She had everyone at hello. Some people simply win over the world with their inherent charm and Nargis was one such. She was seen as the epitome of the modern Indian woman. Her Eurasian features made her equally at ease in Western dresses as well as Indian traditional attire. Her irresistible combination of stardom, beauty and acting panache made her the sureshot draw at the box-office. Her legendary romance with Raj Kapoor made headlines then and has become part of India’s urban legend since. She possessed a mighty heart, which bled for the unprivileged. Throughout her life she tried to bring light to those condemned to live in the dark.
Fatima Rashid aka Nargis was six when her mother Jaddanbai, introduced her to the film industry. Here she celebrates her 17th birthday on the set of her film
Wonder woman
Nargis was just 14 when she was cast opposite veteran Motilal in Taqdeer (1943) But she impressed him with her perfect and natural takes.
Nargis and Raj Kapoor were rumoured to be in a relationship. Here you see Nargis singing as Raj plays the dholak during Holi at RK Studio.
Later, she formed a formidable pair with Dilip Kumar in Mela (1948), Andaz (1949), Jogan (1950) and Deedar (1951). Raj Kapoor, a connoisseur of talent, poached her away to his camp. He made her the heroine of Aag, his first film as a director (1948). The duo did 15 more films together.
Nargis and Raj travelled to Hollywood to receive an honour for their contribution to cinema. Here, they pose with the Vice President of Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studio, Mr LK Sidney and Academy Award nominee Eileen Evelyn Greer Garson.
Love match
The on-screen couple Raj and Nargis were said to be in love off screen as well. Apparently, she considered RK Studio as her second home. Such was her dedication that she even used to paint background murals on the sets and consult in lighting too.
Nargis sharing a warm moment with Raj Kapoor’s older daughter Ritu.
Legend goes that Raj first met Nargis when she, while making pakoras, came to open the door for him with her hands smeared in batter. The situation was later used by Raj in the teenage romance Bobby (1970) .
Mother India fetched the country’s first ever Academy Award nomination in 1957. It also won Nargis the Filmfare Best Actress Award. Here, she’s seen backstage with other winners Dilip Kumar (Best Actor - Naya Daur), Shyama (Best Supporting Actress - Sharada).
Nuptial knot
She knew her fairy tale romance was just that as Raj was already married and would never have left his wife Krishna. Nargis even allegedly met politician Morarji Desai to seek his help in legally marrying Raj. Their affair was hanging by a thread when destiny took a turn for the better.
Nargis presents Prime Minister Mrs Indira Gandhi a cheque of `1,60,000 on behalf of an association for the widows and orphans of the jawaans killed in the Indo Pak war.
She was caught in a fire while shooting for Mother India and co-star Sunil Dutt, who was playing her son, risked his life to save her. Soon, love blossomed and she accepted when he proposed.
Sunil Dutt and Nargis fell in love on the set of Mother India. The set had caught fire and Sunil risked his life to save her. He was hospitalised and Nargis would visit him everyday. They got hitched in 1958.
Their first child, Sanjay Dutt, was born on July 29, 1959. Daughters Namrata and Priya soon followed. She gave up acting after marriage and only did Raat Aur Din (1967) where she played a double role and got the National Award for it.
Sunil, Nargis and Eurasian actress Ko-Ann on a yacht in Cannes Harbour. Sunil had showcased his film Mujhe Jeene Do (1964) there.
Charity drive
Nargis took to charity after giving up films. She became the patron of Spastics Society Of India at the behest of Indira Gandhi.
She died of pancreatic cancer on May 3, 1981 and didn’t get to see son Sanjay Dutt make it big on screen. A seat was left empty at the première of his debut film Rocky (1981) as a mark of respect.
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