60s and 70s Bollywood Actress Nazima Passes Away After 38 Years Missing

Legendary actress Nazima, a popular figure in Bollywood during the 1960s and 70s, has passed away at the age of 77. She had been missing from public life for the past 38 years. News of her death was recently confirmed by her cousin, Zareen Babu, on social media.

Many may not immediately recognize Nazima by name, but she is remembered for appearing in the iconic song “Hum Behno Ke Liye Mere Bhaiya Raksha Bandhan Aaya Hai.” Renowned for her innocent looks, Nazima often played the supporting role of a younger sister to the hero or heroine, earning her the nickname “Bollywood Ki Behen” (Bollywood’s Sister).

Nazima holds a unique, albeit lesser-known, record in Hindi cinema — she performed the highest number of “rape scene” roles in films of that era, as stories in the 60s and 70s frequently depicted the hero or heroine’s younger sister as a victim of such tragedies. Directors rarely cast her in lead roles, and Nazima accepted supporting parts out of fear of unemployment.

Born into the film industry, Nazima began her career as a child actress, appearing in classics like “Baiju Bawra,” “Devdas,” “Hum Panch,” and “Ek Dal.” If a film of that period featured a sister character, Nazima was usually the first choice for the role.

There had long been rumors in the media that Nazima had died from cancer at the age of 27, but no concrete evidence was ever presented. Following the release of the 1987 film “Khooni Darinda,” Nazima suddenly disappeared from the public eye and never returned to the silver screen. Despite efforts to locate her, she remained out of the limelight by choice, and viewers lost track of her fate until now.

Nazima’s passing has shocked fans who cherished her work and childhood memories. May she rest in peace.