Manorama, a renowned Hindi actress, has had a remarkable career spanning nearly 100 movies. Born Erin Issac Daniels, she was a unique blend of Irish and Indian heritage, with an Irish mother and an Indian Christian father. Her journey in the film industry began in 1926 as a child artist in Lahore, under the pseudonym Baby Iris.
As she grew older, Manorama made her debut as an adult actress in 1941, marking the beginning of a long and illustrious career. Her first adult role was in the film Khazanchi (1941),where she adopted the screen name Manorama, courtesy of Shoery. She quickly gained popularity as a successful and highly paid actress in Lahore, earning the respect of her peers and critics alike.
However, after the partition of India, Manorama shifted her base to Mumbai, where she faced new challenges and opportunities. It was during this period that she was recommended by actor Chandramohan to several producers, leading to her breakthrough roles in films such as Lachchi, a super-hit Punjabi film, and Ghar Ki Izzat (1948),where she played the role of Dilip Kumar's sister.
Manorama's personal life was marked by a tumultuous marriage to actor Rajan Haksar, which ultimately ended in divorce. After her divorce, she transitioned to character roles, followed by villainous and comedienne roles. In the latter part of her career, she shifted her focus to television serials, working on several series in Delhi for five years.
Manorama's final film was Deepa Mehta's critically acclaimed Water (2005),where she delivered a mesmerizing performance that earned her praise from Hollywood critics. Throughout her 60-year-long career, Manorama has left an indelible mark on the Indian film industry, inspiring generations of actors and actresses to follow in her footsteps.
