The Sad Goodbye: Meena Kumari's Family's Difficulties in Covering Rs 3,500 Hospital Expenses When She Passed Away
Meena Kumari's untimely demise was attributed to cirrhosis of the liver, a consequence of her prolonged struggle with alcoholism
Transcript
00:00 Meena Kumari, the eternal beauty of the Indian film industry, was a renowned actress whose
00:05 demise left a void in the hearts of millions of her fans.
00:09 Despite her stature as one of the top actresses in the industry, she had to endure financial
00:15 struggles during her final days.
00:17 Filmmaker Bimal Roy's daughter, Rinky Roy Bhattacharya, in a piece published in Rediff
00:22 in 2014, Rinky Roy revealed that the iconic actor passed away in poverty.
00:29 She shared, "When this actress of high caliber, the regaining goddess of cinema, breathed
00:34 her last on the afternoon of March 31, 1972, at 3.25 p.m. in St. Elizabeth's Nursing Home,
00:42 she did not have Rs. 3,500 required to release her body."
00:49 It was a heartbreaking revelation that someone of Meena Kumari's stature had to face such
00:54 dire circumstances.
00:56 Rinky further disclosed that it was the kindness of Meena Kumari's physician that came to the
01:02 family's rescue.
01:03 "The physician generously made the necessary payment, preventing any further distress for
01:09 the grieving family.
01:10 It was a miracle when a physician bailed out the family," Rinky expressed, acknowledging
01:15 the significant impact of this benevolent act.
01:18 In other accounts, Sawant Kumar Thakur, during an interview with Filmfare, revealed that
01:24 he had taken on the responsibility of paying a hefty hospital bill during Meena Kumari's
01:29 last day.
01:30 He paid Rs. 15,000, sacrificing his own car by selling it to meet the financial obligation.
01:37 Sadly, Meena Kumari passed away only a few weeks later, leaving behind a legacy of great
01:43 talent and immense struggle.
01:47 The tragic cause of Meena Kumari's death was cirrhosis of the liver, a consequence of a
01:52 battle with alcoholism.
01:54 Throughout her career, she graced the silver screen with remarkable performances in iconic
01:59 films such as Baiju Bawra, Do Bhiga Zameen, Pakiza and Shatranch, among many others.
02:06 Her acting and emotive skills made her a celebrated figure in the realm of Indian cinema.
02:13 Meena Kumari's life was a rollercoaster of highs and lows, marked by both success and
02:20 profound sorrow.
02:21 Despite her fame and adulation, she had to endure financial hardships in her final moments.
02:27 Nevertheless, her remarkable body of work and enduring charm continue to inspire and
02:33 captivate audiences, making her an immortal icon in the history of Indian cinema.
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