THIS actress’ spirit haunts decades after mysterious death

Zubeida Begum, a celebrated 1950s actress, died mysteriously in a 1952 plane crash with her husband. Despite opposition from her father, she pursued acting. Her life inspired the cult film ‘Zubeidaa’. Her son, Khalid Mohammed, was born from her arranged marriage but later found beheaded, adding to the family’s tragic legacy.

‘Zubeidaa’, released by Shyam Benegal in 2001, soon gained the status of a cult classic. The real-life journey of actress Zubeida Begum formed the foundation of the movie, with key roles portrayed by Karisma Kapoor, Rekha, Manoj Bajpayee, and Surekha Sikri. The screenplay was crafted by journalist Khalid Mohammed, Zubeida’s son. The story of glamour, heartbreak, family conflicts, and enduring mysteries that continue to haunt even decades later was shown on screen.Tragic end and lingering mysteriesDuring the 1950s, ‘Zubeida’ was a celebrated actress whose promising life was tragically cut short on January 26, 1952. She lost her life in a plane crash along with her husband, Maharaja Hanwant Singh of Jodhpur. Although the incident was officially declared an accident, rumors of foul play have persisted over the years. To this day, many locals believe her spirit still roams the corridors of Ummid Bhavan Palace, where echoes of her unfinished tale continue to resonate.Family background and oppositionZubeida was raised in a prosperous and prominent Muslim family, surrounded by artistic influences. However, her father, Qasim Bhai Mehta, a thriving businessman, strongly opposed her desire to pursue acting, leading to significant conflicts within their family. Career setback and personal lifeAs reported, she was cast in the film ‘Usha Kiran’ opposite Geeta Bali, but the movie was never completed. It is said that her father arrived at the set with a pistol, leading to the cancellation of the shoot. Soon after, her father arranged her marriage to the son of a family friend. From this marriage, her son Khalid Mohammed was born, but the marriage ended in divorce.