Few actresses defined the golden era of Hindi cinema the way Reena Roy did. Born Saira Ali, she rose from a broken home in Mumbai to become one of Bollywood’s highest-paid leading ladies through the 1970s and early 1980s. Her daughter, Sanam Khan, is the child she famously fought to bring back to India after a difficult divorce from Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan.
Reena Roy Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Saira Ali (birth name); screen name Reena Roy |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1957 |
| Age (2026) | 69 years |
| Birthplace | Mumbai, Maharashtra, India |
| Hometown | Mumbai, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Religion | Islam |
| Caste or Community | Muslim (paternal); Punjabi Hindu (maternal) |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Height | 5 ft 3 in (approx.) |
| Weight | 85 kg (approx.) |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Black |
| Profession | Actress |
| Known For | Nagin (1976), Kalicharan (1976), Aasha (1980), Apnapan (1977) |
| Father’s Name | Sadiq Ali (character actor) |
| Mother’s Name | Sharda Rai (actress and producer) |
| Siblings | Raja Roy (brother), Barkha Roy (sister, producer), Anju Roy (sister) |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
| First Husband | Mohsin Khan (Pakistani cricketer; married 1983, divorced early 1990s) |
| Current Husband/Wife | Not publicly confirmed |
| Children | Sanam Khan (born Jannat; daughter) |
| School | Not publicly confirmed |
| College or University | Not publicly confirmed |
| Degree or Qualification | Not publicly confirmed |
| Political Party | Indian National Congress (campaigned for; not a formal member) |
| Current Position or Role | Retired from active films |
| Net Worth (estimated) | ₹22 crore (approx. $3–5 million USD) |
| Monthly Income (estimated) | Not publicly confirmed |
| Twitter/X | Not publicly confirmed |
| Not publicly confirmed | |
| Not publicly confirmed | |
| YouTube | Not publicly confirmed |
| Official Website | Not publicly confirmed |
Reena Roy Filmography
| Year | Title | Role | Language | Medium | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | Zaroorat | Anju | Hindi | Film | Debut film; directed by B.R. Ishara |
| 1973 | Jaise Ko Taisa | Lead | Hindi | Film | Breakthrough role; rain-dance song became iconic |
| 1975 | Zakhmee | Lead | Hindi | Film | Major box-office success |
| 1976 | Kalicharan | Lead | Hindi | Film | Top league entry; opposite Shatrughan Sinha |
| 1976 | Nagin | Title role | Hindi | Film | Huge hit; Filmfare Best Actress nomination |
| 1977 | Apnapan | Kamini | Hindi | Film | Won Filmfare Best Supporting Actress; declined award |
| 1978 | Vishwanath | Lead | Hindi | Film | Collaborated with Subhash Ghai |
| 1979 | Jaani Dushman | Lead | Hindi | Film | Hit horror film |
| 1980 | Aasha | Aasha (title role) | Hindi | Film | Second Filmfare Best Actress nomination |
| 1981 | Naseeb | Lead | Hindi | Film | Multi-starrer with Amitabh Bachchan |
| 1981 | Rocky | Lead | Hindi | Film | Opposite debut Sanjay Dutt |
| 1982 | Sanam Teri Kasam | Lead | Hindi | Film | Romantic comedy hit |
| 1983 | Arpan | Lead | Hindi | Film | Family drama classic with Jeetendra |
| 1984 | Asha Jyoti | Lead | Hindi | Film | Continued run as top actress |
| 1993 | Aadmi Khilona Hai | Bhabhi (sister-in-law) | Hindi | Film | Comeback attempt after sabbatical |
| 2000 | Refugee | Supporting | Hindi | Film | Last known film appearance; directed by J.P. Dutta |
Reena Roy Career
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1970 | Began career as a model; appeared in a Lux soap advertisement |
| 1972 | Film debut with Zaroorat (B.R. Ishara) |
| 1973 | Rose to prominence with Jaise Ko Taisa alongside Jeetendra |
| 1976 | Entered top Bollywood league with Kalicharan and Nagin; became one of highest-paid actresses |
| 1977 | Won Filmfare Best Supporting Actress for Apnapan; declined the award |
| 1978 | Delivered box-office hit Vishwanath with Subhash Ghai |
| 1980 | Ranked No. 1 actress in Box Office India’s Top Actresses list |
| 1981–1982 | Peak years; 13 releases in 1982 alone, more than any contemporary |
| 1983 | Left Bollywood to marry Mohsin Khan; moved to Pakistan |
| 1992 | Returned to India following divorce; regained custody of daughter Sanam |
| 1993–2000 | Attempted comeback; played supporting roles |
| 2021 | Appeared as special guest on Indian Idol Season 12 |
Reena Roy Awards and Achievements
| Year | Award | Given By | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Filmfare Best Actress Nomination | Filmfare | For Nagin (1976) |
| 1979 | Filmfare Best Supporting Actress | Filmfare | For Apnapan (1977); declined the award |
| 1981 | Filmfare Best Actress Nomination | Filmfare | For Aasha (1980) |
| 1976–1983 | Listed in Top Actresses list | Box Office India | Appeared 8 times; ranked No. 1 in 1980 |
Reena Roy Early Life and Family
Reena Roy Father
Reena Roy’s father, Sadiq Ali, was a character actor who worked in Hindi films from approximately 1940 to 1975. He typically appeared in Muslim social dramas in the role of an elderly father figure. After the parents separated, Reena’s siblings largely cut ties with him.
