WOMEN ON TOP-FIRST LADIES OF BOLLYWOOD.

India’s first Oscar winner, costume designer Bhanu Athaiya is often remembered now and again for her feat in a category that unfortunately does not yet exist in the awards given out for achievements in Indian cinema.

Here are some Divas of Bollywood, first in their league, who set the standard for others to follow.

Devika Rani- Prima Donna, First lady of Indian cinema. First recipient of Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1970, earlier awarded Padma Shri in 1958. Student of London’s Royal Academy of drama and music. Apprentice to Elizabeth Arden, she was educated in architecture, textile, design décor. Heroine of the 1930’s, yet, way ahead of her times. Shocked prudes with first ever lip lock on screen that ran a record 4 minutes, in the movie Karma, which could put Mallika Sherawat to shame. Set up Bombay Talkies, which gave us the brilliant discovery- Dilip Kumar. This ban ki chidiya was given full state honours on her death in 1994.

Fatima Begum-Bollywood’s first lady director. An Urdu stage artist from Surat,she entered the film line with her debut in acting in Veer Abhimanyu,1922.Within four years went on to venture in writing ,producing ,directing films. Launched her own production house-Fatima films and directed Bulbul –e-Paristan.Shone on the sepia screen with her extremely fair screen, dark make up and fancy wigs. Though her marriage to the then Nawab of Sachin stood disputed in court, she followed her own dreams and paved a path to super success. All her three daughters, Zubeida, Sultan and Shazadi were superstars too.

Zubeida- Legendary actress, stunning beauty; this princess of Sachin, debuted at the mere age of 12. Talented at singing and dancing, she possessed an impeccable gift of speech. Female lead for India’s first talkie-Alam Ara, Prithviraj Raj Kapoor played a supporting actor in it. Her box-office bonanzas jingled cash counters. Highest paid actor of her times. She set the screen afire, portraying characters which ranged from a courtesan to mythological ones. Successive hits include Balidaan based on Tagore’s Sacrifice. Rocked as the circus gal of, ‘Zarina’ whose steamy scenes sent censors in a tizzy.

Nadia- The fearless. India’s first stuntwoman, The Hunterwali, was an Australian- born Mary Ann Evans. Introduced to Bollywood via Wadia Movietone, she broke the belief that heroines should be docile stereotypes, wore figure hugging clothes, knee high boots. Bringing baddies to book by jumping horse carts, fencing with villains, running on train tops, swinging atop chandeliers, performed all her dangerous stunts .This whip brandishing ,bold superwoman, who was queen of tongawallahs and paanwallahs set trends of Hunterwali bags, bangles and chappals,nevertheless.

Usha Khanna-Bollywood’s only established female music director. At sweet sixteen, she composed her own songs without being formally trained in music. Made a grand debut 1959 with ‘Dil Deke Dekho’ and set rumours rife that it was just a publicity stunt and someone else was actually composing the music.50 years in the industry, she still composes tunes for television serials and music videos. Her tune in ‘Har nazar ke sau afsaane’ inspired A R Rahman for ‘Latka dikha diya ‘.Known to promote new talent, Sonu Nigam, Pankaj Udhas, Roop Kumar Rathod,to name a few.

Tun Tun-Christened thus, by Dilip Kumar, this roly poly comedian’s mere presence set off laugh a riot spells.While other actresses starved themselves, Tun Tun constantly ate from her ‘dabba’ on the sets, claiming,’I have to maintain my weight. Born Uma Devi and orphaned as a child, she had a natural funny flair but was a singer by choice. She was introduced to many music directors by Govinda’s parents Arun and Nirmala Devi Ahuja.Her childhood dream to sing for Naushad came true with the chartbuster,’Afsaana likh rahi hoon’,later on his advice she switched to acting.

Nadira-Although Kajol was the first actress to receive an award for a negative role, Bollywood’s original vamp was born with Farhat Ezekiel Nadira.Femme fatale Maya in Shri 420.While Kuldeep Kaur(Anarkali), Manorama, and Shashikala played baddies who troubled the heroines, haughty Nadira made life living hell even for spouses, as the haughty bold savage princess in Aan, jealous wife in Dil apnaa aur preet parai.An established baddie against chaste heroines,she was amongst the first Indian actors to own a Rolls Royce.

Persis Khambatta-Zeenat Aman is considered the first lady in Bollywood to crossover from winning a beauty paegent to acting.Before her, it was Persis Khambatta-India’s bald and beautiful-‘you fascinate me ‘gal, who scored big in Hollywood in spite of not making waves back home. In 1979, she presented an academy award, something that no other citizen of India has been invited to do yet. Breathtaking beauty as llia of Star Trek, she went on to star in Nighthawks, Megaforce, and Warriors of the lost world. Said to have refused to strip for films or Playboy magazine, this Indian hottie dies a controversial, untimely death.

Daisy & Honey Irani-Acting for these balikas, was no kid stuff. Daisy and sister Honey Irani were cherubic charmers, who fetched biggest openings during the golden years of cinema. They were household names as favourite child artists. Roles were specially written to fit them in, films promoted on their basis.Daisy continued to work in the industry for more than 35 films. Honey went on to write successful scripts. She was once married to Javed Akhtar and is the mother of Zoya and Farhan Akhtar.

Sharmila Tagore-Kareena Kapoor took to Tashan and melted down to size zero for impact in a bikini. But, it was beau Saif Ali Khan’s mommy dearest who first sizzled on Indian screen in an itsy bitsy, teeny weenie, bikini. Tagore who began her career with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar and stole many hearts as the Kashmir ki kali, ended the age of innocence with an Evening in Paris. This put the established actress on the list of Indian Cinema’s hottest heroines forever.