Veteran Hindi film actress Nargis Rabadi, popularly known as Shammi passed away today morning . she was 89. Shammi had got into films by chance, through a family friend Chinuu Mama who was working with filmmaker Mehboob Khan.Mama was very friendly with actor and producer Sheikh Mukhtar, who was then looking for an actress for his film. It was for this film she took up the screen name Shammi from Nargis Rabadi. She was only 18, when she was signed to play in 1949 for this film ‘Ustad Pedro’. The film became hit and soon Shammi became a popular actress . She also performed with Dilip Kumar & Madhubala in 1952 through their film ‘Sangdil’, which was however a flop. But, that did not stop her from getting roles of supporting actress.
Some of her successful films as supporting actress were Ilzam (1954), Pehli Jhalak (1955), Bandish (1955), Azaad (1955), Halaku (1956), Son of Sinbad (1955), Raj Tilak (1958), Khazanchi (1958), Ghar Sansar (1958), Aakhiri Dao (1958), Kangan (1959), Bhai-Bahen (1959), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai (1960) Half Ticket, Ishaara, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Preet Na Jane Reet, Aamne – Saamne, Upkar, Ittefaq, Sajan, Doli, Raja Saab and The Train, Coolie No 1, Hum, Mardon Wali Baat, Gurudev, Gopi Kishan, Hum Saath-Saath Hain, Lahu Ke Do Rang and Imtihaan. She even dared to produce her own film Pighalta Aasman in 1985.
Later, Shammi also worked in many TV serials like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Shriman Shrimati, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh and Filmi Chakkar. She made a comeback with ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’ in 2013. With her passing away, Hindi film industry has lost a wonderful person and a committed actress.