Reena Roy, a celebrated and accomplished leading lady of Hindi cinema, enjoyed a remarkable career that lasted from 1972 to 1985, leaving an indelible mark on the industry.
Born into a complex family dynamic, with a Muslim father and a Hindu mother who ultimately parted ways after having four children together, Reena was their third child.
Despite the challenges that came with being raised in a broken home, Reena began her journey in the film industry at a remarkably young age, commencing her acting career in her early teens.
Reena Roy's entry into the film industry was marked by her initial venture, B.R. Ishara's 1973 production "Nayi Duniya Naye Log", which saw her share the screen with newcomer Danny Denzongpa. Although this film was temporarily put on the backburner, she didn't have to wait long for her next opportunity. In fact, her subsequent outing, "Zaroorat" (1972),proved to be a major turning point in her career, as she starred alongside Vijay Arora in this highly successful film. This notable success earned her the moniker "Zaroorat Girl", a nickname that would stick with her as she continued to make a name for herself in the industry. Reena's next significant role came with Jaise Ko Taisa (1973),a film that would forever be etched in the minds of her fans due to its iconic rain-soaked dance sequence with the charismatic Jeetendra.
Reena's cinematic journey traversed the 1970s, marked by a diverse array of film credits, including Jangal Mein Mangal, Rani Aur Lalpari, Madhosh, Goonj, and Umar Qaid, although the majority of these endeavors did not leave a profound or lasting impression on the industry.
However, her portrayals in Zakhmee, released in 1975, and Kalicharan, which hit the screens in 1976, garnered her considerable recognition among both directors and audiences, serving as a pivotal moment in her career, as her talent and versatility began to resonate with a wider audience.
At the outset, there was a prevailing sentiment of skepticism surrounding Kalicharan, a cinematic endeavor that marked the directorial debut of the renowned filmmaker Subhash Ghai, coupled with the intriguing transformation of Shatrugan Sinha from a formidable villain to a leading man. Despite these uncertain circumstances, the film astonishingly defied expectations and emerged as a resounding success, with Reena's captivating performance garnering widespread recognition and acclaim alongside Shatrugan Sinha. This unexpected triumph led to a fruitful collaboration between the duo, as they went on to sign multiple films together, in addition to sharing the screen with the equally popular and revered actor Sunil Dutt, whose own appeal with audiences was undeniable.
The remarkable success of Zakhmee and Kalicharan paved the way for Reena's star-studded vehicle, Nagin, released in 1976, in which she embodied the captivating and deadly persona of the titular character, a Nagin, driven by a burning desire for vengeance after the tragic demise of her beloved. With calculated precision and ruthless determination, she embarked on a killing spree, mercilessly eliminating five prominent male stars, each representing a different aspect of her lover's life. This cinematic masterpiece resonated deeply with audiences, earning Reena her first Filmfare nomination for Best Actress, solidifying her position as one of the leading ladies in Hindi cinema, and cementing her status as a household name.
Raj Kumar Kohli, a renowned filmmaker, embarked on a fruitful creative journey by partnering with Reena, resulting in the production of numerous spectacular multi-starer blockbusters that left an indelible mark on the cinematic landscape.
