Long before the Rajesh Khanna craze or the magnetic pull of Amitabh Bachchan, there was one artist who drew hysteria like no other — Suraiya, the actress-singer who reigned supreme in the 1940s and early 1950s. On her death anniversary, we remember the phenomenon she was, and how her popularity once grew so overwhelming that she had to be escorted everywhere with police protection.
Though today’s generation often remembers Suraiya mostly for her legendary love story with Dev Anand, in her prime she was far more than a romantic anecdote. She was the most sought-after actress of her time, commanding a fee nearly double that of many contemporaries such as Kamini Kaushal. Her rise to superstardom came with a string of back-to-back hits including ‘Anmol Ghadi’ (1946), ‘Dard’ (1947), ‘Badi Behen’ (1949), ‘Dillagi’ (1949), and ‘Mirza Ghalib’ (1954). By the early 1950s, she was counted among the highest-paid and most popular actresses in Indian cinema.
Her popularity often reached fever pitch. It is said that during the premiere of ‘Badi Behen’, the crowd outside the theatre became so uncontrollable that police had to resort to a lathi charge — a rare occurrence in the history of Hindi cinema. After this incident, Suraiya stopped attending film premieres altogether, fearing the frenzy of her fans.
At her residence, Krishna Mahal on Marine Drive in Mumbai, fans would gather from dawn till dusk, simply to catch a glimpse of their beloved star. Stepping out in public became such a challenge that she was provided round-the-clock police protection — both at home and whenever she moved outdoors.
Such was her magnetism that even future stars weren’t immune to her charm. A young Dharmendra, still years away from his own stardom, was so besotted with Suraiya that he reportedly watched her film Dillagi forty times — walking miles on foot each time just to reach the cinema hall.
Suraiya was not just a screen goddess but a voice that defined an era. Her blend of acting and singing, her ethereal presence, and the unbridled adoration she inspired made her a true icon — one who remains unmatched in the annals of Hindi cinema.
