Naseem banu biography
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This was the time when her daughter Saira Banu was about to make her debut on the big screen. This caused some uneasiness between the two. Her performance was widely appreciated for its sophistication and tragic depth, setting the tone for her career in emotionally charged roles.
Her breakthrough came with the 1936 film “Pukar,” produced by Sohrab Modi under the Minerva Movietone banner.
Naseem’s mother had also refused this time, but Naseem was adamant that she wanted to be an actress after her mother’s refusal. In the 1940s, one such actress was Naseem Banu, who was dubbed a beauty queen and the first female superstar. Naseem, named Roshan Ara Begum, studied at Queen Mary's High School, Delhi; her mother Shamshad Begum, wanted her to become a doctor.
In this historical drama, she portrayed Empress Nur Jahan, a role that brought her immense fame. Finally, on June 18, 2002, at the age of 85, Naseem died.
| Year | Movie Title | Character Played | Director | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Khoon Ka Khoon (Hamlet) | Ophelia | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone (Sohrab Modi) |
| 1937 | Khan Bahadur | Supporting Role | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1938 | Meetha Zahar | Lead Role | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1938 | Talaaq (Divorce) | Chhoti Begum | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1938 | Vasanti | Vasanti | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1939 | Pukar | Empress Noor Jahan | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1942 | Ujala | Lead Role | K.M.
Following this, Naseem became the first choice of all filmmakers. Her father, Nawab Abdul Waheed Khan, was a civil servant, while her mother, Shamshad Begum (not to be confused with the playback singer), was a noted Urdu stage actress. Having played the role, Naseem was unable to continue her education as the school was shocked at her acting in films, then considered a lowly profession. Naseem returned to Bombay and signed a contract with Sohrab Modi. She decided she wanted to be an actress after seeing the shoot. Billimoria | Taj Mahal Pictures |
| 1950 | Sheesh Mahal | Ranjana | Sohrab Modi | Minerva Movietone |
| 1951 | Shabistan | Lead Role | Bibhuti Mitra | Filmistan Ltd. |
| 1952 | Ajeeb Ladki | Lead Role | Mohammad Ehsan | Taj Mahal Pictures |
| 1952 | Baiju Bawra | Supporting Role | Vijay Bhatt | Prakash Pictures |
| 1953 | Aan | Princess Rajshree | Mehboob Khan | Mehboob Productions |
| 1955 | Uran Khatola | Supporting Role | S.U.
She was one of the first actresses to bring depth to female characters in Indian films. Death Naseem Banu passed away on June 18, 2002, at the age of 85, in Mumbai. Together, they formed one of Bollywood’s most respected film dynasties. The couple had two children: a son named Sultan Ahmed, and a daughter, Saira Banu, who would go on to become one of Bollywood’s most loved heroines in the 1960s and 1970s. Naseem was very protective and involved in her daughter’s career. She played Ophelia, while Sohrab Modi played Hamlet. Her image was that of an elegant, demure woman, and she carved a niche for herself as the “classic beauty” of Indian cinema. Establishing Taj Mahal Pictures In the late 1940s, Naseem Banu, along with her husband Ehsan-ul-Haq, established her own production company, Taj Mahal Pictures. The last two were also directed by her husband, Mohammed Ehsan. Following this, Naseem received offers for other films, but she was unable to accept them due to her contract with Sohrab Modi. She was more than just a pretty face—she was a strong-willed woman who balanced family, career, and creativity with poise and strength. Her influence is felt not just in the history of films but also in the legacy carried forward by her daughter Saira Banu and son-in-law Dilip Kumar. |