Top Bollywood Actresses in 1950s
The 1950s was a golden era for Bollywood and witnessed the emergence of some of its greatest stars and classic films that continue to be cherished today. The era was marked by colorful musical extravaganzas, melodious songs, and captivating storytelling. Iconic actors like Raj Kapoor, Nargis, and Dev Anand captured the hearts of millions with their mesmerizing performances. Leading ladies like Nutan, Madhubala, and Meena Kumari became household names and left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.
In every era, there is significant curiosity about top movie actresses and actors. So in this post, we will look at the Top Bollywood actresses in the 1950s
Madhubala
Madhubala is ranked as one of the most beautiful and highest-paid actresses in the 1950s and 60s. After debuting as a child actor in the 1940s, she earned success as a leading star in Neel Kamal (1947), Amar (1954), and Mahal (1949). Madhubala’s portrayal of Anarkali in the historical epic drama Mughal-e-Azam (1960)—the highest-grossing film in India at that point in time—earned her widespread critical acclaim.
Top Movies: Mahal (1949), Badal (1951), Tarana (1951), Mr. & Mrs. ’55 (1955), Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958) , Howrah Bridge, Kala Pani (both 1958), Mughal-e-Azam (1960, and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).
Nargis
Nargis Dutt is regarded as one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema. She made her screen debut as a child actress in 1935 and in 1943 as the lead actress in Mehboob Khan’s Taqdeer. She came into the limelight in 1949 with the hit movies Andaz and Barsaat. She appeared in Mehboob Khan’s Oscar-nominated epic drama Mother India (1957), the highest-grossing film in India at that point in time, and won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.
Top Movies: Aag (1948), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955) , Chori Chori (1956), Mother India (1957) and Raat Aur Din (1967)
Meena Kumari
Meena Kumari was one of the top stars in the 50s and 60s in Bollywood. She had a remarkable career and is often remembered as the “Tragedy Queen” of Indian cinema due to her exceptional performances in emotionally intense and dramatic roles.
She gained recognition with notable films like “Baiju Bawra” (1952), “Parineeta” (1953), and “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962), for which she received critical acclaim and awards. Her prominence continued into the 1960s when she delivered some of her most memorable performances in movies such as “Aarti” (1962), “Main Chup Rahungi” (1962), “Mere Apne” (1971), and “Kaajal” (1965).
Nutan
Nutan is regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema and one of the top actresses in the 1950s and 60s. She has won a record five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. In 1974, Nutan received the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award. Nutan started her career at the age of 14 in the 1950 film Hamari Beti and garnered wider recognition and her first Filmfare Award for Best Actress in the 1955 movie Seema.
Top Movies: Nagina , Hum Log (1951), Seema (1955), Sujata (1959), Anari (1959), Chhalia (1960), Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967), Anuraag (1972) and Saudagar (1973). and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala is one of Indian cinema’s finest actresses and dancers. Initially, she did Tamil and Telugu movies and She garnered acclaim in Bollywood for her role in the period drama film Devdas (1955). She is the recipient of several accolades, including two BFJA Awards and five Filmfare Awards.
Top Movies: Nagin (1954), Devdas (1955), New Delhi (1956), Naya Daur (1957) , Aasha (1957), Madhumati (1958), Ganga Jumna (1961), Sangam (1964), Amrapali (1966), Jewel Thief (1967), Prince (1969) and Ganwaar (1970)
Mala Sinha
Mala Sinha was a top leading actress in Hindi Cinema in the late 1950s and 1960s and one of the highest-paid actresses. She rose to prominence with Pyaasa (1957) and Yash Chopra’s Dhool Ka Phool (1959). She was known as the “daring diva” and “the torchbearer of women’s cinema” for essaying strong female-centric and unconventional roles in a range of movies considered ahead of their times
Top Movies: Phir Subah Hogi (1958), Hariyali Aur Rasta, Anpadh (both 1962), Dil Tera Deewana (1962), Gumrah, Bahurani (both 1963), Jahan Ara (1964), Himalay Ki God Mein (1965), Aasra (1966), Ankhen, Do Kaliyan (both 1968) and Maryada (1971) .
Nalini Jaywant
Nalini Jaywant appeared in Hindi films in the 1940s and 1950s and Filmfare in their poll in the 1950s declared her the most beautiful woman in the movies. Actor Dilip Kumar described her “the greatest actress he ever worked with”. She started as a teenage actress in the 1940s and gained fame in 1950 as a lead star with her performances opposite Ashok Kumar in Samadhi and Sangram.
Top Movies: Jalpari (1952), Kafila (1952), Nau Bahar (1952), Saloni (1952), Rahi (1953), Shikast (1953), Railway Platform (1955), Nastik (1954), Lakeeren (1954), Naaz (1954), Munimji (1955), and Ham Sab Chor Hain (1956 film), Mr. X (1957), Sheroo (1957), and Kala Pani (1958)
Nimmi
Nimmi was one of the leading actresses of the “golden era” of Hindi cinema and achieved stardom in the 1950s and early 1960s. She made her debut in Hindi movies with Raj Kapoor’s superhit movie, Barsaat in 1949 and thus came into the limelight.
Top Movies: Sazaa (1951), Aan (1952), Uran Khatola (1955), Bhai-Bhai (1956), Kundan (1955), Mere Mehboob (1963), Pooja Ke Phool (1964), Akashdeep (1965), and Basant Bahar (1956).
Geeta Bali
Geeta Baali is one of the top actresses of the 1950s and she married noted film actor Shammi Kapoor. She started her film career as a child actress, at the age of 12, with the film The Cobbler and made her debut as a heroine in Badnaami (1946).
Top Movies: Bawre Nain (1950), Baazi (1951), Albela (1951), Jaal (1952), Anand Math (1952), Vachan (1954), Kavi (1955), Jailor (1958) and Mr. India (1951)
Bina Rai
Bina Rai was an Indian actress, primarily from the black-and-white era of Hindi cinema. She made her debut in Kishore Sahu’s Kali Ghata (1951) and is most known for her roles in classics such as Anarkali (1953), Ghunghat (1960), and Taj Mahal (1963), and won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her performance in Ghunghat.