She subsequently played a war correspondent in the political thriller Madras Cafe (2013), and starred in the commercially successful comedies Main Tera Hero (2014) and Housefull 3 (2016).

[6][4][7] Fakhri made her acting debut with a female lead role in Imtiaz Ali's musical romantic drama Rockstar in 2011.

[16][17] Film critic Taran Adarsh wrote: "Nargis is a stunner as far as looks are concerned, but isn't persuasive in poignant moments", however, he praised her on-screen chemistry with co-star Ranbir Kapoor.

[18] Raja Sen of Rediff noted that she is an "exotically ravishing heroine, one so pretty we forgive her occasionally stilted diction",[19] while Nikhat Kazmi praised her performance and said that Fakhri "stands tall as the delectable Heer who sizzles on screen with her unconventional ways".

[28][29] Later that year, she made a special appearance in the action comedy Phata Poster Nikhla Hero to perform in the item number "Dhating Naach" with the film's lead actor Shahid Kapoor.

[34] She next appeared in a popular item number titled "Yaar Naa Miley" with Salman Khan for Sajid Nadiadwala's action thriller Kick.

[4] The film follows the transformation of desk-bound CIA analyst Susan Cooper (McCarthy) into a field agent who attempts to foil the black market sale of a suitcase nuke.

[38] Featuring alongside Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham and Jude Law, Fakhri was cast in her first antagonist role, portraying Lia, a secret agent.

[54] Namrata Joshi of Outlook noted that she was "likeable" in her part, however, Devesh Sharma of Filmfare wrote that she brought "plasticky expressions".

[57] The ensemble comedy film saw her playing a rich brat who convinces who falls in love with a con-man (Abhishek Bachchan).

[58] Writing for Firstpost, Subhash K. Jha criticized Fakhri for her inclination toward a film where she was "treated as [a] visual attraction [...] and nothing else".

[67] Writing for the Times of India, Renuka Vyavahare thought that she "overdoes the American accent but grows on you eventually.

"[68] Koimoi wrote that "Why would you waste your money to watch Nargis' acting and Riteish juggling between his Lai Bhaari and Rockstar character.

"[70] In October 2017 Fakhri was selected as a One Young World counselor, alongside Kofi Annan, Doutzen Kroes, and Cher to speak at their summit in Bogota.

[73] Reza Noorani of The Times of India disliked the chemistry between Fakhri and Rao, and said that she "doesn't bring much to the table".

[83] On 26 November 2024, Fakhri's sister Aliya was arrested for murdering her ex-boyfriend and his female friend, by setting their garage on fire.

[84][85] On February 16, 2025, Nargis married her Kashmiri boyfriend, Tony Beig, a Los Angeles-based businessman, after dating him for three years.