GOLDEN AGE GLAMOUR

Bazaar India speaks to three stars from Bollywood's Golden Era about their respective journeys.

- Ria Singh, Smita Tripathi, Priyanka Kathuria

NAFISA ALI 

ACTOR & SOCIAL ACTIVIST

A prominent Indian figure embodying the essence of versatility and resilience, Nafisa Ali emerged as a notable actress in the Indian film industry during the 1970s and ’80s, with performances in movies such as Junoon [1978] and Major Sahab [1998]. Looking back at her younger days, she recalls that her father and mother doted on her and gave her the opportunity to follow her dreams and aspirations. “I excelled in sports and arts but I was not a topper in school...I believe that everyone can’t have everything in their lives,” she laughs. Luckily, her parents didn’t push her on the academic front as long as she slipped on a banana peel from class to class. “My father [Ahmed Ali] learnt from his father [S Wajid Ali] that your degree is not going to get you where you want to be,” adds the 66-year-old. Nafisa’s father is one of the most renowned photographers of India whose archives have been created for international appreciation and recognition. “I had a great dreamer-dad who followed his passion and I naturally followed his footsteps,” she shares.

Capturing hearts with her beauty and grace, Nafisa—the former model exclaims she has been one all her life given her father was a photographer. “I was like the ‘Murphy Baby of India’...I was just about 18 months or so when I was first photographed by him.” Passionate about photography just like her father, Nafisa mentions that she feels comfortable both in front of and behind the camera, as she sees life as a beautiful photograph. “I try capturing all the special moments...always,” she smiles.