Cuckoo
- Born: 1928 (Bombay)
- Died: 30 September 1981 (Bombay)
- Primary Cinema: Hindi
An Anglo-Indian by birth, Cuckoo Moray was one of the first dancing queens of Hindi cinema. She ruled the roost much before her protégé Helen cemented her place, and before heroines like Vyjayanthimala shone with their dancing on screen. It is to her credit that ‘cabaret dancing’ became an integral part of Hindi films.
While not much is known about Cuckoo Moray’s life before and after movies, she is said to have made her debut in the mid-40s, starring in Mujrim (1944) and Pehli Nazar (1944). It was in Mehboob Khan’s Anokhi Ada (1948) that her dancing skills were appropriately noticed and she shot to the top. Within a short period, she became one of the most sought-after actresses in the industry, specializing in dance sequences. She is said to have charged Rs.6,000 per song – a whopping figure in those days – and led an extravagant lifestyle.
Through the 1950s, she remained the dancing queen of Hindi cinema – gracing the screen with her effervescent and seductive dances in films such as Aan (1952), Mayurpankh (1954), Mr and Mrs 55 (1955 – who can forget her seductive, languorous number – Neele aasmani), Yahudi (1958) and Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958).
Known to be very helpful by nature, Cuckoo was instrumental in getting Helen into movies, first bringing her in as a chorus dancer in Shabistan (1951) and then helping her gain a foothold. By the end of the decade, Cuckoo’s appearances had begun to dwindle as she was displaced by her own protégé, Helen, with whom she appeared in some songs as well.
Her last on-screen appearance was in Mujhe Jeene Do (1963) after which she retired. Post-retirement, while she continued leading a reclusive life, it is said that she had a tough life – her extravagant lifestyle coming under the radar of the tax authorities for tax evasion. She died of cancer, after much hardship, on 30th September, 1981.
-
Filmography (44)
SortRole
-
Mujhe Jeene Do 1963
-
Bezuban 1962
-
Girls Hostel 1962
-
Pick Pocket 1962
-
Piya Milan Ki Aas 1961
-
Delhi Junction 1960
-
Gambler 1960
-
Bus Conductor 1959
-
Guest House 1959
-
Heera Moti 1959
-
Aji Bas Shukriya 1958
-
Hathkadi 1958
-
.jpg)
