Kumari Naaz

Salma Baig (20 August 1944 – 19 October 1995), professionally known as Kumari Naaz or Baby Naaz, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi- and Bhojpuri-language films. Best known for her performance in a juvenile role in Boot Polish, Naaz was the highest-paid child actor in Bollywood at the time.

She later featured in a string of supporting roles in Hindi films from the 1960s to the 1980s. Naaz became one of the most popular leading ladies of Bhojpuri cinema, notably starring in Bidesiya (1963) and Saiyan Se Neha Lagaibe (1965).

Naaz was married to actor Subbiraj of the Kapoor family and had two children. She died in 1995 of a chronic liver disease. She earned rave reviews for her earnest natural performance from The New York Times and a special distinction (along with co-actor Rattan Kumar) from Cannes Film Festival in 1955, where the film was shown in competition.

In 1958, a Hindi film adaptation called Do Phool (Two Flowers) was released based on the Swiss literary novel/ icon Heidi. The role of Heidi – called Poornima in the film – was played by Baby Naaz who was one of the most famous child stars at the time along with Master Romi.

Naaz debuted in the Bhojpuri film industry with the successful film Bidesiya (1963). Avijit Ghosh notes that she became a "sought-after Bhojpuri star" following Bidesiya, and went on to play the leading lady in many Bhojpuri films, including Saiyan Se Neha Lagaiba and Ayeel Basant Bahar (both 1965). She later transitioned to mature roles in Ganga Kinare Mora Gaon (1983). Naaz stated that she "wanted to erase the image of Baby Naaz from the audience's mind" and "enjoy[ed] working more in Bhojpuri films because there is no star system in regional films."

In Hindi films also, she later matured into a character actress and played supporting roles in films like Bahu Begum, Kati Patang and Sachaa Jhutha (where she played Rajesh Khanna's physically challenged sister).

Naaz later transitioned into a second career as a dubbing artiste. Before Sridevi started using her own voice, Kumari Naaz dubbed for her in the early Hindi hits of the 1980s.

Personal life and death She married actor Subbiraj (cousin of veteran actor Raj Kapoor) in 1965 and continued working; the two had acted together in Mera Ghar Mere Bachche (1960) and Dekha Pyar Tumhara (1963). She converted to Hinduism after marriage, renaming herself "Anuradha".

Accolades 1955 Cannes Film Festival — Special Mention (Distinction) — She received this honour for her performance in Boot Polish (1954), along with child actor Pablito Calvo for his performance in the Spanish film Marcelino, pan y vino (1955)

Filmography Her films include: Year Film Character/Role 1989 Apna Desh Paraye Log 1989 Pyase Nain Dr. Bharti 1986 Bhai Ka Dushman Bhai 1986 Sheesha Pramila (as Naaz) 1984 Phulwari Shobha 1984 Boxer Mrs. Khatau (as Naaz) 1982 Bhai Aakhir Bhai Hota Hai 1982 Swami Dada Lallu's Wife 1982 Shriman Shrimati (as Naaz) 1980 Bambai Ka Maharaja Mary 1978 Kaala Aadmi (as Naaz) 1978 Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (as Naaz) 1978 Phandebaaz Princess Ratna 1978 Bhola Bhala Sarla (as Naaz) 1977 Chakkar Pe Chakkar Mrs. Babu (as Naaz) 1977 Niyaz Aur Namaaz Sayeeda 1977 Karm Kammo 1976 Aap Beati Sheela Jumani 1976 Bairaag Vimla (as Naaz) 1976 Do Khiladi Dancer during Qawwali 1975 Do Jhoot Vandana's Sister (as Naaz) 1975 Sanyasi Savitri (uncredited) 1975 Sewak Neeru 1974 Do Aankhen 1974 Paise Ki Gudiya Neela Gupta 1974 Woh Main Nahin 1974 Phir Kab Milogi Amba (as Naaz) 1974 Friend Kalyani Sharma (as Naaz) 1973 Samjhauta Champa (as Naaz) 1973 Raja Rani Patron's Wife (as Naaz) 1972 Shaadi Ke Baad Savitri B. Singh 1972 Shor Shankar's Sister (as Naaz) 1972 Wafaa Meera (as Naaz) 1971 Dushmun Kamla G. Din (as Naaz) 1971 Jwala Rajkumari Rupa 1971 Preetam Gauri (as Naaz) 1971 Haathi Mere Saathi Paro (as Naaz) 1970 Himmat Banthu (as Naaz) 1970 Kati Patang Poonam (uncredited) 1970 Sachcha Jhutha Belu (as Naaz) 1970 Rootha Na Karo Naina 1969 Aya Sawan Jhoom Ke Sangeeta Y. Singh 1969 Jahan Pyar Miley 1969 Raja Saab Hameshbahar 1968 Juari Princess Sabita 1968 Nadir Shah 1967 Bahu Begum Suraiya (as Naaz) 1967 Chhaila Babu Meena 1965 Saiyan Se Neha Lagaibe (as Naaz) 1965 Ayeel Basant Bahar 1964 Baghi 1964 Chandi Ki Deewar 1964 Char Dervesh Princess Hamida 1964 Hercules 1964 Kaise Kahoon Anita Laxmichand 1964 Majboor Seema 1963 Bidesiya Parvati 1963 Dekha Pyaar Tumhara 1963 Mere Arman Mere Sapne Shanti 1963 Mujhe Jeene Do Chauthi Begum (as Naaz) 1963 Pyar Ka Bandhan Sona (as Naaz) 1962 Man-Mauji Laxmi 1962 Gangu 1961 Ganga Jumna Young Dhanno (as Naaz) 1961 Zindagi Aur Khwab Rasila 1960 Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai Munni 1960 Mera Ghar Mere Bachche Meena 1960 Lambe Haath 1960 Maa Baap Pratima (as Naaz) 1959 Four Faces of India (as Baby Naaz) 1959 Heera Moti Roopnandan's Daughter (as Baby Naaz) 1959 Kangan Secretary 1959 Kaagaz Ke Phool Pramila Sinha (as Baby Naaz) 1959 Ardhangini Dancer / Singer 1959 Bhai Bahen Soni K. Rai (as Baby Naaz) 1958 Do Phool Poornima (as Baby Naaz) 1958 Ghar Grihasti 1958 Ghar Sansar Asha 1958 Lajwanti Renu (as Baby Naaz) 1958 Yahudi Young Lydia (as Baby Naaz) 1958 Miss 58 1957 Musafir Munni (as Baby Naaz) 1957 Payal Padma (as Baby Naaz) 1956 Diwali Ki Raat (as Naaz) 1956 Ek Shola Usha (as Baby Naaz) 1956 Rajdhani 1956 Ek Hi Rasta Girl in Raja's birthday (singing "Bade Bhaiya Laya Hai") (as Baby Naaz) 1955 Kundan Young Radha / Young Uma (as Baby Naaz) 1955 Lagan (as Baby Naaz) 1955 Mast Qalandar 1955 Patit Pawan 1955 Raftar (as Baby Naaz) 1955 Devdas Young Parvati (as Baby Naaz) 1955 Hatimtai Ki Beti (as Naaz) 1954 Chandni Chowk (as Baby Naaz) 1954 Subah Ka Tara Heera 1954 Boot Polish Belu (as Baby Naaz) 1954 Shama Parwana (as Naaz) 1953 Gunah (as Baby Naaz) 1950 Rupaiya (as Baby Naaz)