Meena Kumari, born Mahjabeen Bano in 1933, became one of Hindi cinema's most iconic actresses, earning the title 'Tragedy Queen' for her poignant performances in films like Baiju Bawra, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, and Pakeezah. Despite achieving fame in the 1950s and 60s, her personal life was marred by struggles, particularly her controlling marriage to filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, who banned her from signing new films and restricted her movements. This tumultuous relationship led to her reliance on alcohol to cope with insomnia, ultimately resulting in liver cirrhosis. Kumari completed her long-awaited film, Pakeezah, in 1972, but her health deteriorated quickly afterward. She passed away on March 31, 1972, just weeks after the film's release, leaving behind a profound legacy that continues to resonate in Hindi cinema. Her life story reflects both the glamour and the tragedy of the film industry, as she was buried quietly with her debts unpaid, while Amrohi, who profited from her work, was absent at her death.