Nargis 97th birth anniversary: Jackie Shroff pays heartfelt tribute
Synopsis
Jackie Shroff's tribute to Nargis on her 97th birth anniversary is more than a social media gesture — it is a reminder of an actress whose Oscar-nominated 'Mother India' performance set a benchmark that Indian cinema has spent decades trying to match. Born in 1929, Nargis remains a defining figure of Hindi cinema's golden era.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Nargis on her 97th birth anniversary on 1 June 2025 .
He shared a black-and-white portrait with the caption 'Nargis Ji, Always in our hearts' and used the song 'Dil Ki Girah Khol Do' from the 1967 film 'Raat Aur Din' .
Nargis, born 1 June 1929 , starred in the Oscar-nominated 'Mother India' and films like 'Awaara' and 'Shree 420' .
She married actor Sunil Dutt after meeting him on the sets of 'Mother India'; the couple are parents to Sanjay Dutt , Namrata Dutt , and Priya Dutt .
Nargis passed away on 3 May 1981 after a battle with pancreatic cancer .
Jackie Shroff was recently seen in 'The Great Indian Superhero' , released on 29 May .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary actress Nargis on her 97th birth anniversary on 1 June 2025, sharing a nostalgic social media post that resonated widely among cinema lovers. The tribute underscored Nargis's enduring legacy in Indian cinema, more than four decades after her passing.
The Tribute Post
Jackie shared a classic black-and-white portrait of Nargis from her younger years, accompanied by the caption: 'Nargis Ji, Always in our hearts,' followed by folded hands emojis. Adding to the nostalgic mood, he set the timeless song 'Dil Ki Girah Khol Do' from the 1967 film 'Raat Aur Din' as the background score. The song, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey, remains one of the most memorable tracks associated with Nargis's illustrious career.
Who Was Nargis
Born on 1 June 1929, Nargis is widely regarded as one of the finest actresses in the history of Indian cinema. She made her screen debut as a child artiste in 'Talash-E-Haq' and rose to national and international prominence through landmark films including 'Barsaat', 'Andaz', 'Awaara', 'Shree 420', 'Chori Chori', 'Jagte Raho', and the Oscar-nominated classic 'Mother India'. Her portrayal in 'Mother India' remains one of the most celebrated performances in Indian film history.
A Love Story on Set
It was during the making of 'Mother India' that Nargis grew close to actor Sunil Dutt, whom she later married. The couple became one of Bollywood's most admired pairs and are parents to actor Sanjay Dutt and daughters Namrata Dutt and Priya Dutt. Nargis passed away on 3 May 1981 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Sanjay Dutt has spoken in several interviews about the profound impact of losing his mother, describing her as the person he was closest to.
Jackie Shroff: A Veteran Who Remembers
Jackie Shroff is widely noted as one of the few Bollywood veterans who consistently honours industry legends on their birthdays, birth anniversaries, and death anniversaries. He was recently seen in 'The Great Indian Superhero', which released on 29 May to a positive audience response. Over a career spanning decades, Jackie has featured in acclaimed films such as 'Hero', 'Ram Lakhan', 'Parinda', 'Gardish', 'Rangeela', and 'Devdas', cementing his place as one of Indian cinema's most enduring figures. His tribute to Nargis is a reminder that the golden era of Hindi cinema continues to inspire the generations that followed.
Point of View
A four-word caption, a 1967 song. In an era of performative tributes, the restraint carries more weight. What is worth noting, however, is how rarely Nargis's body of work is discussed outside anniversary cycles; 'Mother India' was India's first Oscar-nominated film in the Best Foreign Language Film category, yet that achievement rarely enters mainstream cultural conversation. The anniversary posts come and go, but a serious retrospective of Nargis's craft — and what it meant for women's representation in Hindi cinema — remains overdue.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Nargis celebrated on 1 June?
1 June marks the birth anniversary of legendary Bollywood actress Nargis, who was born on 1 June 1929. She is celebrated as one of the finest actresses in Indian cinema history, best known for her Oscar-nominated role in 'Mother India'.
How did Jackie Shroff pay tribute to Nargis?
Jackie Shroff shared a classic black-and-white portrait of Nargis on social media with the caption 'Nargis Ji, Always in our hearts.' He also used the song 'Dil Ki Girah Khol Do' from the 1967 film 'Raat Aur Din', sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Manna Dey, as the background score.
What is Nargis best known for?
Nargis is best known for her role in the 1957 film 'Mother India', which received an Oscar nomination for Best Foreign Language Film. She also starred in iconic films such as 'Awaara', 'Shree 420', 'Andaz', and 'Barsaat'.
Who are Nargis's children?
Nargis and her husband, actor Sunil Dutt, have three children: actor Sanjay Dutt and daughters Namrata Dutt and Priya Dutt. Sanjay Dutt has spoken in interviews about how deeply he was affected by his mother's passing.
When did Nargis pass away?
Nargis passed away on 3 May 1981 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, just days before the premiere of her son Sanjay Dutt's debut film 'Rocky'.
