Nargis Dutt’s ironical demise: A lady who wished to be a doctor, lost the battle to cancer

Nargis Dutt. The name brings back several fond memories of Indian cinema – Barsaat, Awara, Aag to name a few. It was not for nothing that she was immortalised in the RK emblem. She was one of Bollywood’s finest actresses in the 50s. Married to Sunil Dutt, a prominent social worker, mother and an independent woman, the life of Nargis was truly inspirational. Indian cinema mourned a colossal loss of gem when she passed away in the year 1981.

Her son Sanjay Dutt was very close to her, and unfortunately, he couldn’t show his debut film ‘Rocky’ to his mother as she passed away few days before its release. It is but a lesser known fact that the beloved actress had an ambition that could not be fulfilled in her entire life. In one of his old interviews, late actor Sunil Dutt had said that there are some memories of their life that can never be forgotten. Among them, one was Nargis’ unfulfilled ambition to be a doctor. (Also Read: Sanjay Dutt wanted to play Sunil Dutt’s character in his biopic but didn’t. Here’s why!)

Sunil Dutt had said, “My wife wanted to do what her father never finished; she wanted to become a doctor. But she was offered a job as an actress at a time when she was too young to decide for herself. Her mother told her to try it and she shot up and became a very great star. But she always wanted to be a doctor and that’s why, even when she became a big star, she always used to go to hospitals, especially cancer hospitals, to take care of the patients and meet them and meet the doctors.”

Ironically, Nargis herself was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and underwent treatment for the disease. But sadly, the medical treatment couldn’t save Nargis and she lost her battle against cancer.

Death is painful, no doubt, but to bear the burden of an unfulfilled desire of a loved one is something that is unfathomable.

Amod Pandit

Quiet, resonant, and creative, he can be seen immersed in his own world, and puts in his heart and soul into the one passion that he has, Bollywood. His line for survival? Feel happy to be a part of it.