Let's remember yesteryear actress Nadira on her birth anniversary

Lucknow: Yesteryear actress Nadira was born on December 5, 1932. She does not only played lead roles but was also Bollywood's favorite vamp of that era.

She is best remembered for her performance in films of 1950s and 1960s such as Aan (1952), Shree 420 (1955), Pakeezah (1972) and Julie (1975).

She has also bagged Filmfare award for Best Supporting Actress.

Born to a Baghdadi Jewish family, Nadira was introduced to the film industry by Sardar Akhtar, wife of film director Mehboob Khan, in the film Aan.

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At the tender age of 19, She entered Bollywood with movie Aan opposite Dilip Kumar.

Nadira also played negative roles, for example the one in 'Elaan', and the one in Shree 420 (1955) containing the song "Mud mud ke na dekh mud mud ke...", which continues to be popular even now. And who can forget "Ajeeb dastan hai yeh..." from Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960), picturized on Nadira, Raaj Kumar and Meena Kumari.

Despite of her success and popularity, she led a lonely life. Two marriages ended in divorce. Her two siblings, both brothers, had migrated to the United States and Israeli respectively, and she lived alone in her South Mumbai flat in Vasundhara building.

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Nadira suffered from a variety of illnesses, including Tubercular Meningitis, & Paralysis. Her bout with heavy alcoholic drinking also resulted in alcoholic liver disorder. At the age of 74, Nadira lost her life.

She also acted in Television serials. One of them was Thoda Sa Aasman which has been rated as one of the best television performances ever, in which she plays the wife of Bollywood veteran actor, Shreeram Lagoo.