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Bollywood’s Beloved ‘Shammi Aunty’ Passes Away At 89

byJinal Bhatt
6th March 2018
2 minute read

It’s only the third month of 2018 and the Bollywood sky is already a bit more dim than last year. In the wake of the shocking and heartbreaking passing of our Chandni, Sridevi, comes yet another tragic news.

Veteran actress Shammi, fondly known in her later years as ‘Shammi Aunty’ has passed away at the age of 89, succumbing to a prolonged illness.

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Shammi began working in movies in 1949, and had an illustrious career in Bollywood spanning 64 years, over 200 films and several television shows.

Born Nargis Rabadi, she advised upon joining the film industry to change her name to Shammi, as there was already an actress called ‘Nargis’. Her forté was always goofy comic roles and she played them with all her heart. She was often seen in films with her friends from the industry, including Rajesh Khanna, Nargis and Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh.

Her filmography included movies like Malhar, Dharam Kanta, Kudrat, Jab Jab Phool Khile and many more.

Even the younger crop of actors got a chance to work with this legend in films like Lahu Ke Do Rang, Gopi Kishan, Coolie No 1, and Hum Saath Saath Hain amongst others.

Image Courtesy: Rajshri Productions

Towards the latter end of her career, Shammi Aunty was a familiar face in several popular television shows of the 90s.

Image Courtesy: Doordarshan

If you’re a 90s kid, you’ll remember her in her roles as a mother or a grandmother in shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Shriman Shrimati, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh and Filmi Chakkar, and Shararat.

As recently as 2013, she worked with Boman Irani and Farah Khan in Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi as an endearing Parsi grandma that you just couldn’t help but adore.

Image Courtesy: Eros International

Designer Sandeep Khosla (of the Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla duo) was the first to break the news on his Instagram.

In his caption, he called her a ‘best friend’, ‘guide’ and ‘family’.

Amitabh Bachchan mourned the loss of this talented actress, taking to Twitter to express his grief.

He shared another tweet, giving us a glimpse into the life of the actress’ early years in the industry.

Her Shirin Farhad co-star Farah Khan also expressed her grief on Twitter.

Do you recall Shammi Aunty’s stint as Rani Devi in the TV show Shararat? Her fellow pari Shruti Seth remembers her fondly on this sad day.

Annup Sonii recalls the time he had the chance to work with Shammi Aunty….

RIP!

Priya Dutt too shared on Twitter a throwback picture of her mother, actress Nargis Dutt with Shammi Aunty, with a heartfelt condolence message.

You’re gone Shammi Aunty, but you’ll remain forever in our hearts as the goofy grandma who always made as laugh and love her a little more every time.

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