She was an actress who reigned over Indian cinema for four decades, from the 1950s to the 1990s. Known as the highest-paid star of her time, she mesmerised audiences with her beauty and powerful performances, amassing assets worth crores. But in a shocking twist, one lie changed the course of her life, turning her world upside down.
Bollywood actress Mala Sinha’s life is incredibly fascinating. She was among the richest actresses in Indian cinema, quickly reaching the earnings level of leading actors. Mala Sinha made her Hindi film debut with Baadshah in 1954.
Mala Sinha, who has acted in more than 120 films, has shared the screen with Bollywood stars like Dharmendra, Guru Dutt, Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan.
However, despite her star status, she was reputed to be very stingy in the film industry. To save money, she did not even hire a maid for her home. A single mistake she made at the peak of her career greatly impacted her film trajectory.
In 1978, when she was at the height of her career, Income Tax officials suddenly raided Mala Sinha’s house. The officials were astonished by the findings. Money was discovered concealed in the bathroom wall of her home, and it was reported that Rs 100 crore worth of cash was seized.
The incident escalated to the court. Reports indicated that Mala Sinha, when appearing in court, claimed that she earned this money through prostitution. This lie was the cause of her career downfall.
Reports suggest that it was her father who advised her to make this claim, with both her father and lawyer allegedly urging her to tell the lie in order to protect herself.
Mala Sinha’s testimony in court destroyed her career. She was dropped from major films overnight. From producers and directors to actors and technicians, no one was willing to work with her. As a result, Mala Sinha had to leave the acting world.
