The Hindi film industry’s bygone golden age gifted us legends like Nimi, originally Nawab Bano, whose journey from humble beginnings to cinematic glory is nothing short of inspiring. Marking her jayanti on February 18, we delve into the whimsical origin of her birth name and her unforgettable performance as Mangla in ‘Aan’.
Hailing from Agra’s Muslim community, Nimi’s grandfather dreamed of British knighthood as a Nawab. His wish unfulfilled, he seized the moment of her birth. Amid family celebrations, he joyfully commanded, ‘Call her Nawab – my title at last!’ Brushing aside the fact she was a daughter, the name stuck, later softened to Nawab Bano by her doting grandmother.
Raj Kapoor, spotting her purity, renamed her Nimi for his debut directorial ‘Barsaat’. Her filmography boasts masterpieces: ‘Deedar’, ‘Aan’, ‘Udan Khatola’, and more. In ‘Aan’, Mehboob Khan’s 1952 blockbuster, Nimi’s Mangla – a feisty rural beauty – stole hearts. The movie’s global bow as ‘Savage Princess’ at London’s Rialto saw Nimi shine on the world stage.
Earnest in her ethos, Nimi earned the moniker ‘India’s Unkissed Girl’ for avoiding on-screen kisses throughout her career. She rebuffed a Hollywood director’s advance at the premiere, prioritizing dignity. Despite early hardships – losing her mother young, no school education – Raj Kapoor’s faith launched her. He won her trust with a rakhi ritual during ‘Barsaat’ auditions.
Nimi’s tale is a beacon of perseverance. In an industry of glamour, she stood for substance, leaving an indelible mark on Indian cinema.