Mumbai, February 8: Hindi Cinema has gifted audiences with numerous artists whose unique styles and performances have left an indelible mark. One such actress is Nadira, famously known as the “Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Girl.” When discussions arise about bold characters, daring performances, and distinct personas, Nadira’s name is always at the forefront. She carved a niche for herself in the film industry during the 1950s and 60s with her remarkable acting skills.
Nadira’s death anniversary falls on February 9. Over her career, she appeared in more than 60 films, entertaining audiences for years. Born on December 5, 1932, in Israel to a Jewish family, her real name was Farhat Ezekiel. From a young age, Farhat was a tomboy, playing football and gilli-danda with boys. When her family faced tough times, they moved to Mumbai, where she began searching for work to support them.
In 1952, filmmaker Mehboob Khan was preparing for his film “Aan,” based on a royal family. The role of the rebellious princess was initially offered to Nargis, but due to her commitment to Raj Kapoor’s “Awara,” she couldn’t take on the role. Mehboob Khan was troubled by this, which he concealed by selecting Nadira instead.
Upon seeing Farhat, Mehboob Khan was captivated by her beauty and spirit. He renamed her Nadira and launched her alongside the legendary Dilip Kumar. In “Aan,” Nadira portrayed a bold and confident princess, contrasting sharply with the shy heroines of that era, which astonished audiences. The film was a hit, and Nadira became an overnight star. Following this, she appeared in “Nagma” in 1953, which featured popular songs, and in films like “Waris” and “Dak Babu” in 1954, and “Raftaar” and “Jalan” in 1955. However, her true recognition came in 1956 with Raj Kapoor’s “Shree 420,” where she played the role of Maya, and the song “Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Mud Mud Ke” became so popular that she was forever known as the “Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh Girl.” Nadira was also part of the iconic film “Pakeezah.”
Throughout her career, Nadira often played negative or villainous roles, portraying characters that ensnared the hero with their charm. Some of her notable films include “Choti Choti Batein,” “Kala Bazaar,” “Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,” “Pakeezah,” “Julie,” and “Sagar.”
Nadira worked alongside stars like Ashok Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, and Dev Anand, remaining active in the 80s and 90s with films such as “Swayamvar,” “Chaalbaaz,” “Aas Paas,” “Dahshat,” “Raste Pyar Ke,” “Moula Baksh,” “Laila,” “Jhoothi Shaan,” “Mahbooba,” “Godfather,” and “Josh.” She also appeared in television series like “Ek Tha Rusty” and “Margarita.”
Her personal life was tumultuous, with her first marriage to renowned poet Naksh Lailpuri ending in divorce, followed by a brief second marriage to Motilal Rajvansh that lasted only a week.
Nadira passed away on February 9, 2006. However, her iconic performances, bold persona, and contributions to Hindi cinema continue to resonate today.