Reena Roy wasn't just another face in the crowd. She was a force. Honestly, if you look back at the 1970s and early 80s, she was basically the queen of the box office, often out-earning her male counterparts and giving the legendary Hema Malini a serious run for her money. Most people remember her for the big hits, but the real story of Reena Roy is way more intense than just catchy songs and colorful saris.
It’s a story of a woman who started with nothing, hit the absolute peak of stardom, and then walked away from it all for love—only to have to fight her way back to her daughter years later.
What Most People Get Wrong About Her Start
You’ve probably heard she was an "overnight" success. Not really. Born Saira Ali on January 7, 1957, her childhood was kinda messy. Her parents, Sadiq Ali and Sharda Rai, split up early, and she grew up in a household where money was tight. Her mother eventually changed her name to Roopa Rai, but when she finally got a break in films, director B.R. Ishara renamed her Reena Roy.
Her debut in Zaroorat (1972) was... bold. Like, really bold for the time. She did semi-nude scenes that made the industry sit up and take notice, but it also pigeonholed her as a "daring" actress rather than a serious one. It took a few years and a lot of grit to shake that image.
The real turning point? Kalicharan in 1976. This film didn’t just make her a star; it introduced the world to the explosive chemistry between her and Shatrughan Sinha. People were obsessed. They were the "it" couple of the era, appearing in 16 films together. But while the cameras were rolling, their real-life relationship was becoming the stuff of tabloid legends and, eventually, a source of immense heartbreak.
The Nagin Phenomenon and the Award She Refused
If you want to talk about Reena Roy, you have to talk about Nagin (1976). Almost every top actress at the time turned down the role of the shape-shifting, vengeful snake-woman. They thought it was too "grey" or too weird. Reena saw the potential. She took it, owned it, and the movie became the highest-grossing hit of the year.
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Why she said "No" to Filmfare
Then there’s the famous 1977 incident with the movie Apnapan. She played a selfish woman who abandons her husband and child for a better life. It was a brilliant, nuanced performance. The Filmfare committee decided to give her the Best Supporting Actress award for it.
Reena’s response? A polite but firm "no thank you."
She argued that she wasn't a "supporting" player—she was the heroine of the film. It was a boss move that showed she knew her worth. In an industry where everyone was desperate for validation, she chose her dignity over a trophy.
What Really Happened With Shatrughan Sinha
This is the part everyone talks about, even decades later. Shatrughan and Reena were deeply involved for years. In his biography Anything But Khamosh, Shatrughan actually admits to "two-timing" his wife, Poonam, with Reena. It was a messy, public triangle.
The tension peaked around 1982. Reena was done with being the "other woman." Reportedly, she gave him an ultimatum: marry me in eight days, or I’m moving on. Producer Pahlaj Nihalani has even recalled how Shatrughan cried like a baby when he realized Reena was serious. But Shatrughan was already married and had a family. He couldn't—or wouldn't—leave them.
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So, Reena did exactly what she said she would. She walked away.
The Marriage to Mohsin Khan and the Custody Battle
In 1983, at the absolute height of her fame—we’re talking about a woman who was the second highest-paid actress in India—she quit. Just like that. She married Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan and moved to Karachi.
The early years were okay. They traveled to London, they had a daughter named Jannat. But the "flamboyant" lifestyle and cultural differences started to grate. Mohsin wanted to settle in London; Reena missed home. By the early 90s, they were divorced.
The fight for Sanam
The hardest part wasn't the divorce; it was the custody battle. Mohsin initially got custody of Jannat and took her to Pakistan. Reena was devastated. She has mentioned in interviews how she went to every saint and sadhu she could find, praying for her daughter's return.
It wasn't until Mohsin remarried that he finally allowed the girl to live with Reena in India. Reena immediately changed her daughter's name from Jannat to Sanam.
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Life in 2026: The Legacy of a Survivor
Today, Reena Roy lives a quiet but fulfilled life in Mumbai. She isn't chasing the limelight anymore. She runs an acting school with her sister Barkha and focuses on her daughter. Every now and then, you’ll see her on a reality show like Indian Idol, looking regal and reminding everyone why she was such a big deal.
Looking back, her career filmography is staggering:
- The Masala Hits: Naseeb, Jaani Dushman, Zakhmee.
- The Dramatic Roles: Aasha, Arpan, Pyaasa Sawan.
- The Comeback: Aadmi Khilona Hai (1993) and her last major appearance in Refugee (2000).
She proved that you could be a "commercial" star and still have incredible acting range. She took roles other women were afraid of and she handled her personal scandals with a level of grace that most people couldn't manage.
How to Appreciate Her Work Today
If you're new to her films, don't just watch the hit songs like "Sheesha Ho Ya Dil Ho." Look for the nuance in her performances in Apnapan or Aasha. You’ll see a woman who wasn't just "pretty"—she was present.
For those wanting to dive deeper into the golden era of Bollywood, start by watching her collaborations with director J. Om Prakash. That’s where you’ll find the heart of her craft. You can also find her occasional television appearances where she shares surprisingly candid stories about the old industry, proving that while the eras change, a true icon never really fades.
To get a real sense of her impact, look up the box office records of 1980—you'll see her name at the top of almost every major hit, a feat few actresses have repeated since.