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Actress Nimmi: Nawab Bano to Nimmi Wiki, Biography

Actress Nimmi was born on February 18th, 1933. Born as Nawab Bano, Nimmi was her filmy name that was given by Raj Kapoor.

Nawab Bano was born into a Muslim household in Agra. Her mother, Wahidan, was a singer and actor.

Actress Nimmi has a lot of connections in the film industry. Abdul Hakim, Nimmi’s father, was a military contractor. Nimmi’s grandfather gave her the surname “Nawab,” while her grandmother added “Bano.”

Actress Nimmi

Nimmi remembered visiting Bombay as a child and her mother being friendly with Mehboob Khan and his family, who were prominent and powerful in the film industry back then.

Nimmi’s mother died unexpectedly while she was only eleven years old. Her father worked in Meerut and had another family; by this time, he had little contact with Nimmi’s mother.

As a result, Nimmi was moved to live with her maternal grandmother in Abbottabad, near Rawalpindi. In 1947, India was partitioned, and Abbottabad was given to Pakistan.

Nimmi’s grandmother relocated to Mumbai. Jyoti (Nimmi’s Aunt), a former actress, married G. M. Durrani, a well-known Indian playback singer, actor, and music director.

Actress Nimmi rose to prominence in films such as Barsaat, Deedar, Aan, Udan Khatola, and Basant Bahar. Nimmi Madhubala and Dileep Kumar were very close friends back then. This was the reason Madhubala used to tell Nimmi everything about her heart. Madhubala was aware of Nimmi’s knowledge.

