Nigar Sultana (1932–2000) was a notable Indian actress who left a memorable mark on the golden age of Hindi cinema, best known for her compelling portrayal of the jealous court dancer Bahar Begum in the epic film Mughal-e-Azam (1960). Her career, while distinguished by significant roles, was also marked by personal turmoil that ultimately overshadowed her professional life.
Born in Hyderabad, Nigar was the youngest of five children. Her father, a major in the Nizam’s State Army, passed away when she was young, placing the family under financial strain. Her formal schooling was brief, but she was educated at home and developed an early passion for acting through school plays. This interest paved her way into the film industry at the young age of 14, when a family friend, Jagdish Sethi, cast her in her debut film, Rangbhoomi (1946).
Her breakthrough role came two years later in Raj Kapoor’s directorial debut, Aag (1948). Her performance as the second of the three women who influence the protagonist’s life was widely praised by critics and audiences alike, establishing her as a capable actress. This success led to a series of prominent roles throughout the 1940s and 1950s. She starred in films like Patanga (1949), where the hit song “Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon” was picturised on her, and Sheesh Mahal (1950), acting alongside industry stalwarts Sohrab Modi and Naseem Banu. Another prestigious project was the National Award-winning film Mirza Ghalib (1954), in which she played the poet’s wife.
Her most iconic role remains that of Bahar in K. Asif’s magnum opus, Mughal-e-Azam. As the rival of Anarkali, her performance was a perfect blend of grace, envy, and ambition, contributing significantly to the film’s dramatic tension. Despite the immense success of films like Mirza Ghalib and Mughal-e-Azam, Nigar Sultana herself was never individually honoured with any major awards.
Her personal life was as dramatic as her on-screen roles. Her first marriage was to filmmaker S.M. Yousuf, which ended without children. She later fell in love with and married K. Asif, the director of Mughal-e-Azam. Their union produced a daughter, Heena Kausar, who would also become an actress. However, the marriage was fraught with conflict when Nigar discovered that Asif had also married Dilip Kumar’s sister, Akhtar. This led to a prolonged and public legal battle that took a severe toll on her career and finances. In her final years, she faced significant economic hardship, reportedly having to sell personal belongings to support her family.
Nigar Sultana’s final film appearance was in Jumbish: A Movement – The Movie (1986). She passed away in Mumbai in 2000, leaving behind a legacy defined by a few unforgettable performances that continue to be celebrated by connoisseurs of classic Indian cinema.