Some Bollywood careers are built one song at a time, and few illustrate that better than Pratibha Sinha's brief but dazzling turn in Raja Hindustani. The 1996 film's evergreen number Pardesi Pardesi Jaana Nahin, picturised on Karisma Kapoor and Aamir Khan, is still hummed today, largely because of the gypsy dancer whose moves stole the show in the background. That dancer was Pratibha Sinha, daughter of veteran actress Mala Sinha. The seven minute song turned her into an overnight star, but the same music duo, Nadeem Shravan, whose composition made her famous, would later become linked to the affair that derailed her entire career, through Nadeem Saifi.
A Film Family And An Early Career
Pratibha Sinha was born on July 4, 1969, into a prominent film family, and acting was practically in her blood. Her mother Mala Sinha was among the top actresses of her time, while her father Chidambar Prasad Lohani was a well known actor and landowner in Nepal. Pratibha made her Bollywood debut in 1992 with Mehboob Mere Mehboob. The film flopped at the box office, but her understated screen presence won over filmmakers. She went on to appear in Kal Ki Awaz, Dil Hai Betaab and Tu Chor Main Sipahi. Still, nothing prepared anyone for the fame that followed the song Pardesi Pardesi. Her final film release came in 2000, with Le Chal Apne Sang.
An Affair With Nadeem Saifi, And House Arrest In Chennai
The most controversial chapter of Pratibha's life began when she grew close to married composer Nadeem Saifi during her acting career. Since the two belonged to different religions, Mala Sinha strongly opposed the relationship. To keep her daughter away from Nadeem, Mala Sinha had her placed under house arrest in Chennai, though the pair kept in touch through coded messages. When rumours spread that they were planning to elope, Mala Sinha turned to Bal Thackeray for help. Pratibha was brought back to Mumbai, and a press conference was arranged where, under intense pressure, she accused Nadeem of kidnapping and exploitation. Nadeem Saifi flatly denied the allegations, calling the entire episode a publicity stunt.
The Gulshan Kumar Murder Case Sealed Her Career's Fate
Before the controversy could settle, T-Series owner Gulshan Kumar was shot dead in broad daylight in August 1997. Nadeem Saifi's name emerged as an alleged conspirator in the murder, forcing him to flee to London to escape prosecution. A court eventually cleared Nadeem of any wrongdoing in the case, but by then the episode had already put a full stop to whatever remained of Pratibha Sinha's film career.
A Quiet Life Away From The Spotlight Today
The glitz of the film industry, the camera flashes and the stardom are no longer part of Pratibha Sinha's world. She now lives a calm, low profile life in Mumbai with her mother Mala Sinha, far removed from the spotlight that once made her a household name overnight.
