Her notable works include New Delhi (1956), Chaudhary Karnail Singh (1960)—which won her the National Film Award for Best Actress—and Taj Mahal (1963).
officer during the British Raj, while her mother Dilaara Jaleel was a homemaker who came from a Lahore-based family.
[2] Jalil was discovered by actors Nigar Sultana and Dilip Kumar who were the guests in her college's cultural function; they suggested her to pursue a career in acting.
[3] Jalil made her acting debut with a leading role in Raat Ke Rahi (1953), opposite Shammi Kapoor.
She went on to play supporting characters in successful films such as New Delhi (1956) and Taj Mahal (1963).