She was the highest paid actress-singer in the 1950s

Her childhood friends were Raj Kapoor and Madan Mohan who were singing for children's programmes at All India Radio, Bombay. In fact, it was Madan Mohan who introduced Suraiya (1929-2004) into the programme.

Fame came Suraiya's way very soon when music director Naushad spotted her. From her teenage, she was a major hit in the 1940s as many of her songs including the ones of 'Anmol Ghadi' (1946) became immortal classics.

In the years that followed, she paired with Prithviraj Kapoor, K L Saigal and the dashing Dev Anand with whom she fell in love. Her experience with Dilip Kumar was not very good as she had hurt his ego indirectly during one of her earlier interactions.

This reflected in his behaviour towards her to the extent that she refused acting with him.

Yet, that was the phase when her career was at its zenith and she was the highest-paid star. Today is Suraiya's 91st birth anniversary.