Reena Roy Mother
Her mother, Sharda Rai (also known as Sharda Roy), had her own connection to Indian cinema. She acted in the film Bawre Nain alongside Raj Kapoor and Gita Bali, and later produced the film Gunehgar Kaun under the name Sharda Roy. It was Sharda who raised her four children alone after the separation and later guided Reena toward marriage at what she felt was the appropriate age.
Reena Roy Siblings and Family Background
Reena was the third of four children born to Sadiq Ali and Sharda Rai. Her elder brother, originally named Yaseen Hussain, had his name changed to Raja Roy by their mother after the family separation. Her sisters are Barkha Roy, who went on to become a film producer, and Anju Roy. The family grew up in Mumbai after the parents parted ways, and Reena entered the film industry in her early teens to support the household.
Reena Roy Education
Details about Reena Roy’s schooling and college education are not publicly confirmed. She began working as a model around 1970 and started her film career at approximately 15 years of age, which suggests her formal education was limited. Her skill in classical dance, however, points to dedicated training in the performing arts beyond standard academics.
Reena Roy Career
Reena Roy entered the film world through director B.R. Ishara, who originally cast her alongside Danny Denzongpa in Nayi Duniya Naye Log (1971), a project that was shelved and released only in 1973. Ishara then gave her the lead in Zaroorat (1972), and the bold subject matter of that film earned her early attention as the so-called Zaroorat Girl.
Early Breakthrough (1972–1975)
Her rain-soaked dance to the song Ab Ke Sawan in Jaise Ko Taisa (1973) opposite Jeetendra gave audiences a glimpse of her screen presence and set her on a path toward stardom. Films like Umar Qaid and Zakhmee followed, with Zakhmee (1975) marking a clear upward turn in her box-office standing.
Peak Years (1976–1983)
The year 1976 changed everything. Kalicharan and Nagin, both massive commercial hits, established Reena as one of Bollywood’s top-earning actresses. Her performance in the title role of Nagin, where she portrays a shape-shifting avenger, became a cultural touchstone of the era. Apnapan (1977) earned her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress award, which she famously refused to accept on the grounds that her role was equal to that of the lead. Her pairing with Jeetendra across 17 films and with Shatrughan Sinha across 16 produced a combined run of blockbusters that few actresses of the period could match. By 1980, Box Office India ranked her the number one actress in Hindi cinema. In 1982 alone, she had thirteen releases, more than any of her contemporaries that year.
Post-Marriage Comeback (1992–2000)
After nearly a decade away from screens, Reena returned in a supporting capacity in Aadmi Khilona Hai (1993) but was unable to recapture her earlier standing. Her final known film appearance came in J.P. Dutta’s Refugee (2000), starring Abhishek Bachchan.
Reena Roy Filmography, Breakthrough Roles and Iconic Performances
Reena Roy worked across multiple genres: horror, romance, family drama, and comedy. Her horror films with director Rajkumar Kohli, particularly Nagin (1976) and Jaani Dushman (1979), remain reference points for Hindi horror of that decade. Her dramatic work in Apnapan (1977) showed a darker, more complex side to her talent, and her dancing in Aasha (1980) to the song Shisha Ho Ya Dil is still cited as one of the most emotionally resonant musical sequences of the 1980s. She appeared in over 100 films across Hindi and Punjabi cinema.