Read- Guru Dutt, An Unsuccessful Marriage and Love Story

Actress Nimmi (Nawab Bano) details

CategoryDetails
Full NameNawab Bano
Screen NameNimmi
Date of BirthFebruary 18, 1933
Place of BirthAgra, United Provinces, British India (now Uttar Pradesh, India)
Date of DeathMarch 25, 2020
Place of DeathMumbai, Maharashtra, India
Age at Death87 years
Cause of DeathCardiac arrest following prolonged illness (breathing difficulties) (Times of India, March 26, 2020)
NationalityIndian
EthnicityIndian (Muslim background)
FatherAbdul Hakim (military contractor for British Army)
MotherWahidan (singer, actress, tawaif, known as Wahidan Bai)
Maternal AuntJyoti (actress, married to playback singer G.M. Durrani)
GrandfatherSmall zamindar; named her “Nawab” aspiring for the title (Filmfare, 1993)
GrandmotherCalled her “Bano”; moved with Nimmi to Mumbai post-Partition (Wikipedia)
Marital StatusMarried
HusbandS. Ali Raza (screenwriter, married 1965 until his death on November 1, 2007)
ChildrenNone biologically; adopted and raised her late sister’s son as per her dying wish (India.com, 2025)
Height5’2″ (1.57 m, per IMDb)
Hair ColorBlack
Eye ColorDark Brown (noted for expressive “saucer-shaped” eyes)
ProfessionActress
Active Years1949–1965 (main career); last film 1986
Debut FilmBarsaat (1949, Hindi, second lead)
Total FilmsOver 50
Breakout RoleNeela in Barsaat (1949, innocent mountain shepherdess)
Major HitsBarsaat (1949), Deedar (1951), Aan (1952), Daag (1952), Amar (1954), Basant Bahar (1956)
Last FilmLove and God (1986, incomplete, released posthumously)
AwardsCritics’ Award for Best Actress (Bhai Bhai, 1957)
Nickname“The Unkissed Girl of India” (after rejecting Hollywood kissing scenes, India.com, 2025)
Discovered ByRaj Kapoor (renamed her from Nawab Bano to Nimmi)
First Technicolor FilmAan (1952, India’s first color film)
Net Worth (Estimated)$1-5 million (₹7-35 crore) at peak, per DecadesLife (2022); no updated figures post-death
Salary Per Film (Peak)Among highest-paid actresses of 1950s (₹7,000 for Barsaat, spent on a car, Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Residence (Later Life)Mumbai, Maharashtra (Juhu area, per MissKyra, 2020)
Languages SpokenHindi, Urdu (presumed from upbringing and film dialogues)
HobbiesLimited info; enjoyed rural life in youth (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Early LifeBorn in Agra; mother died when Nimmi was 11; moved to Abbottabad with grandmother
Partition ImpactFled Abbottabad (now Pakistan) to Mumbai in 1947 due to Partition (Wikipedia)
Film EntryVisited Andaz (1949) set with aunt Jyoti; spotted by Raj Kapoor (Filmfare, 1993)
Raj Kapoor ConnectionBecame his rakhi sister after tying rakhi during Barsaat shoot (StarsUnfolded)
Hollywood OffersRejected 4 offers, including from Cecil B. DeMille, due to kissing scenes (X, @4331Subhash, March 19, 2025)
Iconic FeatureExpressive eyes; known for intense, emotional roles (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Frequent Co-StarsDilip Kumar (Deedar, Daag, Amar), Raj Kapoor (Barsaat), Dev Anand (Sazaa, Aandhiyan)
SingingSang her own songs in Bedardi (1951) (Wikipedia)
Notable DirectorsMehboob Khan (Aan), Chetan Anand (Anjali), K.A. Abbas (Char Dil Char Rahen)
Filmfare RecognitionNo official wins, but critically acclaimed for Bhai Bhai (1956)
1950s StardomOne of the leading actresses alongside Nargis, Madhubala, Meena Kumari (BookMyShow)
Social MediaNone (pre-digital era actress)
Health (Later Years)Suffered prolonged illness; admitted to Sarla Nursing Home, Juhu, before death (MissKyra, 2020)
FuneralBuried at Chandanwadi cemetery, Mumbai, on March 26, 2020 (Hindustan Times, March 26, 2020)
Family TiesNiece of actress Jyoti; mother Wahidan worked with Mehboob Khan in 1930s (Wikipedia)
Marriage DetailsMet S. Ali Raza during Aan (he wrote it); married in 1965; no children (StarsUnfolded)
Husband’s CareerS. Ali Raza wrote Mother India (1957), Saraswatichandra (1968), Reshma Aur Shera (1971)
Adopted SonRaised sister’s son after her early death; fulfilled her last wish (India.com, 2025)
Rakhi TraditionTied rakhi to Raj Kapoor annually after Barsaat (Filmfare, 1993)
PersonalityShy, emotional, unaffected; qualities that won Raj Kapoor’s attention (Cinestaan, 2018)
Career Peak1950s-early 1960s; selective post-1957 for quality roles (Wikipedia)
Controversial RolePlayed a prostitute in Char Dil Char Rahen (1959) (Wikipedia)
Box Office SuccessBarsaat (1949) was a blockbuster; Aan (1952) premiered in London (India.com, 2025)
International FameDubbed “The Unkissed Girl” after refusing Aaron Flynn’s hand kiss at Aan London premiere (India.com, 2025)
Cultural ImpactKnown for village belle roles; brought innocence to screen (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Film RejectionsTurned down supporting roles post-Barsaat to wait for leads (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Song Highlights“Jiya Beqarar Hai” (Barsaat), dubbed by Lata Mangeshkar in later films (X, @FilmHistoryPic, 2020)
LegacyIcon of Hindi cinema’s golden era; remembered for emotional depth (BookMyShow)
Fan BaseMassive following in 1950s; admired by Biswajit Chatterjee (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Posthumous TributesRishi Kapoor called her “Nimmi aunty” of RK family (X, March 25, 2020)
Prem Nath MemoryPlayed tragic lover in Barsaat; fans sympathized with her character (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Dilip Kumar PairingPopular on-screen duo in Deedar, Daag, Amar (Wikipedia)
Technicolor MilestoneAan shot in both color and black-and-white for safety (India.com, 2025)
London Premiere (Aan)Attended with Aan team; met Douglas Fairbanks, Aaron Flynn (India.com, 2025)
Hollywood Refusal ReasonAvoided kissing scenes; said, “I am an Indian girl” (India.com, 2025)
Critical AcclaimBhai Bhai (1956) role won her critics’ praise at age 24 (Wikipedia)
Career DeclineBecame selective post-1957; rejected BR Chopra’s Sadhna (LiveHindustan, 2021)
Last Public MentionX post by @4331Subhash (March 19, 2025) on Hollywood offers
Physical Stats (Peak)Petite frame, doe-eyed, noted for expressive face (DecadesLife, 2022)
EducationLimited formal education; grew up in rural settings (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Early StrugglesLost mother at 11; father had another family in Meerut (Wikipedia)
Partition JourneyMoved from Abbottabad to Mumbai with grandmother during 1947 chaos (Wikipedia)
Mehboob Khan LinkMother’s connection with Khan led to Andaz set visit (Cinestaan, 2018)
First AuditionCried during Barsaat screen test; Raj Kapoor saw it as emotion (Filmfare, 1993)
1950 Film RushJalte Deep, Banwra, Raj Mukut, Wafaa released in one year (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Emotional RolesExcelled in tragedy; Deedar’s blind lover role iconic (Wikipedia)
Peer RespectBiswajit Chatterjee called her a matinee idol (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Marriage InfluenceQuit acting post-1965 marriage to focus on family (BookMyShow)
Sister’s DeathYounger sister died young; Nimmi honored her by raising her son (India.com, 2025)
Husband’s DeathS. Ali Raza passed away in 2007; Nimmi lived alone thereafter (IMDb)
Late LifeLived quietly in Juhu; visited by few friends (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Ramanand Sagar TiePart of Sagar family; attended his funeral in 2005 (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Fan Quote (X)“NIMMI passes away… doe-eyed star of 50s-60s” (@FilmHistoryPic, March 25, 2020)
Cultural RootsTied to Agra’s musical heritage via mother Wahidan (Wikipedia)
Acting StyleUnique, mannered, polished over time (Wikipedia)
Film RetirementChose family over career post-marriage (StarsUnfolded)
Public PersonaInnocent, emotional, resilient (Mumbai Mirror, 2020)
Health DeclineBreathing issues worsened in 2020; hospitalized days before death (MissKyra, 2020)
Posthumous LegacyRemembered as Raj Kapoor’s first discovery (ZeeNews, March 25, 2020)
Fan Sentiment (2025)“Nimmi’s beauty outshone even Madhubala” (X posts, February 2025)
Film PreservationBarsaat, Aan still celebrated in archives (Cinestaan, 2018)
Historical NoteRejected Hollywood to preserve Indian values (X, @4331Subhash, March 19, 2025)
Last Interview2013; spoke of Aan premiere and Hollywood offers (X, @4331Subhash, March 19, 2025)
Golden Era RankAmong top actresses with Nargis, Madhubala (BookMyShow)
Final Resting PlaceChandanwadi cemetery, Mumbai; simple burial per Islamic rites (Hindustan Times, March 26, 2020)

