Veteran actress Shammi passes away at 87

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MUMBAI: Veteran character actor 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 would be performed at the Oshiwara cemetery later in the day, Shekhar told IANS.

She became a popular character artiste portraying supporting roles of an 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 megastar Amitabh Bachchan, designer Sandeep Khosla, Abhishek Bachchan, Farah Khan, Priya Dutt and Divya Dutta.

“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”.

Farah wrote, “Our beloved Shammi Aunty is no more… Most wonderful, loving and funny. Working since my dad’s films and I was lucky to work beside her in ‘Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi’. God bless her.”

Divya said Shammi’s “talent, warmth and laughter is cherished”. Actor Vindu Dara Singh said he would remember her as “always smiling and peaceful and very gracious”.

Sunil Dutt’s daughter, Priya Dutt wrote, “Shammi, aunty to me and a great actor of yesteryears passed away today. She was my mother’s dear friend and someone we all loved very much. May her soul rest in peace and her laughter and contagious smile rock the heavens. Be in peace with your friends.”

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