Who Is Suraiya? Age, Biography, and Wiki
In 2025, Suraiya would have been 96 years old, had she been alive. She was born in Lahore (now in Pakistan) and emerged as one of the leading actresses of her time, known for her roles in films such as "Tadbir" and "Anmol Ghadi." Suraiya's distinctive voice made her one of the most sought-after playback singers in Hindi cinema during the 1940s and 1950s. She was not only an icon of her era but also an enduring symbol of timeless beauty and talent.
| Occupation | Musicians |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | June 15, 1929 |
| Age | 74 Years |
| Birth Place | Lahore, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Horoscope | Gemini |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Date of death | 31 January, 2004 |
| Died Place | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
Popularity
Suraiya's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Suraiya stood at approximately 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and had a graceful appearance that complemented her singing and acting prowess. While specific weight measurements are not documented in historical records, it is widely acknowledged that she maintained a slender physique typical of leading actresses in her day.
On her films and roles, Suraiya stated: "Most of my roles were simple, but the audiences loved them.
I was lucky to have got simple, melodious and easy to pick up songs to sing, and work with the best composers of the day like Naushad, Husnlal-Bhagatram and Anil Biswas." Post the release of her film Bari Behen (1949), Suraiya stopped attending film premieres.
Suraiya said, "When I went for the premiere of the movie, there was such a big crowd outside! As I walked into the theatre, they pulled at my clothes. There was a lathi charge and people were injured.
I stopped going for premieres thereafter." Suraiya was known to be the most popular actress in the early years of Independence and was known for her female characters that "stood shoulder-to-shoulder" with their male counterparts. T. J. S. George stated in The Life and Times of Nargis that, Suraiya ruled "unchallenged" post partition.
In his book Bollywood's Top 20 Superstars of Indian Cinema, Niranjan Iyengar wrote about her and noted: "Suraiya had become a national rage post her success in 1948-1949. Her glamour was hailed by film scribes as comparable to actresses Rita Hayworth, Lana Turner and Ava Gardner".
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Suraiya's romantic life was often the subject of public curiosity. She was known to have a brief relationship with Bollywood superstar Dev Anand, which garnered significant media attention. However, the relationship did not culminate in marriage, and Suraiya opted to remain single for the majority of her life. She had a close-knit family, and her personal connections were integral to her life and career.
While she was singing for children's programs for All India Radio (AIR) in Bombay, as a six-year old, Raj Kapoor and Madan Mohan were her co-artists. In fact, they first introduced her to AIR. Both were associated with her later as an adult, as her hero and as her music director respectively in films.
At AIR, Zulfiqar Ali Bukhari was at that time the station director at the Bombay radio station. As soon as music director Naushad Ali heard Suraiya's voice, he chose her to sing (at age 13) for Mehtab in Abdul Rashid Kardar's film Sharda (1942). He became Suraiya's mentor and she sang some of the best songs of her career under his baton.
Later, he gave a string of hit songs when Suraiya became a full-fledged singing star in Anmol Ghadi (1946), Dard (1947), Dillagi (1949) and Dastaan (1950). As a child artist, Suraiya acted and also sang in the films, Usne Kya Socha (1937), Mother India (1938), Tamanna (1942), and Station Master (1942).
Net Worth and Salary
Suraiya was one of the highest-paid actresses of her time, although exact figures for her net worth at the time of her passing in 2004 are difficult to ascertain. Estimates suggest that her financial earnings from acting and playback singing allowed her to lead a comfortable lifestyle. In 2025, Suraiya's legacy continues to inspire generations, and her contributions to Indian cinema remain invaluable.
Career, Business, and Investments
Suraiya made her film debut in the late 1940s and quickly rose to stardom. Her career boasts an impressive catalog of films and songs, establishing her as a pioneering figure in the industry. Beyond her film career, she was known to have invested in various local businesses, though specific investments are not well-documented. Suraiya's legacy would ultimately influence future generations of aspiring artists.
Suraiya Jamal Sheikh (15 June 1929 – 31 January 2004), mononymously known as Suraiya, was an Indian actress and playback singer who worked in Hindi films. In a career spanning from 1936 to 1964, Suraiya acted in over 70 films and sang 338 songs.
Regarded among the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, she was known for her strong on-screen portrayals in a variety of genres. Suraiya was the most celebrated actress between the mid- to late 1940s and early 1950s and was paid more than her male counterparts.
Social Network
While Suraiya did not have social media during her lifetime, it is evident that her contributions continue to resonate with fans, followers, and historians alike, particularly on platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. Many fan pages and groups celebrate her music and films, keeping her memory alive in the digital age.
The films Jag Biti and 1857 were Suraiya's first two releases of the year 1946. In 1857, that was set against the backdrop of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, she played Tasnim opposite Surendra. Suraiya then acted as the second lead in Mehboob Khan's Anmol Ghadi (1946) with Noor Jehan as the lead with Surendra.
She played a willful village girl Basanti. Praising her performance in Anmol Ghadi, Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com noted: "True to her name Basanti, Suraiya wafts through the film like a rejuvenating spring breeze. She is achingly young and full of beans." Despite Jehan's presence, the film proved to be a major breakthrough for Suraiya.
She then reunited with K. L. Saigal in Omar Khaiyyam, playing Mehru. 1857, Anmol Ghadi and Omar Khaiyyam emerged among the year's highest grossing releases and consolidated Suraiya's career.
Education
Suraiya pursued her education in Lahore and later in Mumbai, where she honed her acting and singing skills. Though specific schools or institutions attended are not documented, her early exposure to artistic expressions and the music industry played a significant role in shaping her successful career.
Suraiya belonged to a deeply religious Muslim family. She attended New High School, now known as J.B. Petit High School for Girls, in the Fort district of Bombay. At home, her grandmother gave her religious teachings in Persian.
Suraiya's childhood friends included Raj Kapoor and Madan Mohan, with whom she used to sing in children's radio programmes at All India Radio. Suraiya did not have any professional training in music.
