Jackie Shroff wishes Mala Sinha on her 90th birthday with vintage tribute
Synopsis
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff's warm birthday tribute to Mala Sinha on her 90th is more than a social media post — it's a rare spotlight on one of Hindi cinema's most versatile heroines, who starred opposite Dev Anand and appeared in Guru Dutt's 'Pyaasa', yet is rarely remembered with the fanfare her four-decade career deserves.
Key Takeaways
Mala Sinha turned 90 on 11 November 2026 , born Alda Sinha in Kolkata in 1936 .
Jackie Shroff posted a vintage photograph with 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mein' from her 1961 film 'Maya' as a birthday tribute.
Mala Sinha's career spanned over four decades across Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali cinema.
She rose to fame with Guru Dutt's 'Pyaasa' ( 1957 ) and starred in classics including 'Anpadh' , 'Gumrah' , and 'Himalay Ki God Mein' .
Her daughter Pratibha Sinha is known for the 'Pardesi Pardesi' song in 'Raja Hindustani' ( 1996 ).
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff marked veteran actress Mala Sinha's 90th birthday on 11 November 2026 with a heartfelt social media post featuring a classic photograph of the legendary star. The tribute, captioned with a simple 'Warm Wishes!', brought renewed attention to one of Hindi cinema's most celebrated careers.
The Birthday Post
Jackie shared a timeless image of Mala Sinha dressed in a traditional sari and jewellery, her hair styled in the signature look of the retro era. Accompanying the visual was the iconic song 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mein' — sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi — from Mala Sinha's 1961 film 'Maya', in which she starred opposite Dev Anand.
A Career Spanning Four Decades
Born Alda Sinha on 11 November 1936 in Kolkata, Mala Sinha began her journey in cinema as a child artiste before rising to become one of the foremost leading ladies of her generation. Her career spanned more than four decades and extended across Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali cinema.
She first came to national prominence with Guru Dutt's landmark film 'Pyaasa' in 1957, playing the role of Meena. A string of memorable films followed — including 'Phir Subah Hogi', 'Dhool Ka Phool', 'Anpadh', 'Gumrah', 'Jahan Ara', 'Himalay Ki God Mein', 'Aasra', 'Aankhen', and 'Do Kaliyan' — cementing her place in the golden age of Hindi cinema. Among her most beloved songs are 'Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha' from 'Anpadh' and 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mein' from 'Maya'.
Personal Life and Family Legacy
On the personal front, Mala Sinha married Nepali actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani in 1966, having met him during the production of the Nepali film 'Maitighar'. The couple's daughter, Pratibha Sinha, also pursued a career in Hindi films through the 1990s, making her Bollywood debut with 'Mehboob Mere Mehboob' in 1992.
Pratibha appeared in several productions including 'Kal Ki Awaz', 'Dil Hai Betaab', 'Ek Tha Raja', 'Tu Chor Main Sipahi', 'Gudgudee', 'Deewana Mastana', and 'Le Chal Apne Sang'. She is perhaps best remembered for her fleeting but memorable appearance in the iconic song 'Pardesi Pardesi' from the 1996 blockbuster 'Raja Hindustani', which earned her the enduring tag of the 'Pardesi girl'.
A Living Legend at 90
Mala Sinha's milestone birthday serves as a reminder of an era when actresses carried entire films on the strength of their screen presence alone. At 90, she remains a touchstone of classical Indian cinema, with her work continuing to resonate with new generations through streaming platforms and film retrospectives. Jackie Shroff's tribute is one of several that poured in from the film fraternity on this occasion.
Point of View
Acknowledged by Jackie Shroff's quiet social media post, underscores a persistent gap in how Hindi cinema celebrates its own history — golden-era actresses rarely receive the institutional retrospectives or lifetime tributes that their male contemporaries command. Her work in 'Pyaasa' alone would have secured her legacy, yet she remains largely absent from curated cinema conversations today. The tribute is well-meaning, but the film industry's memory for its women tends to be short. At 90, Mala Sinha's career is an archive waiting for a proper reckoning.
NationPress
11 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Mala Sinha and when is her birthday?
Mala Sinha turned 90 on 11 November 2026. She was born Alda Sinha on 11 November 1936 in Kolkata.
Which films is Mala Sinha best known for?
Mala Sinha is best known for her roles in Guru Dutt's 'Pyaasa' (1957), 'Anpadh', 'Gumrah', 'Himalay Ki God Mein', and 'Maya' (1961), among many others. Her iconic songs include 'Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha' and 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mein'.
Why did Jackie Shroff wish Mala Sinha?
Jackie Shroff shared a vintage photograph of Mala Sinha on social media to mark her 90th birthday, captioning it with 'Warm Wishes!' and pairing it with her classic song 'Tasveer Teri Dil Mein' from the 1961 film 'Maya'.
Who is Pratibha Sinha?
Pratibha Sinha is Mala Sinha's daughter, who appeared in Hindi films during the 1990s. She is best remembered for her appearance in the iconic 'Pardesi Pardesi' song from the 1996 film 'Raja Hindustani', earning her the tag of the 'Pardesi girl'.
What languages did Mala Sinha work in during her career?
Mala Sinha worked across Hindi, Bengali, and Nepali cinema over a career spanning more than four decades. She met her husband, Nepali actor Chidambar Prasad Lohani, during the making of the Nepali film 'Maitighar'.
