Farhat Ezekiel Nadira, also known as Florence, was a remarkable individual, born on December 5, 1932, in Nagpada, South Mumbai, a predominantly Muslim and Jewish locality. At the tender age of 19, she made a bold entry into the Indian film industry, Bollywood, with the movie The Savage Princess (1952),opposite the heartthrob of the times, Dilip Kumar.
Nadira's striking features, including her glowing skin and European looks, made her a sought-after actress, particularly for her roles in movies that were to be dubbed into English. Her feisty and boisterous personality enabled her to take on not only leading roles but also negative roles, showcasing her versatility as an actress.
Some of her most notable performances include her roles in Elaan, Shree 420 (1955),Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960),and Julie (1975),for which she won the award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued to appear in character roles, adding poise and dignity to her performances, even in television serials like Thoda Sa Aasman, which is widely regarded as one of the best television performances ever.
Despite her success and popularity, Nadira led a lonely life, having experienced two failed marriages. She lived alone in her flat in Vasundhara building, South Mumbai, where she maintained a small but well-stocked library, which friends and neighbors would borrow from.
Shobha, her maid, took care of her, especially when she entertained friends like Tanuja, Nimmi, Shyama, Deepti Naval, and model-turned-actor Milind Soman, who acted with her in a tele-serial. Nadira celebrated her birthday on December 5 every year, hosting children from the neighborhood and serving them biryani and cakes.
Nadira struggled with various illnesses, including tubercular meningitis, paralysis, and an alcoholic liver disorder, which resulted from her heavy drinking. She was hospitalized on January 2nd and passed away on January 8th at the age of 74, due to a cardiac seizure at Bhatia Hospital in Mumbai.
