Nadira, The Enchantress, was an actress and fashion icon, known for her daring and bold career choices and unconventional roles. Long before Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi owned their sexuality, there was Nadira, who did the same with unparalleled conviction and charisma. Some of her most memorable films include “Aan,” Shri 420,” “Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,” “Pakeezah,” “Julie,” and many more.
Early Life and Career
Nadira was born as Florence Ezekiel on December 5, 1932, in Baghdad, Iraq, into a Baghdadi Jewish family. Her family migrated to Bombay when she was an infant, in search of better business opportunities. She had two brothers, one of whom lived in the United States and the other in Israel.
Despite the challenges of adapting to a new country, Nadira’s family provided her with a supportive environment that nurtured her artistic inclinations. Nadira had a passion for acting since childhood and made her first appearance in cinema at the age of 10 or 11 in the film “Mauj (1943).”
The Arrival of Nadira
Her breakthrough came in 1952, when she got the role of a fierce Rajput princess with shades of grey in Mehboob Khan’s “Aan,” opposite Dilip Kumar. Reportedly, it was Khan’s wife, Sardar Akhtar, who noticed her in a function. Akhtar was so impressed by her beauty and personality that she recommended Nadira to her husband.
Nadira impressed the audiences with her powerful acting, beauty, grace, and charisma. The performance catapulted her to immense fame and established her as a prominent actress in the industry. After Aan, she acted in films like Nagma (1953), Waris (1954), Dak Babu (1954), Raftar (1954), Jalan (1955), Sipahsalar (1956), Sindbad Ki Beti (1958), Police (1958), and many more.
Nadira, The Enchantress
In 1955, she played the role of Maya, a rich socialite, in Raj Kapoor’s “Shree 420.” Her portrayal of Maya, a sophisticated and glamorous woman, was a stark contrast to the chaste leading ladies of the time. This role not only showcased her acting prowess but also cemented her status as a style icon. Her portrayal of Maya remains one of her most iconic roles.
Throughout her career, Nadira delivered several memorable performances that left a lasting impact on audiences and critics alike. She was often cast as a temptress or vamp, contrasting the chaste leading ladies of the time. She also played Christian or Anglo-Indian characters, reflecting her image as a Westernised woman.
In 1960 she starred with Kishore Sahu’s “Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,” with Meena Kumari and Raj Kumar. In the film, Nadira played the wife of Raj Kumar’s character, who gets jealous on finding out that her husband is in love with another woman. Her performance as a wife in a loveless marriage who gets bitter with her in-laws and husband gets her widespread acclaim.
Nadira was one of the highest-paid actresses of her era and one of the first Indian actresses to own a Rolls-Royce. She is known to have had a glamorous lifestyle and a bold personality.
The Transition
Throughout the 1960s, she continued to act, including in memorable ones like Gyara Hazar Ladkian (1962), Chhoti Chhoti Baatein (1965), Accident (1965), Hum Kahan Ja Rahe Hain (1966), Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968), Insaaf Ka Mandir (1969), Talash (1969), The Guru (1969), Bombay Talkie (1970), Chetna (1970), Safar (1970), Anokha Daan (1972), Ek Nazar (1972), and Hanste Zakhm (1973), among others.
In 1972 she acted in Kamal Amrohi’s epic “Pakeezah (1972),” as Gauhar Jan, the guardian of Sahib Jan played by Meena Kumari. It’s interesting to note that Gauhar Jan was supposed to be the aunt of Meena Kumari, but when the shooting for the movie restarted, Nadira couldn’t join the cast due to some reasons. Amrohi then cast Veena as Nawab Jaan, and inserted a dialauge “about Sahib Jab will known as the niece of Gauhar Jan to hide her identity, when she shifted to Gulabi Mahal.” This change justifies the already shot portion of the film. The resulting role of Veena went on to become one of the most beloved and powerful character roles of all time.
Later Career
In 1975, Nadira won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Margaret, Julie’s mother, in “Julie,” directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. Her role as a dominating mother dealing with the pregnancy of her teenage daughter was the highlight of the movie.
Later in her career, she cut off his work and acted in selected movies like Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979), Professor Pyarelal (1981), Taqdeer (1983), Raaste Pyar Ke (1982), Ashanti (1982), Saagar (1985), Khilaaf (1990), Jhoothi Shaan (1991), Laila (1991), Mehbooba (1992), Tamanna (1997), Cotton Mary (1999), and Josh (2000).
She also acted in iconic TV serials like Kim (1984), Ek Tha Rusty (1995), and Margarita (1997).
Legacy Of Nadira
Beyond her acting skills, Nadira was also a fashionista and had impeccable fashion sense. She carried herself with an air of grace, and her wardrobe choices were a reflection of her refined taste. Whether draped in a glamorous saree or adorned in western attire, Nadira was a style icon of her era.
In her later years, Nadira lived alone in Mumbai, as most of her relatives had moved to Israel. She suffered from various health problems, including tubercular meningitis, alcoholic liver disorder, and paralysis.
She died on 9 February 2006, at the age of 73, at the Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai, following a prolonged illness.
Nadira will always be remembered for her bold and unconventional roles that broke the stereotypes of the time. She was a trailblazer who, in a career of over five decades, left the cinegoers mesmerised with her memorable performances and distinctive screen presence.
Nadira on IMDB