Reena Roy Religion and Community
What is Reena Roy’s Religion
Reena Roy was born to a Muslim father and a Hindu mother. By practice and public identification, she follows Islam. Her birth name, Saira Ali, reflects her paternal Muslim lineage.
What is Reena Roy’s Caste or Community
On her father’s side, she comes from a Muslim background. Her mother, Sharda Rai, was of Punjabi Hindu origin. After the parents separated, the children were raised primarily under their mother’s guidance, though Reena retained her Muslim religious identity.
Reena Roy Personal Life and Relationships
Is Reena Roy Married
Reena Roy was married once, to Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in 1983. The marriage ended in divorce in the early 1990s. She has not remarried since, and her current relationship status is not publicly confirmed.
Reena Roy Husband
Reena married Mohsin Khan in Karachi in 1983, at the peak of her career. Her mother had urged her to settle down, fearing she would remain unmarried if she delayed further. After the wedding, Reena moved to Pakistan and stepped away from Bollywood. The marriage eventually broke down due to differences in lifestyle and future plans, with Mohsin reportedly wanting to settle in London and take British citizenship, a prospect Reena was unwilling to accept. The divorce was finalized around 1992. Mohsin Khan has since spoken publicly about the marriage, noting he married her for her personality and has no regrets.
Reena Roy Children
Her daughter, born as Jannat, is known today as Sanam Khan. After the divorce, initial custody went to Mohsin Khan, but when he later remarried, custody transferred back to Reena. She brought her daughter to India and renamed her Sanam. In her own words, Reena fought to get Sanam back with every means available to her. Sanam Khan has kept a largely private life away from the media spotlight.
Reena Roy Height, Weight and Physical Appearance
Reena Roy stands approximately 5 feet 3 inches tall and weighs approximately 85 kg. She has black eyes and black hair. Her expressive eyes became a defining feature of her on-screen presence, and her face was often described by critics and casting directors as distinctively photogenic.
Reena Roy Net Worth and Earnings
| Source | Estimated Amount |
|---|---|
| Various online estimates | ₹15–22 crore ($2–5 million USD) |
| Acting career earnings (1972–2000) | Primary historical source |
| Investments and other ventures | Not publicly confirmed |
Reena Roy’s net worth is estimated at around ₹22 crore ($3.5 million USD) based on multiple online sources, though the exact figure is not publicly confirmed. Her wealth was built primarily through her peak acting years between 1976 and 1983, when she was among the highest-paid actresses in Hindi cinema. She was commanding equal fees to Hema Malini by the early 1980s and replaced Zeenat Aman as the top-earning actress during that period.
Reena Roy Social Media
| Platform | Handle | Followers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not publicly confirmed | Not known | No verified account found | |
| Twitter/X | Not publicly confirmed | Not known | No verified account found |
| Not publicly confirmed | Not known | No verified account found | |
| YouTube | Not publicly confirmed | Not known | No official channel found |
Reena Roy maintains a very private profile today and does not appear to have verified active social media accounts. She made a notable public appearance in July 2021 on Indian Idol Season 12, which ran a special episode dedicated to her legacy.
Reena Roy Controversies
Legal Dispute with Producer Mohan Kumar
Reena Roy was involved in a financial legal dispute with producer Mohan Kumar during her career years. The matter was eventually resolved out of court. Few details were made public beyond the basic facts of the disagreement.
Custody Battle for Sanam Khan
After her divorce from Mohsin Khan, Reena faced a protracted legal and personal battle to regain custody of her daughter Jannat, now known as Sanam Khan. Mohsin initially received custody following the divorce. Reena returned to India without her daughter and spent years seeking to have the custody arrangement reversed. When Mohsin remarried, the custody returned to her. The episode drew considerable public sympathy and remains one of the most discussed chapters of her personal life.
Lesser Known Facts About Reena Roy
- Her original birth name was Saira Ali. Her mother later changed it to Roopa Rai, and director B.R. Ishara renamed her Reena Roy before her debut.
- She began her career as a model around 1970 and appeared in a television commercial for Lux soap before transitioning to films.
- At the beginning of her career, Reena reportedly struggled with dancing and trained extensively under multiple dance teachers before mastering both classical and contemporary styles.
- She appeared in Box Office India’s Top Actresses list eight consecutive times, from 1976 to 1983, topping the list in 1980.
- In 1982 alone, she had thirteen film releases, a figure no other leading actress matched in that year.
- Her daughter’s original name was Jannat. Reena renamed her Sanam after bringing her back to India following the custody dispute.
