March 6, 2017
A character actress for nearly six decades, Nargis Rabadi,
popularly known as 'Shammi Aunty' in the industry, died at her home, aged 87.
According to Bollywood personality Ashok Shekhar, she had been ailing for
some time. She breathed her last at her Juhu Circle home late on Monday.
Her funeral took place at the Oshiwara cemetery, with celebrities like Asha
Parekh, Farida Jalal, Boman Irani, Farah Khan, Annu Kapoor and Priya Dutt in
attendance.
She became a popular character artiste portraying supporting
roles of aunt, granny, elderly spinster in the family, et al, besides acting in
television serials.
Shammi mostly featured in comic roles. The late
actress starred in films like "Coolie No. 1", "Mardon Wali Baat" and "Shirin
Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi". She also appeared in many popular television serials
such as "Dekh Bhai Dekh", "Zabaan Sambhal Ke", "Shriman Shrimati", "Kabhi Yeh
Kabhi Woh" and "Filmi Chakkar".
Tributes to Shammi, who was a Parsi and
the former wife of legendary Bollywood filmmaker, the late Sultan Ahmed, came in
from Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, designer Sandeep
Khosla, Abhishek Bachchan, Farah and Divya Dutta.
Sharma wrote: "My
heartfelt tribute to veteran actor Shammi on her unfortunate demise. Her
extensive and inspiring contribution to Indian cinema will always be
remembered."
"Shammi Aunty... Prolific actress, years of contribution to
the industry, dear family friend... passes away. A long suffered illness, age...
Sad... slowly slowly they all go away," Amitabh, who has "fond remembrances" of
her, tweeted.
The actor also shared some photographs of Shammi Aunty.
Amitabh's son Abhishek wrote: "I will really miss you Shammi Aunty... You
always gave the warmest hugs and never failed to make everyone smile. So many
memories, so much happiness, gone but not forgotten. Rest in peace."
Boman, who worked with Shammi in her last big screen outing "Shirin Farhad Ki
Toh Nikal Padi", wrote: "Bid farewell to everyone's favourite aunty, Shammi
Aunty. Played her grandson a few years ago. She was the most fun person on set.
Loved her very much. Will miss her. May her soul rest in peace."
Anil
Kapoor wrote: "A great actress, always happy and smiling... Shammiji will be
missed. I was lucky enough to have worked with her in Eeshwar and she was a joy
to be around... My condolences to her loved ones."
Shammi was close to
adopted son Iqbaal Rizzvi.
Khosla took to Instagram to post an elegant
photograph of the late actress, and described her as "special", "guide", "best
friend".
Farah wrote: "Our beloved Shammi Aunty is no more... Most
wonderful, loving and funny. Working since my dad's films and I was lucky to
work beside her in 'Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi'. God bless her."
Divya said Shammi's "talent, warmth and laughter is cherished".
Actor
Vindu Dara Singh said he would remember her as "always smiling and peaceful and
very gracious".