Reena Roy was born as Saira Ali on January 7, 1957, in Mumbai, India. She began her career in the film industry at a very young age, reportedly around 14 or 15 years old— primarily to support her family after her parents separated. She adopted the screen name Reena Roy when she began her acting career
Reena’s first film was “Zaroorat” (1972), which was a low-budget production featuring bold themes for that era. In this film, she performed several intimate scenes, which resulted in her being referred to as the “Zaroorat Girl” within the industry.
Despite being typecast early in her career, Reena dedicated herself to demonstrating her capabilities beyond such labels. By the mid-1970s, Reena Roy’s career began to thrive. She showcased both glamour and emotional depth, securing her position among the leading heroines of her era.
Her notable films include “Kalicharan” (1976) – alongside Shatrughan Sinha, a pivotal moment in her career. “Nagin” (1976) – a cult classic in which she portrayed a shape-shifting serpent woman, achieving significant box-office success. “Jaani Dushman” (1979) – a multi-starrer horror thriller. “Apnapan” (1977) – which earned her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. Other films include “Naseeb”, “Rocky”, “Aasha”, “Dhanwan”, and “Sanam Teri Kasam”, among others.
Reena Roy frequently starred alongside prominent actors such as Jeetendra, Rajesh Khanna, Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra, and notably Shatrughan Sinha. Their professional collaborations were complemented by their widely discussed off-screen relationship, contributing to the success of many of their joint films.
Reena Roy ultimately distanced herself from the film industry after her marriage to Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in the early 1980s. She relocated to Pakistan for a period, but the marriage was short-lived. Following her divorce, she made her way back to India and gradually re-entered the entertainment industry. In the 1990s and early 2000s, Reena made several appearances in character roles and on television.
Reena Roy is remembered as one of the most daring yet versatile actresses of her time. She shattered stereotypes early in her career and evolved from bold roles to significant performances in mainstream cinema. Her transformation from a struggling teenager to a superstar is frequently referenced as a testament to resilience and reinvention.
Also Read: Money, Ego & Missed Chances: Why Amitabh Bachchan Skipped Films with Dimple & Reena Roy
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