Biography of Nargis

(June 1, 1929 - May 3, 1981)

Nargis was born in 1929 to Jaddanbai and Mohan Babu. At the age of fourteen, Nargis made her debut in Mehboob Khan's film ‘Taqdeer'. In 1948, she was paired for the first time with Raj Kapoor in his directorial venture Aag

She achieved her first major success with Mehboob Khan's film ‘Andaaz'. Her next film "Barsaat' too was a success. The films ‘Awara', 'Shri 420' and ‘Anhonee' too were enduring melodramas, remembered till today.

After going through a phase of personal crises, facing a relationship turmoil with Raj Kapoor, Nargis triumphed in Mehboob Khan's Mother India', probably the best role tailored for a particular heroine. The film Mother India' immortalised Nargis. Nargis married Sunil Dutt who had played the role of her son in the film. She received the Padma Shri, the first for a film personality. Later she became a member of the Rajya Sabha. She died of cancer in 1981.