-1970s. Her popularity grew with "Zakhmee" (1975) and "Kalicharan" (1976), which earned her recognition among directors and audiences. Expectations were low for "Kalicharan," as it marked the directorial debut of Subhash Ghai, a former unsuccessful actor, and featured Shatrugan Sinha, known for villain roles, as the lead hero for the first time. However, the film surpassed all expectations and became a surprise hit, with Reena gaining attention as Shatrugan's love interest. The two also became an off-screen couple and signed several films together. Her on-screen pairing with Sunil Dutt was also well-received by audiences. The success of "Zakhmee" and "Kalicharan" paved the way for her stardom with "Nagin" (1976). In the title role of the vengeful serpent woman, she brutally kills five leading male stars to avenge her lover's death. The film was a massive success, earning Reena her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress and establishing her as one of the top heroines in Hindi cinema. Director Raj Kumar Kohli frequently collaborated with Reena, producing major multi-star blockbusters such as "Nagin," "Jaani Dushman" (1979), "Muqabla" (1979), and "Raaj Tilak" (1984).
