RIP legendary actress Kumkum

Kumkum, born Zaibunnisa (22 April 1934 – 28 July 2020), was an Indian film actress from Hussainabad in Sheikhpura district, Bihar. Her father was Nabab of Hussainabad and belonged to a highly regarded family. She acted in approximately 115 films during her career. She is best known for her roles in Mr. X in Bombay (1964), Mother India (1957), Son of India (1962), Kohinoor (1960), Ujala, Naya Daur, Shreeman Funtoosh, Ek Sapera Ek Lutera, Ganga Ki Laharen, Raja Aur Runk, Aankhen (1968), Lalkaar, Geet and Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari. She paired with many film heroes of her era and was popular in roles alongside Kishore Kumar.

Kumkum also acted in Bhojpuri films, starting with Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1963), which was also the first ever Bhojpuri film.

Kumkum was discovered by Guru Dutt. Guru Dutt was to picturise the song "Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar Laaga Teere Nazar" for his movie Aar Paar (1954) on his friend Jagdeep (father of Javed Jaffery, Naved Jaffery), but later decided to picturise this song on a female actor. But at that time, no one agreed to do a small song. Then Guru Dutt finally picturised this song on Kumkum. Later, Kumkum was seen in a small role in Pyaasa (1957). The famous song "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan" from C.I.D (1956), sung by Geeta Dutt was picturised on her. She was also paired alongside Shammi Kapoor in a side role in Mem Saheb (1956) and also in lead opposite Shammi Kapoor in Char Dil Char Raahein (1959).

She was trained in Kathak by the noted Pandit, Shambhu Maharaj. She showed her dancing talents in the film Kohinoor (1960) with Dilip Kumar. "Madhuban Mein Radhika Nache Re" and "Haye Jaadugar Qaatil, Haazir Hai Mera Dil", sung by Asha Bhosle for Naushad were picturised on Kumkum. She was paired opposite Kishore Kumar in films like Ganga Ki Laharen, Shreeman Funtoosh, Haaye Mera Dil and Mr. X in Bombay. The songs like "Khoobsurat Haseena" from Mr. X in Bombay, "Ijazat Ho Toh" from Haaye Mera Dil, "Sultana Sultana" from Shreeman Funtoosh and "Machalti Hui" from Ganga Ki Lahren, which were picturised on the pair Kishore-Kumkum remain popular since their release to this day.

Kumkum was a favourite choice for writer director Ramanand Sagar. Sagar decided to cast Kumkum as Dharmendra's sister in Ankhen, a super hit film of 1968. In 1970, for Geet, Kumkum was Ramanand Sagar's choice for a small role. But in Lalkar (1972), she was paired with Dharmendra, while Rajendra Kumar was paired with Mala Sinha. Kumkum was paired with Kiran Kumar in Jalte Badan (1973), produced, directed and written once again by Sagar. She was paired opposite Vinod Khanna in Dhamkee in 1973 and the duet song "Chand Kya Hai Roop Ka Darpan" became hugely popular. She was paired opposite Pran in the comedy film Ek Kuwara Ek Kuwari, directed by Prakash Mehra, which was a blockbuster.

After her marriage, she left the industry. Husband named Sajjad Akbar Khan was from Lucknow and would always work in Saudi Arabia. After marriage she shifted to Saudi Arabia for 23 years. She returned to India in 1995 and to Mumbai in 2004. She launched  the first ever Bhojpuri film magazine in 2006. Kumkum returned to the limelight to launch a Bhojpuri magazine in 2006. Her husband and son were with her on this occasion.  Actress Abir Abrar is her niece (Husband Sajjad Akbar Khan's brother's daughter.), and her daughter is named Andaleeb Akbar Khan. Nephew is actor Govinda. Govinda's mother Nirmala Devi and Kumkum are half sister's. They had the same father, (Vasudev Maharaj aka Vasudev Narayan Singh).

Filmography
Aar Paar (1954) as dancer in song "Kabhi Aar Kabhi Paar" (Uncredited Role)
Mirza Ghalib (1954)
Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955)
House No. 44 (1955)
Kundan (1955)
Funtoosh (1956)
C.I.D. (1956)
Basant Bahar (1956)
Naya Daur (1957)
Mother India (1957)
Pyaasa (1957)
Baarish (1957)
Ghar Sansar (1958)
Char Dil Char Rahen (1959)
Shararat (1959)
Kali Topi Lal Rumal (1959)
Ujala (1959)
Kohinoor (1960)
Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere (1960)
Son Of India (1962)
King Kong (1962)
Sher Khan (1962)
Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari Chadhaibo (1963, Bhojpuri)
Laagi Nahi Chhute Ram (1963, Bhojpuri)
Mr. X in Bombay (1964)
Ganga Ki Lahren (1964)
Ek Sapera Ek Lutera (1965)
Shreeman Funtoosh (1965)
Raja Aur Runk (1968)
Ankhen (1968)
Gunah Aur Kanoon (1970)
Geet (1970)
Aan Baan (1972)
Lalkar (1972)
Dhamkee (1973)
Jalte Badan (1973)
Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)

Son of India,1962