Shammi Aunty no more, Bollywood mourns her loss

New Delhi: Veteran actress Shammi, originally named Nargis Rabadi breathed her last on March 6 after battling a prolonged illness. She acted in as many as 200 films and entertained the audiences with her sheer brilliance on the big screens.

Better known as Shammi aunty, she aced her act in comic roles and soon became the most sought-after comediennes in Hindi films. She made her debut in 1949 with 'Ustad Pedro'. She was only 18 when she signed the film. The film starred Sheikh Mukhtar opposite Begum Para and Mukri as the comedian and it was directed by Tara Harish.

Her other notable works included, Bhai- Bahen, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi, Half Ticket, Jab Jab Phool Khile, Ittefaq, The Burning Train, Kudrat, Awara Baap, Swarg, Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi to name a few.

Her famous supporting roles included in films such as 'Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai', 'Half Ticket', 'Halaku', 'Samaj Ko Badal Dalo', 'The Train', 'Aanchal', 'Kudrat', 'Swarg', 'Khuda Gawah', 'Coolie No. 1', 'Gopi Kishan' and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' to name a few.

Bollywood stars mourned her loss on Twitter:

T 2735 - Prayers and fond remembrances for Shammi Aunty .. so dear to us as family .. lost to us today ..
some early pictures as a young entrant to films .. and one with Nargis ji at an event ; Shammi Aunty's real name was also Nargis ! pic.twitter.com/pfgzd1Tff3 — Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) March 6, 2018

Our beloved ShammiAunty is no more.. most wonderful, loving n funny.. working since my dads films n i was lucky to work beside her in ShirinFarhadKiTohNikalPadi.. god bless her — Farah Khan (@TheFarahKhan) March 6, 2018

#ShammiAunty your warmth,affection & humour will be missed. RIP  pic.twitter.com/kKV7J7MYDf — Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) March 6, 2018

R I P. Shammi Aunty bids good bye. pic.twitter.com/g1bagsyaSk — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) March 6, 2018

She was married to film producer-director Sultan Ahmed for seven years before they got divorced. Shammi is the younger sister of fashion designer Mani Rabadi.

She acted in some popular TV serials as well, such as Dekh Bhai Dekh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Shriman Shrimati, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh and Filmi Chakkar.

Shammi aunty was a Parsi and has left behind a rich cinematic legacy. Her funeral would be performed at the Oshiwara cemetery later in the day, reportedly.