Bollywood's first actor to buy Rolls Royce was an Indian immigrant who bought food from first earning

Economic Times

a day ago

Synopsis
Nadira, born Florence Ezekiel to an immigrant Baghdadi Jewish family, rose from financial struggles to become one of Bollywood's most iconic stars. Known for her powerful vamp roles in films like Shree 420 and Julie, she redefined the portrayal of negative characters on screen. Despite being typecast, she achieved immense success and became one of the highest-paid actresses of her era. Remarkably, she was the first Indian actor to own a Rolls Royce in the 1960s, a symbol of her independence and success.
Nadira, one of Bollywood's most iconic actresses, was the first Indian actor to own a Rolls Royce. At a time when female actors in Hindi cinema were mostly confined to traditional, virtuous roles, Nadira broke stereotypes and built an identity that was both daring and unforgettable. Best remembered for her role as the glamorous Maya in Raj Kapoor's Shree 420 (1955), she became Bollywood's first screen vamp, giving depth and credibility to characters often sidelined as negative or undesirable.Born Florence Ezekiel in 1932 to a Baghdadi Jewish family in Baghdad, Nadira migrated with her family to Bombay (now Mumbai) as a child. She began acting in films at the age of 11, debuting as a child artist in Mauj (1943). Her big break came in Aan (1952), where Mehboob Khan cast her as a Rajput princess opposite Dilip Kumar.
Coming from an immigrant household, Nadira experienced financial struggles in her early years. In a 1999 interview, she recalled how her first salary of ₹1,200 a month eventually grew to ₹3,000—a considerable sum in the early 1950s. When she received her first three-month installment of ₹3,600, she admitted to being overwhelmed, even asking filmmaker Mehboob Khan for a ride home because she felt unsafe carrying so much money.Her family was equally astonished at the sudden financial turnaround. She later revealed that her mother initially suspected the money was stolen. Nadira quickly used her earnings to purchase food, household necessities, and even gold jewelry, recalling that she bought such an abundance of groceries that much of it had to be shared with neighbors.Despite her initial success, Nadira faced a career setback after Shree 420. Though her performance as Maya was celebrated, she later described it as the turning point that limited her opportunities. Producers repeatedly offered her vamp roles, forcing her to reject nearly 200 films before reluctantly accepting the typecasting that defined her career. For a period, she admitted to being out of work and struggling, as filmmakers expected her to replicate the same glamorous, cigarette-holding persona she had portrayed on screen.Yet, she turned these roles into iconic performances. In later years, actors like Jaya Bachchan openly acknowledged how commanding Nadira was on screen, describing her presence as intimidating during the filming of Ek Nazar (1972).Nadira's success in the 1950s and 60s translated into a lifestyle few in Bollywood could match at the time. She became one of the highest-paid actresses of her generation and, remarkably, the first Indian actor to own a Rolls Royce in the 1960s. At a time when such luxury cars were virtually unseen in India, her decision to import one symbolized not just wealth but independence and influence. According to ETimes and Hindustan Times reports, Nadira's choice set a precedent for Bollywood stars decades before names like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Priyanka Chopra would acquire the same brand.Over her career, Nadira appeared in around 70 films, including Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960), Pakeezah (1972), and Julie (1975), the last of which earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress. Despite her fame, she never married and eventually lived alone in Mumbai, even after much of her family migrated abroad.Her final major appearance was in Josh (2000), after which she battled health issues, including meningitis, liver complications, and paralysis. She passed away in 2006 at the age of 73.