Nafisa Ali is not just an Indian film actress. She is a multi-talented personality who has left her mark in cinema, sports, activism, and politics. Known for her elegance, courage, and versatility, Nafisa’s journey from beauty queen to Bollywood star and social reformer is nothing short of inspiring.
This blog post dives deep into her biography, career, personal life, achievements, and more, offering a comprehensive look at one of India’s most respected celebrities.
Early Life and Upbringing
Nafisa Ali was born on January 18, 1957, in Kolkata, West Bengal, India. Her father, Ahmed Ali, was a renowned photographer, and her mother, Philomena Torresan, was of Anglo-Indian heritage. She comes from a distinguished lineage—her grandfather, S. Wajid Ali, was a celebrated Bengali writer and lawyer.
- Schooling: La Martiniere Girls’ School, Kolkata
- Academic Background: Studied Vedanta under Swami Chinmayananda
- Athletic Achievements: National Swimming Champion (1972–1974)
Her upbringing was a blend of intellectual depth, cultural richness, and athletic discipline, which shaped her multifaceted personality.
Personal Life – Age, Zodiac Sign
| Personal Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Nafisa Ali |
| Nickname | Nafi |
| Alternative Names(s) | Nafisa Ali Sodhi |
| Date of Birth | 18 Jan 1957 |
| Age (as of 2024) | 67 years |
| Religion | Islam |
| Zodiac Sign | Capricorn |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Birthplace | Kolkata, India |
| Hometown | Tajpur, Kolkata |
| Current Address | Defence Colony, Delhi |
| Education Qualification | Sr. Cambridge |
| Hobbies and Interests | Photography, Cooking, Travelling |
| Languages Known | English, Hindi, Bengali |
| Social Media Profiles link | Instagram , Facebook |
| Wikipedia Profile link | Wikipedia |
| IMDb Profile link | IMDb |
| Website link | N/A |
Physical Appearance – Height, Weight, Body Measurements
| Physical Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Body Type | Hourglass |
| Body Measurements | 36-28-36 inches |
| Height | 5’6″, 168 cm |
| Weight | 126 lbs, 57 kg |
| Chest | 36 inches |
| Waist | 28 inches |
| Biceps | N/A |
| Eye Colour | Hazel green |
| Hair Colour | Grey, Pink (recent) |
| Hairstyle | Short, natural |
| Distinctive Features | Graceful aura, elegance |
| Tattoos | N/A |
Family and Relationships – Boyfriend/Husband, Affairs
Nafisa Ali’s personal life reflects her commitment to love and family. She married Colonel R.S. Sodhi, a decorated Arjuna Award-winning polo player, despite religious and cultural differences.She took an 18-year break from acting to raise her children, showing her dedication to family over fame.
| Relationships Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse – Husband | Colonel R.S. Sodhi |
| Father | Ahmed Ali |
| Mother | Philomena Torresan |
| Children | Ajit, Pia, Armana |
| Siblings | Niaz Ali |
| Affairs – Boyfriend(s) | Colonel R.S. Sodhi |
| Significant Relationships | Long-term marriage |
Rise to Stardom
Nafisa’s entry into Bollywood was serendipitous. She won the Femina Miss India title in 1976 and was 2nd runner-up at Miss International. Her acting debut came with Junoon (1979), directed by Shyam Benegal and produced by Shashi Kapoor.
Her performance as Ruth Labadoor was widely appreciated, and it opened doors to a successful film career. She later starred in:
- Major Saab (1998) with Amitabh Bachchan
- Life in a… Metro (2007) with Dharmendra
- Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011) with the Deol family
Her roles often portrayed strong, graceful women, adding depth to the films she was part of.
Nafisa Ali – Selfie
Nafisa Ali – Debut Film – Junoon
Nafisa Ali – Successful Film – Major Saab
Career, Awards, and Achievements
Nafisa Ali’s career spans cinema, sports, activism, and politics. She has been a national swimming champion, a beauty queen, a Bollywood actress, and a political candidate.
