Farida jalal

 Farida Jalal, a name synonymous with grace and versatility in Indian cinema, has been a prominent figure in the industry for over five decades and done films like Takdeer, Aradhana, Paras, Majboor, Henna, DDLJ and Mammo.

Born on 14 March 1949 in New Delhi, India, Jalal's journey in the world of acting began at a young age when she won the United Film Producers Talent Hunt sponsored by Filmfare in 1965 alongside Rajesh Khanna.

Farida made her acting debut as a child actor from Chaudhvin ka Chand(1960). in Her debut came with the 1967 film "Taqdeer," where she played a supporting role. It was followed by Baharon ki Manzil(1968) , Puraskar(1969) with Joy Mukherjee, Mahal (1969) with Dev Anand. However, it was her performance in "Aradhana" (1969) alongside Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore that brought her widespread recognition. The evergreen song 'Bhagon Mein Bahar Hai, Kaliyon Pe Nikhar Hai...'. was picturized on her. She got nominatedfor Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the role.

Early in career she played the role of Dilip Kumar's sister in Gopi(1970) which led to every top actor wanting her as his sister. In 1971 came Paras, where she played the sister of Sanjeev kumar which earn her Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress and Bengal Film Journalists Association Award for Best Supporting Actress.

She won her second Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for 1974 movie Majboor, where she played the disabled sister of Amitabh Bachchan. Some of her famous films of that era were Amar Prem, Rivaaj, Bobby, Loafer, Uljhan, Khushboo, Dharmatma, Kaala Sona, Aakraman and Sabse Bada Rupaiya.

In 1976 she got another Filmfare Best Supporting Actress nomination for Shaque starring Vinod Khanna, Shabana Azmi and Utpal Dutt. In 1977 she played neglected wife Nafisa of Mir Roshan Ali played by Saeed Jaffery in Satyajit Ray's classic "Shatranj Ke Khiladi", a period drama based on thge story of Premchand. She again nominated Filmfare Best Supporting Actress for Amitabh, Raakhee and Vinod Mehra starrer Jurmana (1979 film).

Throughout 1990s, Jalal played significant roles in several major films, starting from playing the mother of Zeba Baktoyar's mother in Henna(1991) for which she got another Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. 

In 1994 she played the understaning mother of Kajol in iconic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge. for her sensitive portrayel of the character she earned another Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1996.

Few of her other major films are Gardish, Laadla, Krantiveer, Raja Hindustani, Dil To Pagal Hai, Duplicate, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai, Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Gaja Gamini.

Farida Jalal took on the lead role in the film Mammo(1994) directed by Shyam Benegal and written by Khalid Mohammad, which not only earned the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi but also secured Jalal the Filmfare Award for Best Actress (Critics). She reprised her character of Mammo in Shyam Bengal's Zubaidaa (2001), the last film of Khalid Mohammad's trilogy(Mammo, Sardari Begum and Zubeidaa).

Jalal's filmography is vast, spanning over 200 films in Hindi and other regional languages. She has played everything from lead roles to supporting characters. Her performances have often been lauded for their authenticity and emotional depth.

Jalal made her television debut with Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi(1984) followed by cult classic "Dekh Bhai Dekh"(1993–1994), The Great Maratha, and Junoon. Her role in the TV series "Shararat" made her populer among kids and won her Indian Television Academy Awards for best actress. 

Farida was married to Tabrez Barmavar till his death in 2003, she has a son, Yaseen Barmavar and lived with him.

Farida Jalal's life and work remain an inspiration to many aspiring actors. Her dedication to her craft and her ability to continually reinvent herself are what make her a true icon of Indian cinema.