Renowned theatre actress, director, and playwright, Nadira Babbar has made significant contributions to Indian theatre and cinema in a career spanning several decades. Her journey is a testament to her dedication, talent, and passion for the performing arts.
Early Life
Nadira Babbar was born Shameen Sajjad Zaheer on January 20, 1948, in Mumbai into a family deeply rooted in the arts and literature. Her father, Sajjad Zaheer, was a prominent Urdu writer and a founding member of the Progressive Writers’ Association and the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA). Her mother, Razia Sajjad Zaheer, was also an Urdu writer and a teacher at Lucknow University. Nadira’s upbringing in such a culturally rich environment undoubtedly influenced her career path.
She graduated from the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi in 1971, where she was a gold medallist. She later received a scholarship to study at the Berliner Ensemble in Germany, where she had the opportunity to work with renowned directors like Grotowski and Peter Brook.
Theatre Career
Nadira Babbar’s theatre career began in earnest when she founded the theatre group Ekjute in 1981, a theatre group that has presented a wide range of plays exploring social and human issues. The group’s first production, Yahudi Ki Ladki, revived the Parsi theatre style and is considered one of its finest. The group is also known for performing Shanta Gandhi’s Bhavai-based musical “Jasma Odhan.”
Over the last 30 years, Ekjute has given Indian theatre over sixty plays, including Sandhya Chhaya, Look Back in Anger, Ballabpur Ki Roop Katha, Baat Laat Ki Halaat Ki, Bharam Ke Bhoot, Shabash Anarkali, Begum Jaan, Dayashankar Ki Diary, Sakku Bai, Suman Aur Sana, and Ji Jaisi Aapki Marzi.
Nadira’s work in theatre has been widely recognised and celebrated. She has directed and acted in numerous plays. Her collaboration with notable actors like Raj Babbar, Satish Kaushik, and Kirron Kher resulted in many enchanting performances.
Nadira Babbar in Films
Nadira occasionally works in films like Gurinder Chadha’s Bride and Prejudice (2004), M. F. Hussain’s Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004), Salman Khan’s Jai Ho, and Sunny Deol’s Ghayal Once Again. She also did a web series, The Married Woman (2021), directed by Sahir Raza on ZEE5.
Nadira made her directorial debut in 1989 with the TV series “Titliyan,” starring Sarita Joshi, Urmila Matondkar, and Alok Nath. She also directed the TV movies Dayashankar Ki Diary (2019), starring Ashish Vidyarthi, and Sakubai (2021), starring Sarita Joshi.
She also wrote dialogue for Rahul Rawail’s Samundar (1984) and Pankaj Parashar’s Ab Ayega Mazaa (1984).
Known for her hard-hitting and versatile performances, Nadira has made significant contributions to both stage and screen. She also earned accolades like the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award 1991 and the Newsmakers Achievers Awards 2022.
Personal Life
Nadira Babbar met the veteran actor Raj Babbar at the National School of Drama. They fell in love while working on the same theatre play. They married on November 21, 1975. The couple has two children, Juhi Babbar, born on July 20, 1979, and Arya Babbar, born on May 24, 1981. Her children Arya Babbar and Juhi Babbar are also into acting, as is her stepson Prateik Babbar.
Nadira has provided training to well-known actors such as Sushant Singh Rajput, Rakul Preet Singh, and Richa Chadda.
Nadira’s commitment to the arts goes beyond her own performances, as she has actively contributed to the promotion and development of theatre in India. Her enduring impact on the cultural landscape and her dedication to the performing arts make Nadira Babbar a revered figure in the realm of Indian entertainment.
Nadira Babbar on IMDB
