Geeta Nizami

Geeta Nizami
Nizami in 1946
Born
Rashida Begum

British India
Died2008 (2009)
Pakistan
Other namesGeeta Vedi
Occupations
  • Actress
  • dancer
Years active1944–51
Spouse(s)
Barkat Nizami
​
​
(m. 1944; div. 1946)​

B. D. Vedi
​
​
(m. 1946; sep. 1948)​
RelativesMumtaz Shanti (niece; through first marriage)

Rashida Begum,[1] better known by stage name Geeta Nizami, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi-language films. She was particularly known for her dancing skills.[2][3] Her notable films include Panna (1944), Gajre (1948), Beqasoor (1950) and Hulchul (1951).

Career

Nizami with P. Jairaj (left) in the war thriller film Panna (1944)

Geeta Nizami began her acting career with a leading role in the war thriller Panna (1944). The film proved to be a runaway success and opened her to public recognition.[4] She subsequently appeared in a supporting role in the Muslim social drama Gaon Ki Gori (1945), which was one of the highest grossing films of the year.[5]

This initial success was followed by lead roles in the romance Sassi Punnu and the thriller Room No. 9 (both 1946); the latter being directed by her then-husband B. D. Vedi.[6][7] She played the titular character in Paroo (1947), a drama criticising prevalent casteism in Indian society, to mixed reviews.[8][9]

Geeta later shifted to supporting roles in high-profile productions, which included Gajre (1948),[10][11] Beqasoor (1950) and Hulchul (1951).[12][13] Her only film in lead role during this period was Karwat (1949), produced by B. R. Chopra and directed by Vedi. The film was a box office flop.[14][15][16]

Geeta migrated to Pakistan in 1952, where she continued working on stage.[17][18]

Personal life

Geeta Nizami was first married to film director Barkat Nizami (the uncle of actress Mumtaz Shanti), whom she divorced quickly.[19][20] In 1946, Geeta married film director B. D. Vedi in Kolhapur after converting from Islam[17] to Hinduism.[21] The couple was separated by 1948. She briefly used the name "Geeta Vedi" during this period.[22]

She reportedly shifted to the newly-created Pakistan in April 1952.[18][17] She died in 2008.[1]

Filmography

Year Film Role Notes
1944 Panna Panna
1945 Gaon Ki Gori
1946 Sassi Punnu
1946 Room No. 9
1947 Paroo Paroo
1948 Gajre Tara
1949 Karwat
1950 Beqasoor Radha
1951 Hulchul

References

  1. ^ a b "Geeta Nizami". Cinemaazi. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  2. ^ Kapoor, Shyamchand. Aadhunik Nibandh (in Hindi). Kitabghar Prakashan. p. 99. ISBN 978-81-88118-65-6.
  3. ^ Hindī sinemā kā sunaharā saphara (in Hindi). Sinevāṇī Prakāśana. 1988.
  4. ^ FilmIndia (1946). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1946. pp. 30, 91.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  5. ^ "Top Earners 1945". Box Office India website. Archived from the original on 16 October 2013. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  6. ^ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 215.
  7. ^ Premchand, Manek (30 October 2024). And The Music Lives On. Notion Press. p. 32. ISBN 979-8-89588-691-5.
  8. ^ FilmIndia (1949). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1949. p. 139.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  9. ^ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 228.
  10. ^ Collections. Update Video Publication. 1991. p. 57.
  11. ^ FilmIndia (1949). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1949. p. 214.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  12. ^ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 274.
  13. ^ Reuben, Bunny (1993). Follywood Flashback: A Collection of Movie Memories. Indus. p. 119. ISBN 978-81-7223-106-4.
  14. ^ Rangoonwalla, Firoze; Das, Vishwanath (1970). Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969. J. Udeshi. p. 253.
  15. ^ Division, Publications. LEGENDS OF INDIAN SILVER SCREEN. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2116-4.
  16. ^ Selvan, M. Ponnein (2015). Legends of Indian Silver Screen: The Winners of Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992-2014). Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. ISBN 978-81-230-2039-6.
  17. ^ a b c Patel, Baburao (1952). Filmindia. Filmindia Publications. p. 25.
  18. ^ a b Khatun, Nadira (2024). Postcolonial Bollywood and Muslim Identity: Production, Representation, and Reception. Oxford University Press. p. 50. ISBN 978-0-19-889101-7.
  19. ^ Manṭo, Saʻādat Ḥasan; Jalal, Hamid (2001). A Wet Afternoon: Stories, Sketches, Reminiscences. Alhamra. p. 627. ISBN 978-969-516-040-4.
  20. ^ Hasan, Khalid (1984). Scorecard. Wajidalis. p. 22.
  21. ^ FilmIndia (1946). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1946. p. 682.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
  22. ^ FilmIndia (1948). New York The Museum of Modern Art Library. Bombay. 1948. p. 718.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: others (link)
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