Reena Roy was a renowned Bollywood actress who reigned supreme from 1972 to 1985. Born to a broken home, where her Muslim father and Hindu mother divorced after having four children, Reena was their third child. She began her film career in her early teens, starting with B.R. Ishara's "Nayi Duniya Naye Log" (1973) alongside newcomer Danny Denzongpa, which was temporarily shelved. However, the film "Zaroorat" (1972) with Vijay Arora and Danny Denzongpa became a hit, earning her the nickname "Zaroorat Girl."
Reena's early career saw her in films like "Jangal Mein Mangal," "Rani Aur Lalpari," "Madhosh," "Goonj," and "Umar Qaid," but it was the mid-1970s that brought her success with "Zakhmee" (1975) and "Kalicharan" (1976). The latter, directed by Subhash Ghai, became a surprise hit, and Reena's pairing with Shatrugan Sinha, a villainous actor, earned her recognition.
Reena's chemistry with Jeetendra in films like "Badaltey Rishtey" (1978) and "Pyaasa Sawan" (1982) catapulted her to stardom. She also paired with Sunil Dutt, delivering hits like "Nagin" (1976),for which she received her first Filmfare nomination. Her screen image as a sacrificing symbol of Indian womanhood was glorified in "Arpan" (1983).
In the 1980s, Reena worked with top directors like Prakash Mehra, Raj Khosla, and Sultan Ahmad, securing critical roles in films like "Dhanwan" (1981),"Naukar Biwi Ka" (1983),and "Jail Yatra" (1981). Her off-screen relationship with Shatrugan Sinha ended by 1979, and she eventually married Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in 1983.
Reena's dream of working with Kaka and Shashi Kapoor came true in the 1980s, and she concentrated on her career, becoming the highest-paid actress from 1981-85. She delivered hits like "Prem Tapasya" (1983),"Asha Jyoti" (1984),and "Ladies Tailor" (1981),and her characters became more versatile, showcasing her dancing skills.
At the peak of her popularity, Reena explored female-oriented films, enacting roles in "Sau Din Saas Ke" (1980),"Bezubaan" (1982),and "Lakshmi" (1982). However, her commercial failure in "Lakshmi" led her to focus on her personal life, and she eventually quit films to marry Mohsin Khan.
Reena's last shooting took place in 1984 for films like "Asha Jyoti" and "Hum Dono." Her swan song was "Inteha" (1984),a tragedy where she is raped by Raj Babbar. Reena made a comeback in 1993, acting in films like "Aadmi Khilona Hai" and eventually opened an acting school with her sister Barkha in 2004.
