Google is known for its honorary homepage Doodle section, in which it pays homage to inspirational icons from around the world.
Today, Nov. 12, marks what would've been legendary Egyptian actress Hind Rostom's 87th birthday ... and Google gave Arabs a special doodle in her honor.
Born to a Turkish father and an Egyptian mother in 1931, the "Marilyn Monroe of the East" - one of her many titles - grew up loving all that is art. Originally Nariman Hussein Murad, she started her career in 1947 as an extra in the movie "Azhar wa Ashwak" (Flowers and Thorns) ... and carried on as an extra in 20 other movies.
It wasn't until 1955 that Rostom showed her great potential and talent as a legendary actress by working with Egyptian director Hassan Imam's. Imam adopted Rostom as an actress, writing many movies just for her to star in.
The first and most famous movie Imam wrote and directed for Rostom was "Banat Al Leil" (Girls of the Night) which proved to be a huge success. The duo ended up collaborating on over 10 movies, all of which were a hit.
Reaching all countries in the Arab region, the doodle caught the attention of social media users and publications.
People were happy to see Google remembering Rostom and her great cinematic works that helped polishing the golden era of Egyptian cinema.
She was the queen indeed
"Hind starred in over 80 films"
"Thank you for showing us what it means to be passionate, fierce, and classy"
We thank Google for this doodle
The Marilyn Monroe of the East
A brief history of Hind Rostom's great work
Rostom died at the age of 82 in Cairo on Aug. 8, 2011 after suffering from a heart attack.
She won many international awards for her works, but her most important one is that received during Vienna International Film Festival for her role in the 1957 film "Nisa' fi Hayati" (Women in My Life).
Another award she held dear was the one from Egyptian Film Critics Association (EFCA) for her role in the 1975 film "Al Gaban Wal Hob" (The Coward and Love).
After starring in over 80 movies, alongside some of Egypt's greatest actors like >Omar Sherif and Rushdy Abaza, she decided to retire in 1979 - at the age of 32 - and no new movie succeeded in bringing her back to the screen.
In 2002, she was offered over one million Egyptian pounds ($55,800) "for her life story to be turned into a drama series," to which she famously replied "my life is not for sale."