Nargis or Fatima Rashid aka Nirmala Dutt was a legendary Indian film actress born in a Muslim-Punjabi family hailing from Calcutta. Her father Mohyal Tyagi was a converted Muslim and was famous by the name of Abdul Rashid while her mother Jaddabai was a Muslim immigrant settled in the region of Punjab. After their marriage, the family shifted to Allahabad where Jaddanbai was a courtesan and a classical music singer. She is the one who introduced Fatima (Nargis) to the movie culture.
Professional Life:
Although she made her debut at a tender age of 6 years in 1935 with the movie Talash-E-Haq, yet it was only in 1942 that her career kickstarted with Phani Majumdar's Tamanna. She starred in many popular films such as Awaara, Lahore, Aag, Bewafaa, Yaadien, Adalat, Meena Bazaar, Andaz, Barsaat, Shree 420 and many more. The next two decades were the golden era for Nargis and her fans. She appeared in critically acclaimed commercial films many of which were with the evergreen Raj Kapoor.
In 1957's Mother India, Nargis delivered one of her best performances in the role of Radha. She was even awarded the Best Actress trophy at the Filmfare Awards and this movie was nominated for the Academy Awards. The next year brought wedding bells for Nargis with her co-star Sunil Dutt on 11 March 1958. After the marriage, Nargis decided to leave the industry and concentrate on her family life though she frequently appeared in films. Her last film Raat Aur Din was released in 1967 and was based on a woman suffering from multiple personality disorders. The movie became very popular and she even received a Filmfare in the Best Actress Award category. She became a proud mother to 3 kids - Sanjay, Priya and Namrata.
With her husband, Nargis founded the Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe to entertain the brave soldiers in the remote frontiers with several leading singers and actors. The Spastic Society of India renowned Nargis as their first ever patron in the 1970's. In 1980's she was also nominated in the Rajya Sabha nominations.
Not much later, the iron lady of the golden era was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Her treatment began in New York's Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center however, when she returned to India, her condition deteriorated further. Even after 5 operations, it was on 2nd of May 1981 when she went into come and the next day, Nargis left her loved ones with her memories.Nargis breathed her last on 3rd of May 1981 due to pancreatic cancer. She was given a traditional Muslim burial.
Epilogue:
It was her dream to see his son Sanjay act, Ironically, she passed away a few days before the release of Rocky - her son Sanjay Dutt's debut movie. Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation was established in New York in 1982 in her fond memory. It has now collaborated with Healing Little Hearts NGO of Britain. Not only this, the award for the Best Feature Film in the Annual National Film Awards Ceremony was renamed as the Nargis Dutt Award in her remembrance and honour.
The great actress Nargis is undoubtedly one of the most inspirational, powerful and impactful actresses in Indian Cinema. Sanjay Dutt was very close to his mom. She was the one who used to call him 'Baba'. Sanjay almost went into depression and drugs after the loss but crossed the hurdles and dedicated his success to his mom. In an interview he said, "I miss my mother all the time. As I remember her each time, everything comes to me in flashes,". He even expressed himself on the social media and wished her Nargis a very happy birthday with this tweet:"Wishing my mom a lovely birthday. May god bless her soul. I know wherever she is, she must be happy. Love you ma."Recently, on her 86th birth anniversary, Google came up with a doodle especially dedicated to Nargis.
Children: Sanjay Dutt, Priya Dutt, Namrata Dutt
Grandchildren: Sumair Roncon, Siddharth Roncon, Saachi, Siya, Trishala Dutt, Iqra Dutt, Shahraan Dutt
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