Bela Bose

Biography

Bela Bose (18 April 1941 – 20 February 2023) was an Indian dancer and actress known for her work in Hindi films during the 1960s and 1970s.

Early Life

Bela Bose was born in Kolkata on 18 April 1941 into a well-to-do family. Her father was a cloth merchant, and her mother was a homemaker. After a bank crash wiped out the family's fortune, they moved to Mumbai in 1951.

While still in school, she began working as a group dancer in films to support her family following her father’s death in a road accident. She continued acting in films after completing her education.

Career

Bela Bose started receiving independent screen credit in the late 1950s. Her breakthrough came when she performed a dance number with Raj Kapoor in Main Nashe Mein Hoon (1959).

At the age of 21, she played her first leading role in Sautela Bhai (1962) opposite Guru Dutt. She also refined her acting skills through performances in Bengali theatre.

Over her career, she appeared in more than 150 films. Some of her notable works include Bandini (1963), directed by Bimal Roy, Professor (1962), and Amrapali. She also featured in films such as Shikar, Umang, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Dil Aur Mohabbat, Zindagi Aur Maut, and Wahan Ke Log.

She was frequently cast in vamp roles. Despite her on-screen image, she was personally conservative and reportedly declined certain roles that required wearing a swimsuit.

Later in her career, she transitioned into character roles, notably portraying a villainous sister-in-law in Jai Santoshi Maa.

Personal Life

She married actor Ashish Kumar in 1967. After the birth of their daughter and son, she gradually stepped away from acting.

Death

Bela Bose passed away on 20 February 2023 at the age of 79.