Behind Dilip Kumar, Actress Nimmi and Madhubala fight.

In an interview, Nimmi stated, “We had developed a deep friendship on the sets of the film Amar” (1954). We also started talking about Dilip Kumar, who was playing the lead role in that film. Madhubala, who was in love with Dilip Kumar, began to have doubts about me.

Madhubala had a natural question: ‘Why does Nimmi take as much care of Dilip as I do?’ If that’s the case, what should I do?’

‘Nimmi, can I ask you a question?’ Madhubala asked one day. I am confident you will not deceive me and will not hide anything from me.’

When Nimmi reassures her, she says that if you have the same feelings about Dilip Kumar as I do, I will leave him for your sake and for your sake alone. Nimmi was taken aback when she heard this. Then Nimmi, in a friendly tone, told Madhubala that she does not want a husband in charity.’

Nimmi later met actor Raj Kapoor on the sets of the film ‘Andaz.’ In those days, Raj Kapoor was looking for a new face for his film ‘Barsaat,’ and he chose Nargis as the lead actress. Raj Kapoor, who was taken with Nimmi’s beauty, offered her a role as a supporting actress in the film, which she accepted. Nimmi made her mark in the film industry with the release of ‘Barsaat’ in 1949. Nimmi has appeared in approximately 50 films over the course of her four-decade career. Nimmi then said her final goodbyes to the film industry.

Marriage

She got married to Ali Raza who was working as a scriptwriter with Mehboob Khan. After marriage, Nimmi stopped taking film offers and was more involved in the household.

Death

Actress Nimmi died on March 25, 2020, at the age of 87. After a long illness, the actor was rushed to the Juhu hospital with complaints of breathing. Doctors confirmed her death the following evening. Her sickness caused her to be in and out of the hospital throughout her last years.

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