Geeta Nizami | |
|---|---|
 Nizami in 1946 | |
| Born | Rashida Begum 1926 |
| Died | 2008 (aged 81–82) |
| Other names | Geeta Vedi |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1944–51 |
| Spouse(s) | Barkat Nizami
( m. 1944; div. 1946)B. D. Vedi
( m. 1946; separated 1948) |
| Relatives | Mumtaz Shanti (niece; through first marriage) |
Rashida Begum,[1] better known by stage name Geeta Nizami, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi-language films. She was particularly known for her dancing skills.[2][3] Her notable films include Panna (1944), Gajre (1948), Beqasoor (1950) and Hulchul (1951).
Career[edit | edit source]
Geeta Nizami began her acting career with a leading role in the war thriller Panna (1944). The film proved to be a runaway success and opened her to public recognition.[4] She subsequently appeared in a supporting role in the Muslim social drama Gaon Ki Gori (1945), which was one of the highest grossing films of the year.[5]
This initial success was followed by lead roles in the romance Sassi Punnu and the thriller Room No. 9 (both 1946); the latter being directed by her then-husband B. D. Vedi.[6][7] She played the titular character in Paroo (1947), a drama criticising prevalent casteism in Indian society, to mixed reviews.[8][9]
Geeta later shifted to supporting roles in high-profile productions, which included Gajre (1948),[10][11] Beqasoor (1950) and Hulchul (1951).[12][13] Her only film in lead role during this period was Karwat (1949), produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by Vedi. The film was a box office flop.[14][15][16]
Geeta migrated to Pakistan in 1952, where she continued working on stage.[17][18]
Personal life[edit | edit source]
Geeta Nizami was first married to film director Barkat Nizami (the uncle of actress Mumtaz Shanti), whom she divorced quickly.[19][20] In 1946, Geeta married film director B. D. Vedi in Kolhapur after converting from Islam[17] to Hinduism.[21] The couple was separated by 1948. She briefly used the name "Geeta Vedi" during this period.[22]
She reportedly shifted to the newly-created Pakistan in April 1952.[18][17] She died in 2008.[1]
Filmography[edit | edit source]
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Panna | Panna | |
| 1945 | Gaon Ki Gori | ||
| 1946 | Sassi Punnu | ||
| 1946 | Room No. 9 | ||
| 1947 | Paroo | Paroo | |
| 1948 | Gajre | Tara | |
| 1949 | Karwat | ||
| 1950 | Beqasoor | Radha | |
| 1951 | Hulchul |
References[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Geeta Nizami". Cinemaazi. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
- ↑ Kapoor, Shyamchand. Aadhunik Nibandh (in हिन्दी). Kitabghar Prakashan. p. 99. ISBN 978-81-88118-65-6.
- ↑ Hindī sinemā kā sunaharā saphara (in हिन्दी). Sinevāṇī Prakāśana. 1988.
- ↑ FilmIndia (1946). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1946. pp. 30, 91.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ "Top Earners 1945". Box Office India website. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
- ↑ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 215.
- ↑ Premchand, Manek (30 October 2024). And The Music Lives On. Notion Press. p. 32. ISBN 979-8-89588-691-5.
- ↑ FilmIndia (1949). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1949. p. 139.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 228.
- ↑ Collections. Update Video Publication. 1991. p. 57.
- ↑ FilmIndia (1949). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1949. p. 214.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 274.
- ↑ Reuben, Bunny (1993). Follywood Flashback: A Collection of Movie Memories. Indus. p. 119. ISBN 978-81-7223-106-4.
- ↑ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 253.
- ↑ Division, Publications. LEGENDS OF INDIAN SILVER SCREEN. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2116-4.
- ↑ Selvan, M. Ponnein (2015). Legends of Indian Silver Screen: The Winners of Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992-2014). Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. ISBN 978-81-230-2039-6.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 17.2 Patel, Baburao (1952). Filmindia. Filmindia Publications. p. 25.
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Khatun, Nadira (2024). Postcolonial Bollywood and Muslim Identity: Production, Representation, and Reception. Oxford University Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-19-889101-7.
- ↑ Manṭo, Saʻādat Ḥasan; Jalal, Hamid (2001). A Wet Afternoon: Stories, Sketches, Reminiscences. Alhamra. p. 627. ISBN 978-969-516-040-4.
- ↑ Hasan, Khalid (1984). Scorecard. Wajidalis. p. 22.
- ↑ FilmIndia (1946). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1946. p. 682.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link) - ↑ FilmIndia (1948). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1948. p. 718.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
External links[edit | edit source]
- Geeta Nizami on IMDb