Stardom in Bollywood means lights cameras and a lot of love. But this world also has a dark truth. Many stars shine bright and then suddenly fade away. One such story is that of Cuckoo Moray. When item dances are discussed Helen is probably the first person to come to mind. But Cuckoo Moray was the beauty who helped Helen establish herself in the industry. Hindi cinemas first glamour girl whose life was no less than a film. Her entry on screen would bring whistling crowds the theater would erupt in applause and filmmakers would line up for a glimpse of her. But fate took such a turn that the same Cuckoo who once traveled in three cars found herself starving in her final days. Bollywoods first dancing queen It was the 1940s and 50s and Cuckoo Morays charisma was at its peak in Bollywood. She debuted in 1946 with Arab Ka Sitara and then the demand for her dancing increased in each film. At one point Cuckoo Moray charged 6000 rupees for a single song. Imagine a time when even prominent actors dreamed of earning that much. Cuckoo earned this much in just one performance. The most expensive dancer in the glamour world Her style her confidence and her screen presence were all superstar-like. Andaz Barsaat Patanga Anokhi Ada… any film in which Cuckoo appeared was sure to be a hit. She owned three luxury cars one of which was reserved solely for her pets. Glamour radiated in her every move. Fate took a turn But the rules of the film industry are clear: glittering things dont last long. After 1963 the style of item numbers changed and Cuckoo Moray stopped getting work. Gradually her money dried up her identity began to fade and her circumstances became so dire that she went to the vegetable market and cooked food by collecting discarded leaves and stalks. Cancer worsened her condition. She had no money for medicines and food was hard to come by. Finally on September 30 1981 Cuckoo Moray departed this world silently alone and in immense pain.