Nadira Babbar Biography: Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity, Movies, Awards, Children, Spouse

Nadira Babbar was a Theatre actress, director, and playwright. She came to prominence as a significant figure in Indian theatre, known for her dedication to the stage and her contributions as an actress, director, and playwright.

She gained recognition through her establishment of the theatre group Ekjute in 1981, which became a platform for numerous acclaimed productions.

Profile

• Full name: Nadira Zaheer Babbar
• Date of birth: January 20, 1948
• Age: 77 years old
• Gender: Female
• Place of birth: Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India
• State of origin: Maharashtra
• Nationality: Indian
• Profession: Theatre actress, director, playwright
• Height: 5 feet 3 inches (161 cm)
• Parents: Father – Late Sayed Sajjad Zaheer; Mother – Razia Sajjad Zaheer
• Siblings: Sisters – Late Najma Zaheer, Noor Zaheer, Naseem Bhatia
• Spouse: Raj Babbar
• Children: Juhi Babbar, Arya Babbar, Prateik Babbar (stepson)
• Relationship status: Married
• Religion: Converted from Islam to Hinduism
• Ethnicity: Asian/Indian
• Net worth: $12 million

Early Life and Education

Nadira Babbar is now 77 years old, having been born on January 20, 1948, in Bombay (now Mumbai), Maharashtra, India. She was raised in a family deeply rooted in literature and activism.

Her father, Sayed Sajjad Zaheer, was a prominent Urdu writer and a founding member of the Communist Party of India. At the same time, her mother, Razia Sajjad Zaheer, was an Urdu writer and a teacher at the University of Lucknow.

Nadira grew up alongside her three sisters: Najma Zaheer, who was a professor of biochemistry at Jawaharlal Nehru University; Noor Zaheer, a journalist, Kathak dancer, and writer; and Naseem Bhatia, who served as the joint secretary of the University Grants Commission and later became the Vice-Chancellor of Jodhpur University.

Nadira pursued her education at the National School of Drama (NSD) in New Delhi, graduating in 1971 with a gold medal. She furthered her studies in theatre direction in Germany, attending institutions like the Berliner Ensemble and the National Theatre of Weimar.

Personal Life

While studying at the National School of Drama, Nadira met Raj Babbar, a fellow theatre enthusiast who would later become a prominent actor and politician.

Their shared passion for theatre brought them together, leading to their marriage on November 21, 1975. The couple has two children: Juhi Babbar, born on July 20, 1979, who is an actress and theatre artist, and Arya Babbar, born on May 24, 1981, who is also an actor in Hindi cinema.

Nadira is also the stepmother of Prateik Babbar, Raj Babbar’s son, from his relationship with the late actress Smita Patil. Throughout their marriage, Nadira and Raj faced challenges, including the complexities arising from Raj’s relationship with Smita Patil.

Despite these difficulties, Nadira remained committed to her family and continued to focus on her work in theatre. Her daughter, Juhi, is married to television actor Anup Soni, further extending the family’s involvement in the entertainment industry.

Career

Nadira Babbar’s career in theatre began in earnest after her return from Germany. In 1981, she founded the theatre group Ekjute in Delhi, with its inaugural production being “Yahudi Ki Ladki.” This play marked a revival of the Parsi theatre style and set the tone for Ekjute’s future endeavours.

Over the years, the group has staged over sixty plays, including notable productions like “Sandhya Chhaya,” “Look Back in Anger,” “Ballabpur Ki Roop Katha,” “Baat Laat Ki Halaat Ki,” “Bharam Ke Bhoot,” “Shabash Anarkali,” and “Begum Jaan.”

Nadira has also written and directed several plays, such as “Dayashankar Ki Diary” (1997), “Sakku Bai” (1999), “Suman Aur Sana,” and “Ji Jaisi Aapki Marzi.” Her work has been instrumental in nurturing talent and promoting Hindi theatre. In 1990, she initiated the ‘Ekjute Young People’s Theatre Group,’ focusing on productions for younger audiences.

Apart from her theatre work, Nadira has appeared in various films, including “Bride and Prejudice” (2004), “Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities” (2004), “Jai Ho” (2014), and “Ghayal Once Again” (2016). She also featured in the web series “The Married Woman,” directed by Sahir Raza.

Awards

• Sangeet Natak Akademi Award (2001)
• Newsmakers Achievers Awards (2022)

Net Worth

Nadira Babbar’s net worth is estimated to be $12 million. Her wealth has been accumulated through her extensive work in theatre, including acting, directing, and playwriting, as well as her appearances in films and television productions.

Social Media

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Filmography

• Bride and Prejudice (2004)
• Meenaxi: A Tale of Three Cities (2004)
• Jai Ho (2014)
• Ghayal Once Again (2016)
• The Married Woman (Web Series)