Known as the “Resident Sister”, Nazima carved a niche playing the supportive sibling or loyal friend, her big expressive eyes and warm smile leaving a mark on an era brimming with melodrama and music. Some of her famous films include Oomar Qaid, Gazal, April Fool, Nishan, Arzoo, Aaye Din Bahar Ke, Aurat and many more.
Early Life and Career
Nazima was born Mehr-un-Nissa on March 25, 1948, in Nashik, Maharashtra. His father’s name was Nadir Shah, while her mother was Sofia. Her grandmother, Sharifa Bai, was a star of the 1930s silent era. Her paternal aunt, Husn Bano, was also a prominent actress in the 1940s. Nazima’s schooling took place in Mumbai, where she attended The Anjuman Islam Girls High School.
She made her debut at the age of 6 as “Baby Chand” in the 1953 film Laila Majnu. The same year she starred in Amiya Chakrabarty’s Patita (1953), followed by Bimal Roy’s Biraj Bahu (1954) and Devdas (1955). Some of her other films as a child artist include Raj Mahal (1953), Baap Beti (1954), Rishta (1954), Garm Coat (1955), Parivar (1956), and Ab Dilli Dur Nahin (1957).
Nazima The Lead
Her heroine debut came at 13 in “Umar Qaid (1961)“, directed by her uncle Aspi Irani—a gritty tale where she starred opposite Sudhir. She was barely a teen when she became the heroine and was looked ethereal in the song “Mujhe Raat Din Yeh Khayal Hai”.
Some reports suggest that her first film as heroine was “Princess Saaba” in 1958, which seems unlikely as she was only 10 years old at that time. Some people believe that in “Princess Saaba”, the heroine was actress Najma, not Nazima; the similar names created the confusion.
Breakthrough
After her debut, she continued to do supporting roles in many films. One of her most memorable films was “Kan Kan Men Bhagwan (1963)” with Anita Guha and Mahipal. She also acted in “Ziddi (1964) “alongside Joy Mukherjee, and April Fool (1964) with Biswajeet. These hits paved the way for Ramanand Sagar’s “Arzoo (1965)“, a silver jubilee runner. In the film she played Rajendra Kumar’s sister, cementing her as Hindi cinema’s go-to sister. The industry typecast her, but she owned it, her sweetness turning side roles into something special.
In “Aaye Din Bahar Ke (1966),” as Asha Parekh’s best friend, she enters mid-film but owns her arc. Her marriage to Dharmendra unravels when she steps aside for true love. That Lata-Asha duet, “Aye Kaash Kisi Deewane Ko”, picturised on her, is pure nostalgia—her wistful grace steals it.
In “Aurat (1967)“, she was paired opposite Rajesh Khanna as an upright sister of Pran who goes against his brother to help Khanna. The song “Shola Ulfat Ka Bhadka Ke” captures her tender strength. In Anjaana (1969) she made us cry with her emotional “Hum Behanon Ke Liye”, a sibling anthem that tugs at the heart.
The Resident Sister
Her role as Manoj Kumar’s sister in Be-Imaan (1972) earned her a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress nod. The film had another evergreen rakhi number, “Yeh Rakhi Bandhan Hai Aisa.” Some of her other gems include Gazal (1964), Vidyapati (1964), Waris (1969), Doli (1969) Manchali (1973), Honeymoon (1973), Albeli (1974), Amir Garib (1974), Sanyasi (1975), and Badnaam (1975).
Nazima also played lead in a few films, like Nishan (1965) opposite Sanjeev Kumar, Dillagi (1966) opposite Vijay Kumar, Adhikar (1971) opposite Deb Mukherjee, Mere Bhaiya (1972) opposite Vijay Arora, Do Yaar (1972) opposite Shatrughan Sinha, and many more. She also starred as a lead in some low-budget films like Alam Ara (1973), Dayar-e-Madina (1975), and Ranga Khush (1975).
Personal Life
Nazima married Arshul Rehman, a captain in the Indian Navy—or a merchant sailor. Reports suggest that the couple had two sons, Rahbar and Rehaan. She joined Arshul on that Norwegian tanker, “m.t. Golar Bali”, ferrying oil across Indonesian ports.
Some reputed media sources reported that she was diagnosed with cancer in the mid-1970s and passed away on Dec 20, 1975. All these news proved to be false. Her close friend and confidante, famous actress and TV personality Tabassum Ji, said in her program that she is very much alive, and doing well.
Nazima passed away on August 11, 2025, at age 77. Reports suggest old-age issues as the cause, though details remain unconfirmed. The news emerged two days after her death.
Nazima on IMDB
