Devika Rani

Indian actress

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July 23, 2026

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Devika Rani was a pioneering Indian actress and a significant figure in early Bollywood cinema. She was married to Himanshu Rai, a filmmaker who co-founded Bombay Talkies, one of the first major film studios in India. Rani was known for her versatile acting, taking on challenging roles, and for being featured in Indian cinema's first on-screen kiss. She was part of the first star pairing in Bollywood, alongside Ashok Kumar. Rani is listed among the prominent actresses of the 1940s and earlier, contributing to the growth and evolution of Hindi cinema during its formative years.12

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Bollywood
Women in Bollywood
…are now remembered as trailblazers; Devika Rani, for instance, was known not only for playing difficult roles, such as a backward caste woman, but also for Indian cinema’s first on-screen kiss. Sridevi is regarded as the first female superstar, matching the likes of Amitabh Bachchan in terms of star power.
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…are now remembered as trailblazers; Devika Rani, for instance, was known not only for playing difficult roles, such as a backward caste woman, but also for Indian cinema’s first on-screen kiss. Sridevi is regarded as the first female superstar, matching the likes of Amitabh Bachchan in terms of star power.
Read More