Who is Nafisa Ali? Veteran Bollywood actress, shows courage amid cancer battle

Veteran Bollywood actress Nafisa Ali is once again inspiring millions with her courage as she battles stage 4 peritoneal and ovarian cancer. The actress recently shared a new photo on Instagram, proudly embracing her bald look after chemotherapy. Her strength and positivity have earned her widespread praise from fans and celebrities alike.

Who is Nafisa Ali? Early Life and Background

Born in Kolkata, Nafisa Ali is the daughter of Ahmed Ali and Philomena Torresan. She studied at La Martiniere Calcutta, where she developed her love for sports. Between 1972 and 1974, she was India’s national swimming champion. Her journey took a turn when she entered the world of pageantry — in 1976, Nafisa won the Eve’s Weekly Miss India title and represented the country at the Miss International contest.

In 1979, she even worked as a jockey at the Calcutta Gymkhana, proving her versatility and adventurous spirit.

Acting Career

Nafisa made her Bollywood debut in Shyam Benegal’s 1979 film Junoon. Over the years, she starred in several hit films including Kshatriya, Aatank, Major Saab, Bewafaa, Life in a Metro, Big B, and Yamla Pagla Deewana. Her most recent film appearance was in 2022’s Uunchai alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Boman Irani, and Anupam Kher.

Political Journey

Beyond acting, Nafisa also entered politics. She contested the 2004 Lok Sabha elections from South Kolkata. Later, in 2009, she represented the Samajwadi Party in Lucknow. She returned to the Indian National Congress later that year, and in 2021, she joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC).

Fighting Cancer with Grace

Nafisa was first diagnosed with stage 3 peritoneal and ovarian cancer in 2018. After recovering in 2019, the disease returned in a more aggressive form. Despite the challenges, she continues to stay positive. Sharing her new photo with the caption, “Positive power …with my best friend Gaby,” Nafisa once again reminded her followers of the strength that comes with optimism.