Born as Fatima Rashid, Nargis Dutt was regarded as one of the iconic actresses of Indian cinema. She was the first Indian actress to receive a Padma Shree for her contribution towards cinema. Nargis began her acting career with the film, Tamanna in 1942. In a three-decade-long career, Nargis featured in many successful films like Andaz, Aag, Barsaat, Shree 420, Chori Chori, Mother India, and many more.
One of the most stunning actresses of her time, Nargis, was every man’s dream girl, and one of them was actor, Sunil Dutt. She met him for the first time on the sets of Do Bigha Zameen. It was on the sets of Mehboob Khan’s movie, Mother India, when love blossomed between Nargis and Sunil. On March 11, 1958, Nargis and Sunil had secretly got married and had then announced the news to their close ones. The couple was blessed with three children, Priya Dutt, Namrata Dutt and Sanjay Dutt.
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It was in 1980 when Nargis fell ill and was hospitalised. Initially, doctors thought that the actress was suffering from jaundice. Her condition kept worsening, and she lost weight rapidly. After 15 days of tests, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and for the treatment, Nargis went to New York. She later came to India, but her condition worsened.
When Nargis came back to India, she was eager to meet her close ones, but her family imposed many restrictions on her as they didn’t want the actress to catch any infection. In a throwback interview with a leading publication, Sunil and Nargis Dutt’s son, Sanjay Dutt, recalled his parents’ 23rd wedding anniversary, which was, unfortunately, the last one.
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To celebrate the day, the family hosted a small gathering, and Nargis was dressed in her wedding attire. Revealing how the actress got emotional, Sanjay said:
“The celebration of Mom & Dad's 23rd Wedding Anniversary on 11th March 1981 was a happy occasion. We dressed Mom up in her green and red wedding saree and a few others came over. She was a little sad that day and said to Dad, “I think this is my last wedding anniversary”. She had tears in her eyes. Dad sat next to her and we looked on in silence.”
Nargis’ condition worsened after she returned to India. In an interview with Pinkvilla, Nargis’ daughter, Namrata recalled the actress’ tryst with cancer. Revealing how Nargis started bleeding after the surgery and went into a coma, Namrata stated:
“Coming to Mom’s treatment, at first her pancreas was removed. Soon after the surgery she began haemorrhaging internally. They reopened her five to six times, because the bleeding just wouldn’t stop. When they couldn’t stitch her, they stapled her. The body went through so much trauma that she slipped into coma."
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Throughout her coma, Namrata, Priya and Sunil would talk to her, and one day, Nargis moved her hand, and after undergoing excruciating physiotherapy and other treatments, she returned to India from the US cancer-free in 1981. Soon, Nargis developed a urinary infection, and as complications increased, she was put on a ventilator, where she slipped into a coma again. And on the fateful day of May 3, 1981, Nargis had bid adieu to the world at the age of 52.
After the fire incident during the shoot of Mother India, Nargis wished to be buried after her death. In the essay, Namrata recalled her mother’s last wish and how she was dressed in her wedding attire during her last rites. Elaborating on the same, Namrata penned:
“Mom had a fear of fire after the Mother India accident. Her last wish was that she be buried. Dad fulfilled that. For the final farewell, she was dressed in her wedding attire – a red and green gota saree. The premiere of Sanjay’s debut film Rocky was held on 7 May 1981. As a mark of respect for Mom, who was so keen to watch the film, a chair was left vacant between Dad and Sanjay."
When Nargis was at the peak of her career, she gave up films to be a homemaker and never had any qualms about it. Such was her love for her family that despite being ambitious, she gave up her stardom for her children.
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