One of Bollywood’s only Jewish actresses has died. Born Florence Ezekiel but known as Nadira, she starred in ‘Aan’, ‘Shree 420’, ‘Dil Apna Preet Parayee’ and later ‘Julie’.
From the BBC:
Veteran Bollywood actress Nadira, 75, has passed away in Mumbai (Bombay) after a prolonged illness.
Tributes have been pouring in for the former star, who is best remembered for her role in the film, Shri 420.
She had a golden career:
She had won several awards in a career spanning 50 years.
She will be best known for her portrayal of a Westernised woman and her arched eyebrows. Many critics considered her to be far ahead of her times.
Sulochana is/was the other Jewish actress.
There were many Jewish Actors and Actresses. For a comprehensive list check out the archives of RMIM and RAMLI on usenet.
Nadira was cremated acc to Hindu rites per her wishes. Apparently, she believed in reincarnation.
Btw, the other prominent jews were David, Sulochana (Ruby Myers), Helen (although she later claimed that she was a Christian, possibly as a result of her marriage to Salim Khan), Bunny Reuben, and others I can’t recall right now.
shree 420 – that’s a good one – i saw it on a whim – and was surprised at the sophistication – it’s a fable, yes – but enough shades of grey (sic) to lift it above triteness – it was good to have movies in b&w methinks – the visual impact was subtle but solid – pet peeve alert – wish we could get back to b&w what with even men wearing sequins and blue dupattas and yellow jackets – enough to give one seizures – what happened to basic black.