Background
She started her career as a schoolgirl as a group dancer in films to help support her family after her father"s death.
She started her career as a schoolgirl as a group dancer in films to help support her family after her father"s death.
She picked up more films after she finished her schooling.
She was one of the popular dancers in Hindi cinema along with Helen and Aruna Irani. Most of her roles were as glamorous dancers. Her first role was in Sautela Bhai (1962) opposite Guru Dutt at age 17.
She honed her acting skills performing in Bengali plays.
Her career consisted of more than 150 films. Her peak period was between 1961 and 1966.
In Hawa Mahal (1962), she played the role of Helen"s sister. Some of her roles were in Bimal Roy"s Bandini (1963), F.C. Mehra"s Professor and Amrapali, Atmaram"s Shikar, Umang, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Dil Aur Mohabbat, Zindagi Aur Maut and Wahan Ke Log.
Later, she became a character actress and enjoyed her biggest success playing the villainous sister-in-law in the 1975 blockbuster Jai Santoshi Maa.
Her real-life husband Ashish Kumar was the leading man in the hit film. Of all her films, her favorite roles were as Jeetendra"s foster sister in Jeene Ki Raah (1969), followed by another film More Manitoba Mitwa.