Remembering Nirmal Pandey, the enigma of Indian entertainment whose career was a masterclass in versatility. On this poignant anniversary of his passing, let’s delve into the accolade that made headlines worldwide: Best Actress at France’s Valenciennes Festival for ‘Daira’ in 1997.
As the sole male recipient of such an award, Pandey’s kinnar character in the poignant film—where genders flipped—earned critical acclaim. Paired with Sonali Kulkarni, the role reversal extended to awards, highlighting the film’s bold theme.
Born Rajkumar in Nainital, his acting itch started young amid local dramas. NSD polished his skills; London amplified them through 125 stage shows. Bollywood embraced him via ‘Bandit Queen”s raw intensity, opening doors to ‘Daayra’, ‘Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya’, and intense dramas like ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin’.
Pandey’s screen presence was magnetic, but TV stints as menacing villains in ‘Hatim’ and kids’ shows proved his breadth. His ‘Jazba’ album ventured into music. At 47, heart failure silenced him forever, but his global footprint as a pioneer lingers.