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Nargis

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Nargis was one of the most famous actresses in the history of Hindi cinema.

Nargis Dutt 1993 stamp of India
Nargis Dutt 1993 stamp of India

She was known for playing strong and independent women in many different types of movies. Some of her films were funny, while others were serious dramas. People loved her because she could play many different kinds of characters. In 2011, a website called Rediff.com even called her the greatest Indian actress of all time. She was also one of the highest-paid actresses during the 1950s and 1960s.

Her journey in movies started when she was very young. She first appeared in a film called Talash-E-Haq in 1935 at only six years old. Her stage name, Nargis, is a Persian word for the daffodil flower. She had her first big leading role in the film Taqdeer in 1943. Later, she worked with a famous director named Raj Kapoor on many projects. They made many successful movies together, such as the crime drama Awaara in 1951. In that film, she played a brave lawyer who spoke her mind.

Nargis's life was full of big moments and great success.

Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt
Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt

One of her most important films was the epic drama Mother India in 1957. This movie was a huge hit and was even nominated for an Oscar. For her work in Mother India, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. She also became the first Indian to win a Best Actress prize at a festival in the Czech Republic. Her very last film was a drama called Raat Aur Din in 1967. For that role, she won the first-ever National Film Award for Best Actress.

Nargis had a very interesting personal life as well. She was born in Calcutta as Fatima Rashid on June 1, 1929. Her mother, Jaddanbai, was a famous singer and a pioneer in Indian movies. In 1958, Nargis married the actor Sunil Dutt. They had three children together, including the actor Sanjay Dutt. Nargis and Sunil also started a group called the Ajanta Arts Culture Troupe. This group held stage shows in border areas to share art with people.

Beyond acting, Nargis spent her time helping others in her community. She was a patron for The Spastic Society of India in the early 1970s. This work helped her become known as a social worker. In 1980, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, which is part of the Indian Parliament. Sadly, she died of pancreatic cancer in 1981. To remember her, her husband started the Nargis Dutt Memorial Cancer Foundation. Today, a special award for films about bringing people together is named the Nargis Dutt Award.

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File:Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt.jpg
Sunil Dutt and Nargis Dutt.jpg
File:Nargis Dutt 1993 stamp of India.jpg
Nargis Dutt 1993 stamp of India.jpg
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