'Everyone who knew Shammi aunty, loved her'

Salim Khan and Shammi

Veteran actor Shammi, fondly called Shammi aunty by industry folk, passed away yesterday at 89. The yesteryear star had been ailing for a while and breathed her last in her sleep at her suburban residence. Her last rites were performed at the Oshiwara crematorium at noon.

Born as Nargis Rabadi to a Parsi family, she made her debut with Tara Harish's Ustad Pedro (1951) when she was 18. Shammi followed the act with films like Half Ticket (1962), Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965), Upkar (1967) and Ittefaq (1969). A celebrated name in television as well, she had shows like Dekh Bhai Dekh, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke and Shriman Shrimati to her credit.

Farah Khan and Boman Irani

Though illness kept her away from public glare for the last few years, Shammi would be spotted with best friend Asha Parekh at film screenings organised by Salim Khan. The veteran writer says, "I knew her well even though we had not worked together on a film. She was part of the industry's gang of friends, which included Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh, Nanda and Sadhana. It's sad to see that, one by one, everyone is passing away. I would organise screenings of new releases at a preview theatre and invite yesteryear folk. She was full of life. She had not been keeping well, and my family had visited her."

Asha Parekh at the funeral Pics/Datta Kumbhbar

Shammi made a comeback in 2012 with Bela Segal's Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi, starring Farah Khan and Boman Irani. She played the latter's grandmother in the romantic comedy. Says Farah Khan, "On the set, she was always punctual and good humoured. Often, shooting would go on till late night, but she would always be in good spirits."

Farah's association with Shammi goes back five decades. "I have known her since I was a kid. She had worked in a couple of films of my father [Kamran Khan]. She was a friend to my aunts [Daisy Irani and Honey Irani]. Everyone who knew her, loved her. She was always full of cheer and laughter, even when enduring hard times."