Nafisa Ali is an acclaimed Indian actress, social activist, star swimmer, former beauty queen, and politician. Known for her otherworldly beauty and a gentle and humble persona, she was national swimming champion from 1972 to 1974 and Miss India 1976.
I am angered by the events in Bangladesh. It’s heartbreaking to see innocent Hindu families being targeted & attacked. I strongly condemn any form of violence, hate, discrimination against minorities.
Nafisa Ali
Early Life
Nafisa Ali was born on January 18, 1957, at Baratajpur, a village near Janai and Begampur, of Hooghly district. She hails from a diverse and culturally rich background. Her father, Ahmed Ali, son of prominent Bengali writer S. Wajid Ali, was a reputed photographer. Nafisa’s mother Philomena Torresan is an Anglo-Indian lady. Her brother, Niaz Ali is a motor rallyist. Her mother and brother are now settled in Australia. Nafisa’s paternal aunt (father’s sister) was Zaib-un-Nissa Hamidullah, an eminent Pakistani journalist and feminist leader.
Nafisa attended La Martiniere, Calcutta, where she was a house captain and a star swimmer. She was the national swimming champion from 1972 to 1974. She won the Miss India title in 1976 and went on to represent the country at the Miss International pageant and become the 2nd runner-up.
Acting Debut of Nafisa Ali
Her entry into Hindi films was remarkable, with Rishi Kapoor playing a crucial role. He saw her photo on the cover of The Junior Statesman, a popular magazine of that time, and showed it to his father, Raj Kapoor. Raj Kapoor offered her “Bobby” which she declined.
Nafisa Ali made her acting debut in the Shashi Kapoor’s critically acclaimed period drama “Junoon” (1978), directed by Shyam Benegal.
In the film, set against the backdrop of the Indian Rebellion of 1857, she played an English girl, Ruth Labadoor. When the rebelion breakout an Indian man sheltered her against the wishes of his family and friends. She was widely praised for her beauty and acting in the somewhat difficult role.
Hiatus and Later Career
Despite the film’s success and cult status, she did not do another film until 1998’s Mejor Saab, starring Amitabh Bacchan. In the ensemble cast film Life in a… Metro (2007), Nafisa played the role of Shibani, an old lady who met her former lover Dharmendra (Amol) after 40 years. Their reunion after years apart is a tender portrayal of enduring love and the idea that it’s never too late to rediscover happiness.
In Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish (2010), Nafisa portrayed Ethan Mascarenhas’s mother, played by Hrithik Roshan. Her role in Guzaarish was brief but powerful, contributing to the emotional depth of the film.
She goes on to do a few more films like Bewafaa (2005), Lahore (2010), and Yamla Pagla Deewana (2010) with Dharmendra and Uunchai (2022) with Amitabh Bachchan. She has also acted in a Malayalam film, Big B (2007), with Mammootty.
Nafisa Ali was a jockey at the Calcutta Gymkhana in 1979. She briefly tried selling tea at a railway station as a fun experiment in her youth. Nafisa Ali currently runs her boutique named “APPNA” after her family members.
Personal Life of Nafisa Ali
Nafisa Ali married to Colonel Ravinder Singh Sodhi, a polo player and a Arjuna Awardee. After marriage, she chose to stop working and focus on their children: daughters Armana and Pia and son Ajit.
Nafisa is a cancer warrior. In November 2018, Ali was diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer. Her battle with cancer and her resilience in the face of adversity have been an inspiration to many.
Apart from her acting prowess, Nafisa Ali is recognised for her commitment to social causes. She advocates the issues like the environment, women’s rights, and education. She is also the part of Action India, an organisation working to spread AIDS awareness.
Nafisa Ali on IMDB
