Created by MyronMullet1862
Last edited March 7, 2026


Geeta Nizami
Geeta Nizami
Nizami in 1946
Other names
Geeta Vedi


Occupation
Template:Hlist
Years active
1944–51



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

File:Panna1944.jpg
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. 1.0 1.1 Geeta Nizami. Cinemaazi. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  2. Aadhunik Nibandh{{#if:Kapoor|, Kapoor}. Kitabghar Prakashan. ISBN 978-81-88118-65-6
  3. Hindī sinemā kā sunaharā saphara{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Sinevāṇī Prakāśana(1988)
  4. FilmIndia (1946){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Bombay(1946)
  5. Top Earners 1945. Box Office India website. Retrieved 25 August 2025.
  6. Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. J. Udeshi(1970)
  7. And The Music Lives On{{#if:Premchand|, Premchand}. Notion Press(2024-10-30). ISBN 979-8-89588-691-5
  8. FilmIndia (1949){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Bombay(1949)
  9. Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. J. Udeshi(1970)
  10. Collections{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Update Video Publication(1991)
  11. FilmIndia (1949){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Bombay(1949)
  12. Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. J. Udeshi(1970)
  13. Follywood Flashback: A Collection of Movie Memories{{#if:Reuben|, Reuben}. Indus(1993). ISBN 978-81-7223-106-4
  14. Indian Filmography: Silent & Hindi Films, 1897-1969{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. J. Udeshi(1970)
  15. LEGENDS OF INDIAN SILVER SCREEN{{#if:Division|, Division}. Publications Division Ministry of Information & Broadcasting. ISBN 978-81-230-2116-4
  16. Legends of Indian Silver Screen: The Winners of Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1992-2014){{#if:Selvan|, Selvan}. Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India(2015). ISBN 978-81-230-2039-6
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Filmindia{{#if:Patel|, Patel}. Filmindia Publications(1952)
  18. 18.0 18.1 Postcolonial Bollywood and Muslim Identity: Production, Representation, and Reception{{#if:Khatun|, Khatun}. Oxford University Press(2024). ISBN 978-0-19-889101-7
  19. A Wet Afternoon: Stories, Sketches, Reminiscences{{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Alhamra(2001). ISBN 978-969-516-040-4
  20. Scorecard{{#if:Hasan|, Hasan}. Wajidalis(1984)
  21. FilmIndia (1946){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Bombay(1946)
  22. FilmIndia (1948){{#if:|, {{{last}}}}. Bombay(1948)