Her stardom shattered norms, but love didn’t follow: The story of Suraiya - The first Indian actress to outearn her male co-stars

According to Indian Express, at a time when male actors dominated the industry in both prominence and earnings, Suraiya broke all norms by commanding a fee of ₹1 to ₹2 lakh per film, more than her celebrated co-stars like Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Ashok Kumar. This unprecedented pay made her India’s highest-paid actress of the 1940s and early 1950s, reflecting not only her popularity but also her formidable box office pull.

Suraiya’s journey into films began at just 12 years old when she accompanied her maternal uncle to film sets. She got her first acting role as the young Mumtaz Mahal in Taj Mahal. Her natural singing talent was discovered by composer Naushad while she was performing for All India Radio, leading to her playback debut in Sharda (1942). She went on to sing 338 songs, a rare feat for an actress-singer of her era.

Suraiya and Dev Anand’s love story captivated the nation. They starred together in seven films and were in a relationship from 1948 to 1951. Dev Anand famously borrowed money from friends to buy her a ₹3,000 diamond ring, a gesture of his deep affection. However, their relationship faced staunch opposition from Suraiya’s conservative Muslim family, primarily because of their religious differences.

When Suraiya’s grandmother discovered the diamond ring, she removed it from Suraiya’s finger and forbade any further contact with Dev Anand. Heartbroken, Dev Anand reportedly threw the ring into the Arabian Sea. Though he proposed to her again years later, Suraiya declined, unwilling to defy her family. She remained unmarried for the rest of her life, and many believe her personal heartbreak also cast a shadow over her later career.

After her split with Dev Anand, Suraiya’s career faced a downturn, with several of her 1950s films failing at the box office. Yet she achieved a triumphant comeback with 'Mirza Ghalib' (1954), which was both a critical and commercial success. India’s then–Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru praised her moving performance, remarking, “You brought Mirza Ghalib’s soul back to life.” Today, Suraiya is remembered as one of Indian cinema’s most talented actresses and a true singing star who left an indelible mark on film history.