Veteran Indian actress Nadira dies at the age of 75

Veteran Indian actress Nadira died early Thursday due to complications from a prolonged illness, her doctor said. She was 75. Nadira was best-known for playing negative characters in a series of films in the 1950s and 1960s, when most top actresses shied away from such roles.

Photo: Veteran Indian actress Nadira dies at the age of 75

She was admitted to Bhatia Hospital in Bombay in December suffering from tubercular meningitis and was later discharged, said Dr Arpita Diwedi. Nadira was readmitted on Jan. 24 after her health deteriorated again, he said.

Nadira acted in 63 movies since her debut in "Aan" in 1952, where she played a haughty princess untouched by the suffering of the people in her kingdom. Her best-known movies were "Shri 420," "Pakeezah" and "Julie." She acted in television serials in the late 1990s. Her last movie was "Josh" six years ago.

Nadira, who used only one name, lived alone in downtown Bombay . Her funeral will be held later Thursday, reports the AP.

D.M.