Shyama (Hindi actress) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shyama
Born	Khurshid Akhtar (1935-06-07)7 June 1935 Lahore, Punjab, British India (now in Pakistan)
Died	14 November 2017(2017-11-14) (aged 82) Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Resting place	Badakabarastan, Marine Lines, Mumbai
Nationality	Indian
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1945 – 1989
Notable work	Tarana (1951) Aar Paar (1954) Sharada (1957) Barsaat Ki Raat (1960)
Spouse(s)	Fali Mistry (1953–1979; his death)
Awards	Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress (1958)

Shyama (born Khurshid Akhtar; 7 June 1935 – 14 November 2017) was a famous Indian actress who starred in many Hindi films. Her real name was Khurshid Akhtar. She acted in movies for a long time, from 1945 to 1989! She is especially remembered for her roles in films like Aar Paar (1954) and Barsaat Ki Raat (1960).

Her Amazing Acting Journey

Early Life and First Roles

Shyama was born Khurshid Akhtar in Lahore, Punjab, which was part of British India at the time, on June 7, 1935. Her family was Muslim. In the 1940s, she moved from Lahore to Mumbai, India.

When she was a young girl, she started acting in films. Some of her early movies include Zeenat (1945) and Meerabai (1947). She even worked with the famous actor Shammi Kapoor in the romantic film Mirza Sahiban (1957).

Becoming a Big Star

The film director Vijay Bhatt gave her the stage name Shyama. This is the name she became famous for in all her movies. She played leading roles in many films.

One of her most well-known movies was Guru Dutt's classic Aar Paar (1954). Later, she gave a fantastic performance in Barsaat Ki Raat (1960). Shyama was a very popular star in the 1950s and 1960s. She acted in more than 150 movies! Between 1952 and 1960, she appeared in about 80 films, mostly in main roles. In 1963, she had 18 films released, and in 1964, she had 17 films come out.

Shyama in Chhoo Mantar (1956)

Awards and Special Moments

Shyama's most famous roles were in Aar Paar (1954), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960), and Tarana (1951). People also praised her for being able to play many different kinds of characters. She showed her talent in films like Milan, Bhai-Bhai (1956), Mirza Sahiban (1957), Bhabhi (1957), and Sharada (1957).

For her amazing acting in Sharada, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. This was a big achievement!

Shyama was known for how well she acted along with the music and lyrics of songs. Many songs filmed with her became very popular. Some examples are "Ae Dil Mujhe Bata De" and "O Chand Jahan Wo Jaye". She even played two different characters, twins, in the film Do Bahen (1959). The twins had very different personalities.

She once said in an interview that she felt confident and didn't need much teaching about acting. She believed that some actors are just born with natural talent.

Shyama often worked with the comedian and actor Johnny Walker. They appeared together in films like Choo Mantar, Aar Paar, and Johnny Walker.

Later in her career, she had memorable roles in films starring Rajesh Khanna, such as Masterji (1985) and Ajanabee (1974). She also acted in Sawan Bhadon (1970) and Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966).

Her Family Life

Shyama married cinematographer Fali Mistry in 1953. Fali was from Mumbai, India. For about 10 years, they kept their marriage a secret. This was because, at that time, people thought that female stars might lose fans if they got married.

Their marriage became public just before their first child was born. Shyama and Fali had three children: two sons named Faroukh and Rohin, and a daughter named Shirrin. Fali Mistry passed away in 1979. Shyama continued to live in Mumbai after his death. They had a happy marriage. Shyama once said that Fali was her "greatest weakness," showing how much she cared for him.

Shyama was close friends with actress Ameeta and actor Johnny Walker. Johnny Walker's son, Nasir Kazi, was sad to hear about her passing. He mentioned that Shyama and his father worked together in many films, and she was even the heroine in the movie named "Johnny Walker." Shyama's son, Faroukh Mistry, also became a cinematographer, just like his father.

Saying Goodbye

Shyama passed away on November 14, 2017, when she was 82 years old. She died due to a lung infection. She is buried in Badakabarastan, Marine Lines in Mumbai, India.

Films She Starred In