Shammi

Biography

Nargis Rabadi (24 April 1929 – 6 March 2018), better known by her stage name Shammi, was an Indian actress who appeared in over two hundred Hindi films. Shammi remained a sought-after actress with filmmakers when it came to goofy and comic roles, especially in the period 1949–1969 and later from 1980–2002. 

Her famous films as a supporting actress included Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai, Half Ticket, Halaku, Samaj Ko Badal Dalo, Khuda Gawah, Coolie No. 1, Gopi Kishan, and Hum Saath Saath Hain, and films with Rajesh Khanna like The Train, Aanchal, Kudrat, Red Rose, Awara Baap and Swarg. 

She was a leading actress playing the main female lead or second female lead in Hindi films between 1949–and 1955 as well. Later, from 1986 to 1998, she appeared in many popular television serials such as Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Shriman Shrimati, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh, and Filmi Chakkar. Shammi is the younger sister of fashion designer Mani Rabadi.

Rabadi was born in 1929 in Bombay, India. Her father was a priest in an agyari (Parsi fire temple) and died when she was around three years old. After her father's death, her mother used to cook food at all the religious functions organized by the Parsi community to earn money.

 Rabadi had an elder sister Mani Rabadi, who was a fashion designer and worked extensively with many actresses as their dress designer in Hindi films between 1967 and 1994. Her mother's younger sister lived with her. 

They stayed in Tata Blocks in Parel, South Mumbai in the 1930–47 period. Her sister joined Johnson and Johnson as a secretary after completing her secondary school education.

In 1942, Johnson and Johnson manufactured tablets, and Rabadi was employed in the packing department. Her job was to collect the tablets that were not sealed in the tablet case and had fallen off from the machine. 

She had to put them into big bottles which would go to hospitals for free distribution to patients. She was paid Rs 100 per month for doing this job.

Shammi was married to film producer & director Sultan Ahmed for seven years before they were divorced.

Shammi died in her sleep on 6 March 2018, aged 88.