Yesteryear actress Bina Rai passes away

Legendary actress Bina Rai, who charmed Indian audiences with her performances in "Anarkali" and "Taj Mahal" and won a Filmfare award for "Ghunghat", died of a heart attack in her Mumbai home Sunday. She was 78.

Bina was married to actor Prem Nath, who was well-known filmmaker Raj Kapoor's brother-in-law. She is survived by two sons - Prem Kishan and Kailash Nath.

"Her funeral will take place in Banganga (in South Mumbai) on Monday at around 4 p.m. We are waiting for my brother Prem Kishen. He is on his way back from abroad," Kailash, also known as Monty, told IANS.

Bina, who went on a hunger strike to convince her parents to allow her to act in movies, entered Bollywood with director Kishore Sahu's film "Kali Ghata" in 1951. Later she featured in movies like "Vallah Kya Baat Hai" (1962), "Bandi" (1957), "Changez Khan" (1957), "Durgesh Nandini" (1956), "Marine Drive" (1955) and "Aurat" (1953).

But she is still remembered for her roles in "Anarkali" (1953) and Taj Mahal" (1963). Her last film was L.V. Prasad's "Daadi Maa" that was released in 1966.

Her son Prem Krishen, who had tried his luck in Hindi films with "Dulhan Wohi Jo Piya Man Bhaye", is a successful TV producer and has made hit serials like "Gul Gulshan Gulfam" and "Junoon".

Bina's granddaughter Akanksha too entered films with "Yeh Mohabbat Hai", but the film didn;t work at the box office and she decided to bow out.

Her grandson Sidharth, however, is a successful TV director. He wielded the megaphone for the hit TV serial "Sanjivani".