There is an untold story behind every Bollywood star, which hides behind the smile we see on screens. Love, betrayals, and entangled relationships are not just movie plots; many celebrities who have experienced them in real life can attest to that. One of the most talked about couples back in the 70s and 80s was Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha. Bollywood has given us some of the most epic love stories, and theirs is among the most iconic.
Reena Roy’s family background
Reena Roy, one of the most celebrated actresses of the 1970s and 80s, lived a life filled with glamour, love, heartbreak, and resilience. Her life tells the tale of a Bollywood star and the struggles she faced. Born as Saira Ali, Reena Roy was raised in a mixed-religion household. Her father, Sadiq Ali, was Muslim, and her mother, Sharda Rai, Hindu. After her parents’ separation, she fell out with her father. Her mother later changed her name to Rupa Roy. When she entered films, director BR Ishara gave her the iconic screen name Reena Roy.
Fame in Bollywood with Nagin
Reena Roy attained stardom with Nagin (1976). This was a film almost every reigning actress had turned down.” The movie became an overnight blockbuster, putting her career back on track. She continued to star in several successful films such as ‘Jaani Dushman’ (1979), ‘Aasha’ (1980), ‘Naseeb’ (1981), ‘Sanam Teri Kasam’ (1982), and ‘Arpan’ (1983) among others. By the late 1970s, Reena had firmly established herself as one of the highest-paid and most sought-after actresses in the industry.
Relationship with Shatrughan Sinha
According to DNA, Reena Roy and Shatrughan Sinha first met on the sets of ‘Kalicharan’ (1976), where they developed a close bond despite their 11-year age gap. Their union was the talk of the town, and many thought they would ultimately marry. But in 1981, Shatrughan shocked everyone when he married Poonam Sinha instead. Heartbroken, Reena decided to distance herself and eventually moved on with her life.
Marriage to Mohsin Khan and custody battle
In the mid-1980s, Reena married the Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan. The couple had a daughter named Jannat. However, the couple divorced in the early 1990s due to lifestyle and cultural differences. Mohsin Khan took the child and moved to Karachi, which initiated a lengthy custody dispute between the parents. Reena Roy was eventually granted custody of Jannat and raised her in India.
