Shyama

Shyama (born Khurshid Akhtar; 7 June 1935, Lahore—November 14, 2017) is a former Bollywood actress.

Her best known roles were in Aar Paar (1954), Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) and Tarana.

She was also noticed in Sawan Bhadon, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Milan and Sharda, for which she was awarded the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Like Shammi Kapoor among male actors, she is the actress who has been most responsive to the rhythm and lyrics of the music directors and poets. Songs picturised on her such as "Ae dil mujhe bata de", "O chand jahan wo jaye", "Ae lo main hari piya", "Dekho, wo chand chhup ke karata hai kya ishare", "Chhupa ke meri aankhon ko" and "Ja re ka re badara" are examples of her sensitive acting.

Director Vijay Bhatt gave her the stage name Shyama, by which she is credited in her movies. She had starring roles in Guru Dutt's classic Aar Paar, and later in Barsaat Ki Raat, which was perhaps her best performance. She was a major star in the 1950s and 1960s and acted in more than 200 movies, many in starring roles.

Personal life

She was married to cinematographer Fali Mistry in 1953, and the couple had two sons, Farooq and Rohin and a daughter Shirrin. Mistry died in 1979, thereafter she continued to stay in Mumbai.

Selected filmography

• Payal Ki Jhankar (1980)
• Khel Khilari Ka (1977) - Mrs. Khairatilal
• Khel Khel Mein (1975)
• Sewak (1975)
• Ajanabee (1974)
• Naya Din Nayi Raat (1974) - Brothel Madame
• Honeymoon (1973) - Laxmi Choudhary

• Prabhat (1973) - Champabai
• Suraj Aur Chanda (1973)
• Gomti Ke Kinare (1972)
• Shaadi Ke Baad (1972) - Basanti's mother
• Zindagi Zindagi (1972) - Meeta's chachi (aunt)
• Kangan (1971)
• Sawan Bhadon (1970)
• Mastana (1970) - Mrs. Dhanraj
• Beti (1969) - Kamla Verma
• Aag (1967)
• Milan (1967)
• Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966) - Mala
• Janwar (1965) - Seema
• Ji Chahta Hai (1964)
• Bahurani (1963) - Nautch girl
• Ghar Basake Dekho (1963)
• Zabak (1961)
• Barsaat Ki Raat (1960) - Shama
• Apna Ghar (1960)
• Duniya Jhukti Hai (1960)
• Chhoti Bahen (1959) - Shobha
• Chandan (1958) Bus Conductor (1959) Asha Devi
• Lala Rukh (1958)
• Panchayat (1958)
• Taqdeer (1958)
• Bandi (1957) - Shankar's Wife
• Bhabhi (1957) - Tara
• Hill Station (1957)
• Johnny Walker (1957)
• Mai Baap (1957)
• Mirza Sahiban (1957) - Sahiban
• Sharada (1957) - Chanchal ..... Won, Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award
• Suvarna Sundari (1957)
• Bhai-Bhai (1956)
• Chhoo Mantar (1956) - Sawli
• Makkhee Choos (1956)
• Bhagwat Mahima (1955)
• Khandaan (1955)
• Musafirkhana (1955)
• Aar Paar (1954) - Nikki
• Darwaza (1954)
• Dhoop Chhaon (1954)
• Laadla (1954)
• Majboori (1954)
• Pensioner (1954)
• Pilpili Saheb (1954)
• Savdhan (1954)
• Shart (1954)
• Char Chand (1953)
• Dil-E-Nadan (1953)
• Shyama (1953)
• Suhag Sindoor (1953)
• Thokar (1953)
• Aasmaan (1952)
• Shrimati Ji (1952)
• Sazaa (1951) - Kamini
• Tarana (1951) - Sheela
• Dolti Naiya (1950)
• Jan Pahchan (1950)
• Nili (1950)
• Nishana (1950)
• Naach (1949)
• Patanga (1949)
• Roop Lekha (1949)
• Shabnam (1949)
• Shair (1949)
• Zeenat (1945)