- She campaigned for the Indian National Congress in 2004, leading to widespread speculation about a formal political entry, though she did not formally join the party.
- Her mother, Sharda Rai, was herself a film actress who appeared alongside Raj Kapoor and later became a film producer.
- She received fan letters written in blood at the height of her popularity in the late 1970s and early 1980s, according to reports she shared in interviews.
- Her sister Barkha Roy became a film producer, maintaining the family’s multi-generational connection to the Hindi film industry.
Reena Roy today lives quietly in Mumbai with her daughter Sanam Khan. Her body of work spanning over 100 films across two decades continues to be celebrated by admirers of classic Hindi cinema, and her influence on the aesthetic and dramatic style of the 1970s and 1980s Bollywood heroine remains visible in the way those films are discussed and revisited even now.
Reena Roy FAQ
Who is Reena Roy?
Reena Roy, born Saira Ali on January 7, 1957, is a veteran Indian actress who was one of the leading stars of Hindi cinema during the 1970s and early 1980s. She is best known for her roles in Nagin (1976), Kalicharan (1976), Apnapan (1977), and Aasha (1980). Her daughter is Sanam Khan.
How old is Reena Roy?
Reena Roy is 69 years old as of 2026, having been born on January 7, 1957.
What is Reena Roy’s net worth?
Reena Roy’s net worth is estimated at approximately ₹22 crore, equivalent to around $3.5 million USD, based on available online estimates. The exact figure is not publicly confirmed.
Is Reena Roy married?
Reena Roy was married to Pakistani cricketer Mohsin Khan in 1983. They divorced in the early 1990s. She has not remarried since then.
Who is Reena Roy’s husband?
Her only known husband is Mohsin Khan, the former Pakistani cricket batsman. They married in 1983 and divorced approximately in 1992. Mohsin Khan now resides in Pakistan.
What is Reena Roy’s religion?
Reena Roy follows Islam. She was born to a Muslim father (Sadiq Ali) and a Hindu Punjabi mother (Sharda Rai). She is identified publicly by her Muslim faith.
What is Reena Roy’s height?
Reena Roy is approximately 5 feet 3 inches (160 cm) tall.
Who are Reena Roy’s father and mother?
Her father was Sadiq Ali, a character actor who appeared in Hindi films from the 1940s through the 1970s. Her mother was Sharda Rai, an actress who appeared in the film Bawre Nain and later produced films under the name Sharda Roy.
Who is Reena Roy’s daughter?
Reena Roy’s daughter is Sanam Khan, who was born as Jannat. After Reena regained custody following her divorce from Mohsin Khan, she renamed her daughter Sanam. Sanam Khan has lived a largely private life away from the film industry.
What is Reena Roy known for?
She is best known for her iconic title role in Nagin (1976), her blockbuster pairing with Jeetendra and Shatrughan Sinha across multiple hits, her dramatic performance in Apnapan (1977), and her celebrated dance sequence in Aasha (1980). She was the top-ranked actress in Bollywood by Box Office India in 1980.
Did Reena Roy win any awards?
She won the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for Apnapan (1977) but declined to accept it. She also received Filmfare Best Actress nominations for Nagin (1976) and Aasha (1980). Box Office India listed her among its Top Actresses eight consecutive years between 1976 and 1983.
What was Reena Roy’s last film?
Her last known film appearance was in J.P. Dutta’s Refugee (2000), a border drama that starred Abhishek Bachchan in his debut.
Sources
IMDb Trivia — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0747155/trivia/
Outlook India — https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/reena-roy-s-ex-husband-mohsin-khan-has-no-regrets-on-marrying-her-didn-t-see-where-she-was-from-news-270547
The Express Tribune — https://tribune.com.pk/story/2406604/i-wanted-to-stay-in-pakistan-mohsin-khan-opens-up-about-his-divorce-from-bollywood-star-reena-roy
Bollywood Shaadis — https://www.bollywoodshaadis.com/articles/reena-roy-reveals-why-she-divorced-hubby-mohsin-khan-recalls-her-struggle-to-get-daughter-custody-37952
DNA India — https://www.dnaindia.com/bollywood/report-meet-actress-reena-roy-who-was-superstar-quit-acting-marry-pakistani-cricketer-got-divorced-career-ended-now-3085256
Tring — https://www.tring.co.in/popular-celebrities/reena-roy
The Personage — https://thepersonage.com/reena-roy/