Regarded as one of the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema,[6] Nargis often portrayed sophisticated and independent women in a range of genres, from screwball comedy to literary drama.

[10] Along with her husband, Nargis formed the Ajanta Arts Culture Troupe which hired several leading actors and singers of the time and held stage shows at border areas.

In the early 1970s, Nargis became the first patron of The Spastic Society of India and her subsequent work with the organisation brought her recognition as a social worker and later a Rajya Sabha nomination in 1980.

[13] Her father Abdul Rashid, formerly Mohanchand Uttamchand ("Mohan Babu"), was originally a wealthy Mohyal Brahmin heir from Rawalpindi (now in Punjab, Pakistan), who had converted from Hinduism to Islam.

[1][14][15] Her mother was Jaddanbai Hussain, born in Benares State (now in Uttar Pradesh, India), into a Punjabi Muslim family of Hindu Brahmin origin, which had converted to Islam; and was a Hindustani classical music singer, becoming one of the early pioneers of Indian cinema.

[16] Nargis' family had moved from to Punjab to Allahabad in the United Provinces of Agra and Oudh (now in Uttar Pradesh, India) before settling in Calcutta, Bengal.

Nargis next starred in the 1945 period drama Humayun, opposite the leading actor of those times, Ashok Kumar and the mythological film Ramayani.

She also starred in highly successful tragedy film Mela, the editor of Filmindia, Baburao Patel praised her performance, but in her role of mother found her "unconvincing" and "synthetic", The reported box office gross for the film according to IBOS was ₹50 lakhs in 1948.

It had a slow start at the box office, but as soon as positive word-of-mouth spread, it emerged as a major commercial success and the highest-grossing film of all time.

Due to the success of Andaz and Barsaat, Raj Kapoor was impressed by Nargis' onscreen charm and presence.

Unlike the roles played by other actresses of those times, Nargis portrayed an outspoken woman-lawyer who criticises the people who regard woman as a "thing made for household chores".

Not only in India, the film was a blockbuster overseas too, making Nargis and Raj well-known stars in countries such as Greece and the United States.

Following this, she also starred in the psychological drama Anhonee Nargis was highly appreciated for enacting a dual role and her performance garnered critical acclaim.

[31] Furthermore, rediff commented "The ethereal actress is equally adept at bringing out the conflicting qualities of both -- the gregarious courtesan Mohini as well as her dignified half-sister and heiress, Roop".

[38] She once again collaborated with Kapoor for the box office success Chori Chori (1956), which revolves around a girl (Nargis) who runs away from her house in order to marry a gold digger pilot (Pran), but ends up falling for a news reporter (Kapoor) whom she meets in a bus.

[41][42] In 1957, she appeared in Mehboob Khan's Oscar-nominated epic drama Mother India, which won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

[52] She made her last film appearance in the psychological drama Raat Aur Din (1967), after being convinced to act for one last time after a long hiatus.

[53][54] Nargis was also nominated to the Rajya Sabha (upper house of Indian Parliament) from 1980 to 1981,[5][55] but due to cancer she fell ill and died during her tenure.

[61] With her husband, Nargis formed the Ajanta Arts Cultural Troupe, which involved several leading actors and singers of the time, and performed at remote frontiers to entertain the Indian soldiers at border.

[63] Nargis loved wearing white saris, speaking over the telephone and eating panipuris sold on the streets.

[51] The founder of the Spastic Society of India, Mithu Alur, stated in an interview that Nargis had a dream of pursuing medicine that she could never fulfill.

Nargis's son, Sanjay Dutt, added that her lowered immunity levels made her susceptible to the infection.

placed her 3rd in its "Ten most iconic beauties of Hindi cinema" list,[80] In 2000, she was honoured with "Best Actress of the Millennium" by Hero Honda and film magazine Stardust.

"[90] Writing for Indian Express, Sampada Sharma stated, "With her work, Nargis left an impression that still remains unmatched.

"[45] Dinesh Raheja of Rediff.com said, "Whereas most actors have one definitive forte, Nargis won over the 1950s audiences and critics with strikingly versatile characterisations.

A scene from the 1949 film Barsaat, featuring Raj Kapoor holding Nargis in one arm and a violin in the other, was chosen as the basis for the logo of R. K.

Nargis's wild and carefree sensuality pulsates and Raj Kapoor's scruffy hair-rebellious persona only adds fuel to the fire".

[96] In November 1956, Nargis was sent to the Soviet Union by the Government of India, as a part of delegate - consisting of Raj Kapoor, Suraiya and Kamini Kaushal, where her films were screened.

[109][110] In 2015, Google celebrated Nargis's 86th birthday with a doodle and noted, "Nagris lifted her ghoonghat headpiece and blazed the silver screen with her portrayal of strong women protagonists".

[112][113] In 2023, an exhibition at Kiran Nadar Museum of Art in Noida, named "Sitaare Zameen Par", had portraits of Nargis that were captured by JH Thakkar.