People would give Meena Kumari cheaper Alcohol, I had told her I’ll break her arm, reveals veteran actress' step-ston Tajdar Amrohi

Meena Kumari’s step-son Tajdar Amrohi on mother's Alcohol addiction: People would give her cheaper liquor, I told her I’ll break her arm...

Meena Kumari, the tragedy queen of Indian cinema, remains an iconic figure for her remarkable performances and poetic soul. However, her personal life, marked by sorrow and solitude, continues to draw attention even decades after her untimely demise. In a heartfelt revelation, her step-son Tajdar Amrohi opened up about the late actress’s struggles with alcohol, shedding light on a lesser-known side of her life.

Tajdar, son of filmmaker Kamaal Amrohi and his second wife, shared a deep emotional bond with Meena Kumari. He fondly referred to her as “Chhoti Ammi,” underscoring a connection rooted in affection and concern. Reflecting on their relationship, he said, “When she used to stay with us, we never knew that she used to consume alcohol. We only came to know of it once she moved out.”

Meena Kumari’s addiction reportedly began after she left her marital home and shifted to her residence on Carter Road. Despite her physical distance from the family, Tajdar remained in constant touch with her, often visiting and attempting to intervene. “I used to visit her sometimes and, many times, I had even scolded and reprimanded her for her alcoholism,” he admitted.

These attempts to help her often led to emotional confrontations. Tajdar recalled one particularly heated exchange where he, overwhelmed with concern and frustration, issued a stark warning. “I told her that I’ll break her arm if she drinks again. But to that, she retorted, asking me to go ahead and do it,” he revealed. The exchange, though intense, reflected the underlying love between them. “We regularly had these fights, but they were purely out of our love for each other,” he added.

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Tajdar’s revelations also highlighted how others in Meena Kumari’s life failed to protect her. Instead, some exploited her vulnerability. “There were people who got Meena Kumari cheap liquor, and that used to upset me very much. Chhoti Ammi was very innocent,” he shared with a mix of anger and helplessness. His words paint a picture of a woman surrounded by opportunists who enabled her addiction, rather than offering support or intervention.

While Meena Kumari’s personal life was filled with pain and addiction, her professional discipline remained unwavering. Despite her health struggles, she was known for her punctuality and professionalism. Rain or shine, sickness or sobriety, she never missed a day on set. “She always made it to sets on time and shot for the films she signed, with zero tantrums,” Tajdar noted with admiration.

In her final days, though weakened by cirrhosis of the liver, Meena Kumari found solace in the fact that she had fulfilled all her professional commitments. There was no work left unfinished, a testament to her dedication even as her body betrayed her. At just 38, she breathed her last and was laid to rest in Rehmata Baug in Mumbai.

Meena Kumari remains immortalized not just in the annals of Indian cinema, but also in the memories of those who truly knew her — not just as a star, but as a fragile, kind-hearted soul seeking comfort in a world that often failed her.