Rajmata

QAMYAB – THE FORGOTTEN GEMS OF BOLLYWOOD

Qamyab is our humble tribute to all those lesser-known actors, one hit wonders and junior artists who we see umpteen times but don’t know about; beyond their faces. These actors have been an integral part of Bollywood but didn’t get their due. This series is our sincere attempt to put a name to these faces, familiarize them to our readers and celebrate their achievements in life – however big or small. We believe that every artist contributes in his/her own way to the cinema’s success. Qamyab will explore the unknown lives of such actors and artists as we believe even these forgotten gems of Bollywood deserve their due recognition today.

Recently there was a buzz on the veteran actress Smriti Biswas, who was lucky enough to turn centenarian. Sadly, few months after her 100th birthday, Smriti Biswas left for her heavenly adobe on 3rd July, 2024.

A decade before Smriti Biswas, another Bollywood actress crossed the century mark. She was the beautiful Zohra Sehgal, who celebrated her 100th birthday in 2012 and passed away at the age of 102 years on 10th July, 2014.

Much before Smriti Biswas and Zohra Sehgal, one more actress had turned centenarian and was at one point, the oldest living Bollywood actress. This might make you wonder who she is. Well, this actress was Rajmata. Hope our readers recollect her as most of the films featuring her, never mentioned her name in their credit titles.

To give a brief introduction on Rajmata, she has worked in Hindi films from mid-40s to the mid-90s. You may recollect the very old lady in between the crowd of extras and junior artists. Yes, that was Rajmata. Her life journey wasn’t easy. She had to face lot of hardships for survival and we shall delve in to her life today.

Rajmata was born in Indore in 1890, which was fifty-seven years before India got Independence; so, she got to see the British India as well as the developing India post freedom. In 1902, at the age of just twelve, Rajmata’s parents got her married as child marriages were common in those days.

Rajmata’s husband ran a sweet shop in Indore and they had four children: three sons and one daughter. Unfortunately, her husband passed away in 1939 and after a family dispute, Rajmata shifted to Bombay (now Mumbai) and started living with her daughter.

In order to support her family, Rajmata started a puri bhaji thela (street food stall). But it wasn’t giving her adequate income. Later, she shifted with her daughter to Versova, a Mumbai suburb. Unlike today, Versova was then a jungle surrounded with mangroves and creeks. Rajmata and her daughter settled in a chawl there, which was adjacent to the famous Mohan Studio. Rajmata would regularly visit the studio to watch the shootings.

Lady Luck smiled at her in 1946, when she entered Mohan studio one day, where the shooting of Chamakti Bijli (1946) was in progress. This film had Ruby Mayers (Sulochana) playing the lead and was directed by Master Homi. On that particular day, the production needed around hundred junior artists for a certain scene. Thus, everyone standing the crowd was asked to participate and Rajmata got her first film. Her journey as a junior artist in Bollywood commenced…

Rajmata was paid five rupees for the day shoot, which was a big sum for that time. Definitely more than what she earned from her food stall. Naturally, she started visiting the studio regularly and would get cast as a junior artist in the crowd scene.

This continued for years and decades and Rajmata would feature in the huge crowd; sometimes not even visible in the frame. Sadly, she didn’t even have a junior artist card for the longest time.

It was only in 1970 when things changed for her. Rajmata was in Kashmir shooting for Daraar (1972). A particular temple scene revolved around her with bombs going off and she ran off bravely. Producer Shanti Sagar was so happy with her performance that he gave her screen name Rajmata instead of her actual name Maniben. The name Rajmata stuck to her right till the end and no one recollects her real name Maniben now. She is Rajmata for everyone.

After Daraar, Rajmata continued her junior artist journey. Her most notable role came in Mr. Natwarlal (1979), where she played an old village lady living at the mercy of the evil villain played by Amjad Khan. In almost her movies, Rajmata remained uncredited and frankly, she didn’t even mind it. She was doing extra roles and earning money. That’s all that mattered to her.

Rajmata appeared in many movies, which include Shor (1972), Do Yaar (1972), Namak Haram (1973), Ajnabee (1974), Zameer (1974), Mausam (1975), Ginny Aur Johnny (1976), Chacha Bhatija (1977), Azaad (1977), Kaalia (1981), Boxer (1984), Dacait (1987), Shahenshah (1988), Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988), Gangaa Jamunaa Saraswathi (1988), Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Patthar Ke Phool (1991) and many more.