Remember the vamp who made heroes weak at the knees? Nadira, eternally linked to ‘Mud Mud Ke Na Dekh,’ was Hindi film’s boldest voice. As we mark her 18th death anniversary on February 9, her story unfolds like a classic screenplay—full of drama, defiance, and dazzling debuts.
Born in 1932 in what is now Israel, tomboy Farhat Ezekiel shunned femininity for boyish adventures. Family migration to India thrust her into Mumbai’s grind. Then, in 1952, director Mehboob Khan sought a replacement for Nargis in Aan. Smitten by her vibe, he named her Nadira and launched her with Dilip Kumar. Her princess—fiery, flirtatious—dazzled, making Aan a smash.
The 1950s were her playground. Nagin (1953), Waris, Dak Babu (1954), Raftaar, Jalan (1955), and the game-changer Shri 420 (1956), where her Maya and that song birthed her nickname. Pakeezah gleamed in her filmography too.
Nadira owned the dark side: vamps in Chhoti Chhoti Baatein, Kala Bazaar, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Julie, Sagar. She tangoed with legends—Ashok Kumar, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand—delivering unforgettable chemistry.
Into the 80s-90s, she thrived in Swayanvar, Aas Paas, Raaste Pyar Ke, Laila, Mahbooba, Josh. TV triumphs included Ek Tha Rusty and Margarita.
Life off-screen? Rocky marriages—to Naksh Lailapuri (divorced) and Motilal Rajvansh (one week). She departed this world on February 9, 2006.
Nadira’s spark lives on, a testament to cinema’s power to immortalize the unconventional.