Person · Actor

Jillo

A trailblazing actress in early Indian cinema, Jillo navigates the shifting tides of the film industry as she transforms from a rising star into the beloved "Jilloo Maa," redefining the power of motherhood on screen.

Born

1905

Also:
Actress

Credits on file

Decades active

In short · Acting since 1928, 5 decades active, 24 credits.

Known for

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Biography

Jilloo was an Indian Hindi-language film actress born in 1905 in Bombay, India, as Zuleka Ebrahain. She appeared in several notable films, including *Mother India* and *Mughal-e-Azam*, two of the most successful Hindi films of the 1950s. In *Mother India*, she played the mother-in-law of the protagonist Radha, and in *Mughal-e-Azam*, she portrayed the mother of Anarkali. She also acted in other prominent films such as *Madhosh* and *Alam Ara*, the latter being India's first talkie film. Early in her career, she was credited under various names, including Jilloobai, Jillo, Jilloo, Zillu, Zilloo, or Zilloobai. Later, she became well known for her roles as a mother figure, earning her the affectionate title "Jilloo Maa."

Filmography · 24 of 24

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