In today’s weekend blog, I am writing about a Bollywood actress who was active in late 1940s and 1950s. She retired when she was on the peak of her career, and after that, she returned only once to the silver screen when she acted in her brother’s film in the late 1960s. Friends, her name was NARGIS.
She was born on 1st June 1929. Her real name was Fatima Rashid. She made her screen debut in a minor role at the age of six with Talash-E Haq (1935). As a leading lady, her first film was Taqdeer (1943). She was also part of Raj Kapoor’s first film as producer/director, Aag (1948) as one of the leading ladies. She had her breakthrough with Andaz (1949) co-starring Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, and Raj Kapoor’s Barsaat (1949). She followed this with roles in 1950 films Meena Bazaar, Jogan, Jaan Pehchan, Babul and Aadhi Raat. Both Jogan and Babul were box office hits. Following this, she starred in Hulchal and Deedar (1951). Raj Kapoor’s Awara also came in 1951, where she played the lead role.
In 1952 she starred in the romantic film Bewafa, psychological drama Anhonee. She then starred in Amber. Her 1953 films were Dhoon and Aah, and both were not major success. Her only film in 1954 was Angarey.
Nargis revived her career with Raj Kapoor’s Shri 420 (1955). The film was a blockbuster, emerging as the highest-grossing film in India at the time. She once collaborated with Raj Kapoor for the box office success Chori Chori (1956). She had a special appearance in Raj Kapoor’s Jaagte Raho.
In 1957, she appeared in Mehboob Khan’s Oscar-nominated epic drama Mother India, which won her Filmfare award for the best actress. Mother India is generally regarded as her best performance. In 1957, she acted in Pardesi. In 1958 she appeared in Lajwanti. In the 1950s she was ranked as the top actress.
She made her last film appearance in Raat Aur Din (1967). For this film, she won the inaugural national Award for Best Actress.
Nargis was romantically involved with Raj Kapoor for many years. They could not get married as Raj Kapoor was already married and was having three children by mid 1950s. As Raj Kapoor was not willing to divorce his wife, they got separated, and Jagte Raho was their last film together. In all, they acted in 16 films together-Dhoon (1953), Amber (1952),Anhonee (1952), Jaan Pehchan (1950) Bewafa (1952) Awara (1951), Shri 420 (1955) Jaagte raho (1956), Andaz (1949), Barsaat (1949), aah (1953), 12 Aag (1948), Ashiana (1952), Pyar (1950) Paapi (1953) and Chori Chori (1956)
She married Sunil Dutt (who played her son in Mother India) in 1958. They had three children: son Sanjay Dutt (film actor), and two daughters, Namrata and Priya. She died on 3rd May 1981(aged 51) due to Cancer. She was nominated to Rajya Sabha, and awarded the Padma Shri (1958).
Here aretop songs of Nargis with their YouTube link
1 Kaahe Koyal Shor Machaye Re, Mujhe Apna Koi Yaad Aaye Re– Aag 1958 (Film-F), Shamashad Begum (Singer-S), Behzad Lakhnavi (Lyricist-L), Ram Ganguly (Music director-MD)
https://youtu.be/MTp6ad97wgc?si=OWOL2e_rYpix70wB
2 Mujhe Kisise Pyar Ho Gaya– Barsaat 1949 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).
https://youtu.be/2OV5Xiiy61I?si=FGjVYHZ0br32VC8E
3 Aajao Tadapte Hain Armaan , Ab Raat Gujarnewali Hai-Awara 1951 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/tJA4oz4Of2s?si=45DxyKvNQELHQrnJ
4 Rasik Balma, Hai Dil Kyun Lagaya-Chori Chori 1956 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD)
https://youtu.be/d_3YWkxLI7s?si=2SibXzWwzrhw-2vx
5 Aaja Sanam Madhur Chandani Mein Hum- Chori Chori 1956 (F), Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Hasraat Jaipuri(L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On Screen with Raj Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/arOaGZ839fs?si=xT_GfhtEnqrefdKR
6 Pyar Hua, Ikraar Hua, Pyar Se Phir kyun Darta Hai Dil- Shri 420 1955 (F), Manna Dey & Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On Screen with Raj Kapoor.
https://youtu.be/4SMaiEMs3e8?si=90XGyNU3RbYGsHkb
7 Jaago Mohan Pyare Jaago- Jaagte Raho 1956 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shailendra (L), Salil Choudhary (MD)
https://youtu.be/RfujgHkrBGU?si=tDMEoNnABmwcSg4j
8 O Mere Laal Aaja, Tujhko Gale Laga Loon– Mother India 1958 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Naushad (MD)
https://youtu.be/KKBj1jLkxvU?si=8ZdyRaFc4Iuib1c6
9 Koi Aaya Dhadkan Kehti Hai– Laajwanti 1958 (F), Asha Bhosle (S), Majrooh Sultanpuri (L), SD Burman (MD)
https://youtu.be/n6zruk6lMtA?si=kDEQKFZUUFQbnHNj
10 Yun Hasraton Ke Daag, Mohabbat Mein Dho Liye– Adalat 1958 (F), Lata Mangeshkar (S), Rajinder Krishan (L), Madan Mohan (MD)
https://youtu.be/i0XYKC2YQ9w?si=JgrluHEl6Bkt5Sgk
11 Dil Ki Girah Khol Do Chup Na Baitho Koi Geet Gaao– Raat Aur Din 1967 (F), Lata Mangeshkar & Manna Dey (S), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD), On Screen with Feroze Khan.
https://youtu.be/tKBFf6tdTWs?si=Xs0f0FgINZJA3A8F
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
13th March 2026