Roohi Bano

Roohi Bano was a Pakistani actress and model who rose to fame for her distinctive looks and style. She worked with some of the biggest brands in Pakistani fashion and won the Pride of Performance award in 1981. She also acted in many TV dramas, such as Kiran Kahani, Zard Gulab, and Darwaza, and earned many accolades for her performances. She was known as the Queen of Melancholy because of her portrayal of mournful and pessimistic roles. She belonged to a musical family and was the daughter of tabla player Alla Rakha and half-sister of Zakir Hussain. She married twice but both of her marriages were unsuccessful. She had one son who was murdered in 2005, which left her devastated and mentally unstable. She suffered from schizophrenia and diabetes and spent some years at a rehabilitation centre in Lahore. She died in Istanbul on 25 January 2019 due to kidney failure. She was 67 years old. Her death sparked an outpouring of grief and tributes from the entertainment industry and beyond. She was praised for breaking the stereotypes of beauty in Pakistan and empowering darker-skinned women. She was described as stunning, unapologetic, professional, and talented by her colleagues and friends.