Nirupa Roy

Nirupa Roy was a celebrated Indian actress best remembered for her emotional performances as a mother in Hindi cinema. Born on 4 January 1931 in Valsad, Gujarat, she began her acting career with the Gujarati film Ranakdevi in 1946. She later established herself in Hindi cinema through films such as Gunsundari, Har Har Mahadev and Do Bigha Zamin.
Initially appearing as a leading actress, Nirupa became widely recognised for portraying mythological characters, including Hindu goddesses. During the 1970s and 1980s, she gained immense popularity for playing devoted and suffering mothers, particularly in films featuring Amitabh Bachchan.
Her memorable performances in Deewaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar and Suhaag made her one of Indian cinema’s most recognisable screen mothers. Often called the “Queen of Misery”, she built a remarkable career spanning several decades.
Throughout her career, she received three Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Awards and was honoured with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Nirupa Roy passed away on 13 October 2004 in Mumbai at the age of 73, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Indian cinema.