Nadira (22 November 1968 – 6 August 1995) was a Pakistani film actress and dancer, active in Punjabi and Urdu-language cinema from the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. She was popularly known as The White Rose due to her romantic roles and graceful on-screen persona.

Born in Lahore, she made her acting debut in the Punjabi film Aakhri Jang (1986), although Nishan (1986) was released earlier and is considered her first appearance on record. Over a career spanning approximately eight years, Nadira became a prominent figure in Lollywood, noted for her expressive performances and distinctive dance style. She frequently starred opposite actors such as Sultan Rahi, Ghulam Mohiuddin, and Ismael Shah, and often played emotionally intense and dramatic roles. Her notable films include Aakhri Jang (1986), Puttar Sheran Day (1986), Baadal (1986), Nachay Nagi (1987), Meri Aavaz (1987), Commando Action (1988), Maula Bakhsh (1988), Mafroor (1988), Jagga Daku (1993), Miss Allah Rakhi (1989), 30 Mar Khan (1989), and Zakhmi Aurat (1989). In Meri Aavaz, she performed in two songs that became popular at the time. Nadira married businessman Ijaz Hussain and had two children. Following her marriage, she retired from the entertainment industry. On 6 August 1995, she was fatally shot by unidentified assailants in Liberty Market, Lahore.

Early life Nadira was born as Malika Farah on 22 November 1968 in Lahore.

Career Nadira was introduced by director Yunus Malik to the Pakistani film industry by offering her a role in his film Akhri Jang in 1986. Nadira's first film was Akhri Jang (The Last War), but director Altaf Hussain's Punjabi film Nishan (Mark) got released first, therefore, as per record, Nishan remains the first released film of Nadira.

Nadira was considered as talented actress, in film Nachay Nagin she played the best role of her life. In this film, she played the role of serpent for the first time and acclaimed a lot of fame along with the dancing hero Ismael Shah. Then she became famous for playing the role of serpent. She played role of serpent in Nachay Nagin, Nachay Jogi and Jadoo Garni.

Nadira starred in 52 films, out of which 25 enjoyed Silver jubilee, 4 enjoyed diamond jubilee and one film Akhri Jang enjoyed golden jubilee. She was known as " The White Rose" in industry. She was considered a good dancer. During her film career she starred in 2 Urdu, 35 Punjabi, 2 Pashto and 14 double version (Punjabi/Urdu) films.

Personal life In 1993, she married a gold merchant Malik Ijaz Hussain with whom she had two children, elder daughter Rimsha Rubab & younger son Haider Ali. Nadira quit acting after marriage.

Death

Nadira was shot dead by unknown robbers on 6 August 1995 near Gulberg, Lahore. Nadira and her husband were on their way home from a restaurant when the robbers stopped their car and tried to snatch the car keys. Resistance from her husband led to firing from the robbers. A bullet hit the neck of Nadira, who was in the front seat and she was killed. Accusations of murder were made against Nadira's husband, but investigation was inconclusive.

Filmography Film # Year Film Director Language Notes 1 1986 Nishan Altaf Hussain Punjabi released first 2 1986 Akhri Jang Yunus Malik Punjabi debut film 3 1986 Puttar Sheran Day Altaf Hussain Punjabi 4 1987 Badal Yunus Malik Punjabi 5 1987 Nachay Nagin Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 6 1987 Meri Awaz Iqbal Rizvi Urdu first Urdu film 7 1987 Commando Action A. Riaz Punjabi 8 1988 Maula Baksh Yunus Malik Punjabi 9 1988 Mafroor Hassan Askari Punjabi 10 1988 Hukumat Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 11 1988 Tohfa Daud Butt Punjabi 12 1988 Bardasht Haider Chaudhry double version 13 1989 Yarana Yunus Malik Punjabi 14 1989 Zabardast Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 15 1989 Miss Allah Rakhi Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 16 1989 Karma Jahangir Qaisar Punjabi 17 1989 Rakhwala Waheed Dar Punjabi 18 1989 Mera Challenge Azmat Nawaz Punjabi 19 1989 Nagin Jogi Masood Butt double version 20 1989 Zulm Da Suraj M. Javed Iqbal Punjabi 21 1989 Tees Maar Khan Iqbal Kāshmiri Punjabi 22 1989 Zakhmi Aurat Iqbal Kāshmiri double version 23 1989 Mujrim Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 24 1990 Jailor Daud Butt Punjabi 25 1990 Hifazat Haider Chaudhry Punjabi 26 1990 Puttar Jaggay Da Hassan Askari Punjabi 27 1990 Waqt M. Idrees Khan Punjabi 28 1990 Raja Iqbal Kāshmiri double version 29 1990 Marshal Yunus Malik Punjabi 30 1990 Jang Baz Irshad Sajid Punjabi 31 1991 Doulat Kay Pujari M. Idrees Khan double version 32 1991 Jadoo Garni Hasnain Punjabi 33 1991 Husn Ka Chor Altaf Hussain double version 34 1991 Lakhan Masood Butt Punjabi 35 1991 Watan Kay Rakhwalay Hasnain double version 36 1991 Lahori Badmash Shahid Rana Punjabi 37 1991 Nadira Altaf Hussain double version 38 1991 Cobra Shahid Rana double version 39 1991 Meri Jang Muhammad Rasheed Dogar Punjabi 40 1991 Sher Afgan Yunus Malik Punjabi 41 1991 Shere Badmash Saeed Ali Khan Pashto 42 1992 Joshilay Imtiaz Rana Urdu 43 1992 Mohammad Khan Kaifee Punjabi 44 1992 Qanoon Zamapa Laske Inayat Ullah Khan Pashto first Pashto film 45 1992 Sher Jang Yunus Malik Punjabi 46 1992 Mehbooba Hasnain double version 47 1992 Godfather Parvez Rana double version 48 1992 Mera Inteqam Faiz Malik Punjabi 49 1993 Jagga Daku Yunus Malik Punjabi 50 1993 Aadil Altaf Hussain double version 51 1993 Ilaqa Ghair Mumtaz Ali Khan double version 52 1994 Laila Nazrul Islam double version last film

Awards and recognition Year Award Category Result Title Ref. 1991 Nigar Award Best Actress Watan Kay Rakhwalay

Notes

References

External links