Veteran actress Nazima, known for Arzoo, passes away at 77

Nazima made her film debut as Baby Chand in Do Bigha Zamin as a child artist who played the older of two sisters who were driven to school by rickshaw puller Balraj Sahni.

Actor Nazima, remembered as the quintessential sister and trusted friend to many heroes and heroines of the 1960s and ’70s, passed away at the age of 77 on Monday, August 11.

Born Mehrunnisa in Nashik on March 25, 1948, she lives in Dadar with her two sons. Nazima's aunt, Husn Bano, who was married to filmmaker Aspi Irani, was one of several women in the film industry.

An official statement confirming her demise read, “We are deeply saddened by the passing of actress Nazima, fondly remembered as the ‘Resident Sister’ of Hindi cinema. With her warm screen presence and expressive performances, she brought life to countless films of the 1960s and ’70s, including Arzoo (1965), Beimaan (1972), Prem Nagar (1974), and Anuraag (1972).”

It further highlighted her contribution, stating, “Nazima’s portrayals of caring, affectionate sisters became iconic, making her a beloved figure among audiences. Beyond her popular image, she was a versatile performer who could convey deep emotion with subtlety and grace. Her loss leaves a void in the world of cinema, but her legacy will live on through her memorable roles.”

Nazima made her film debut as Baby Chand in Do Bigha Zamin as a child artist who played the older of two sisters who were driven to school by rickshaw puller Balraj Sahni. After being found by Bimal Roy, she starred in Devdas as young Paro's classmate and in Biraj Bahu as Abhi Bhattacharya's sister. She was also featured in Raj Kapoor's kid-friendly adventure Ab Dilli Door Nahin.

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Later in her career, she acted alongside Rajesh Khanna in Aurat and Doli, opposite Sanjeev Kumar in Nishan ("Hai Tabassum Tera") and Raja Aur Runk ("O Firki Wali" and "Sang Basanti").

The film industry and her fans are mourning her passing, remembering her as a talented and warm-hearted artist whose presence lit up the screen. Her death marks the end of an era, but her work will continue to live in the hearts of those who cherished her performances.