- Miss India (1976)
- Miss International – 2nd Runner-up (1977)
- Chairperson of Children’s Film Society of India (2005)
- Official Delegate at UN Summit on Women (2005)
- Contested Lok Sabha elections from South Kolkata (2004)
- Joined Samajwadi Party (2009), later rejoined Indian National Congress
- Joined All India Trinamool Congress (2021)
- AIDS awareness campaigns with Action India
- Relief work during Orissa Cyclone and Gujarat Earthquake
- Founded Ashraya, a care home for HIV-positive individuals
| Career Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Profession(s) | Actress, Politician |
| Debut Film | Junoon (1979) |
| Notable Roles | Junoon, Major Saab, Life in a Metro, Guzaarish, Big B |
| Recent Films – New Movies | Uunchai, Max, Min and Meowzaki |
| Upcoming Films | N/A |
| Popular Television Series | N/A |
| Awards and Achievements | Miss India 1976, Miss International 2nd Runner-up, National Swimmer |
| Endorsements/Brand Collaborations | Tihar Jail Perfume (Wah-O) |
| Philanthropy/Charity Work | Ashraya HIV Home, Action India, Orissa Cyclone Relief, Gujarat Earthquake Aid |
| Professional Associations | Congress Human Rights Commission, FTII Board, Indian Bank Director |
| Training and Education | La Martiniere Calcutta, Vedanta Studies |
| Production Company | N/A |
| Box Office Success – Hit Movies | Major Saab, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Life in a Metro |
| Critical Acclaim Movies | Junoon, Guzaarish, Big B, Life in a Metro |
Assets and Finances – Net Worth
| Financial Profile | Information |
|---|---|
| Net Worth in Dollars | $850,000–$1M |
| Per Movie Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Per Endorsement Charges in Dollars | N/A |
| Sponsorship Deals | Action India, Shikhar Group, Acron Developers |
| Business Ventures | APPNA Boutique, MyGlobalBazar, Dynamic Execution Pvt Ltd7 |
| Investments | Ayas Agro Farmers Producer Co., Magenta Investments |
| Real Estate Holdings | Goa villa, Nainital property, Delhi residence |
| Luxury Items/Properties Owned | Designer boutique, antique paintings, jewelry |
| Cars Collection | Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, and Bentley |
Favorite Things, Likes and Dislikes
| Favorite Things | Information |
|---|---|
| Favorite Actor | Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar |
| Favorite Actress | Rekha, Hema Malini |
| Favorite Film | Junoon, Life in a Metro |
| Favorite Music Bands | N/A |
| Favorite Sport | Swimming, Polo |
| Favorite Books | Vedanta texts, Inspirational biographies |
| Favorite Colour | White, Pink |
| Favorite Food | Homemade healthy food |
| Things s/he like | Gardening, Photography, Cooking |
| Things s/he dislike | Overcrowded events, Fad diets |
Top 5 Best Films – Nafisa Ali
| Film Name | Year of Release | Character Played |
|---|---|---|
| Junoon | 1979 | Ruth Labadoor |
| Major Saab | 1998 | Dr. Priya J. Rana |
| Life in a… Metro | 2007 | Shivani |
| Yamla Pagla Deewana | 2011 | Mrs. Dhillon |
| Guzaarish | 2010 | Isabel Mascarenhas |
Controversies – Nafisa Ali
- MF Husain Painting Auction: Accused of promoting controversial art depicting Bharat Mata; later cleared by Delhi High Court.
- Political Shifts: Frequent changes in political affiliations raised eyebrows.
- Stage 3 Cancer Diagnosis: Publicly shared her health battle, sparking media attention.
- Film Rejections: Regretted turning down Raj Kapoor’s film “Heena” due to parental pressure.
- Bold Statements: Known for outspoken views on secularism and women’s rights.
Interesting Facts – Nafisa Ali
- She was nicknamed “Sizzling Water Baby” during her swimming days.
- She won Miss India and was Miss International 2nd runner-up.
- She worked as a jockey at Calcutta Gymkhana in 1979.
- She studied Vedanta philosophy under Swami Chinmayananda.
- She shaved her head at Tirupati Temple after a wish came true.
- As a child, she sold tea at a railway station for fun.
Nafisa Ali’s life is a masterclass in versatility, resilience, and grace. From winning beauty pageants to starring in critically acclaimed films, from swimming championships to political activism—she has done it all. Her story is not just about fame but about purpose, courage, and compassion.
Whether you admire her for her cinematic talent, her social work, or her fearless personality, Nafisa Ali remains a timeless icon in Indian entertainment and public life.
