Bollywood’s favourite ‘Shammi Aunty’ dead

mumbai — Veteran character actress for nearly six decades, Nargis Rabadi, popularly known as ‘Shammi Aunty’ in the industry, died at her home here late on Monday, a family friend said. She was 87.

According to Bollywood personality Ashok Shekhar, she had been ailing since some time. She breathed her last at her Juhu Circle home. Her funeral was to be performed at the Oshiwara cemetery later in the day, Shekhar said.

She became a popular character artiste portraying supporting roles of aunt, granny, elder spinster in the family, et al, besides acting for television serials. Shammi aunty 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.

Early 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 Khan 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” for 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.” Khosla took to Instagram to post an elegant photograph of the late actress, and described her as “special”, “guide”, “best friend”. —