Nafisa Ali (also known as Nafisa Ali Sodhi) is an Indian actress, model, politician, and social activist, whose life has been marked by versatile achievements, flexibility in adversity and a continuous commitment for reasons beyond her film career. He has made his mark in sports, beauty competition, films and public life to maintain relevance and respect in several decades.
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IndiaTimes
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Hindustan Times
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Early life and family background
Nafisa Ali was born on 18 January 1957 in Kolkata (then Calcutta), West Bengal, India.
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The Indian Express
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His family background is multicultural: his father, Ahmed Ali, was a Bengali and worked as a photographer.
Kashmirpen
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Her mother, Philomena Torsion, is of Anglo-Indian heritage.
His native grandfather, s. Wajid Ali was a prominent Bengali writer. He also has family relations with journalism and public service: for example, her ancestral aunt (her father's sister) was a journalist and feminist leader Zab-un-Nisa Hamidullah in Pakistan.
Nafisa Ali participated in La Martinier, Calcutta for schooling.
As a young girl, she was a strong swimmer and achieved significant initial success in the game. She was the champion of India in West Bengal and then in swimming, especially as a national champion in 1972–1974.
Pageantry and initial public recognition
In 1976, Nafisa Ali won the title of EV's weekly Miss India.
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She then represented India at Miss International Pagent and was declared 2 runs-ups.
Apart from being a beauty queen, she also tried her hand in other areas of the competition: She was a jockey in Calcutta Gymkhana in 1979.
Film career
His film started in 1979 with passion, directed by Shyam Benegal to Shashi Kapoor. The film is based on Ruskin Bond's novel A flight of pigeons, set around the time of the 1857 rebellion.
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Hindustan Times
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After that, she appeared in several films in decades. Some of his notable Bollywood films include Major Saab (1998), Bewafa (2005), Life in a ... Metro (2007), Guzarish (2010), Yamla Pagla Deewana (2011).
He has also worked in regional cinema; For example, in Malayalam in the film Big B (2007) with Mammooty.
Their roles vary from lead/support characters, which are often marked by strong appearance. He has also been recognized for his grace, poetry and ability to bring depth in the characters he plays. Over time, however, his film shows have often reduced, but each borres his signature.
Political and activism work
Beyond films, Nafisa Ali has been active in public life and politics. He has selected elections, joined political parties, and joined social reasons.
In 2004, she chose the Lok Sabha elections from South Kolkata, but she was not successful.
In 2009, he contested from Lucknow on a Samajwadi Party ticket.
Later, he re -included the Indian National Congress in November 2009.
Recently, in October 2021, she joined the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) before the 2022 Goa Legislative Assembly elections.
As a worker, Nafisa Ali has been associated with children's welfare (he is associated with the Children's Film Society of India), AIDS Awareness (through an organization called Action India), and other social issues.
personal life
Nafisa Ali's wedding Colonel R.S. From Sodhi, who was a polo player, who won the Arjuna Award.
The couple have three children: two daughters - Armana and Piya - and a son, Ajit.
She has lived in various parts of India and also maintains a strong passionate relationship for her roots in Kolkata.
Health conflict and flexibility
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She undergone treatment including surgery and chemotherapy, and was declared cancer-free in 2019.
However, recently (in 2025), she revealed that cancer has returned and now is on stage 4 peritoneal cancer. Surgery is no longer considered viable, and has resumed chemotherapy.
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Dainik jagran mp cg
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The Times of India
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Despite the diagnosis and treatment side effects of hard disease, she is notablely open about her experience, sharing updates, reflects life, and encourages her children and followers. His attitude has received praise for his courage and positivity.
Heritage and public image
Nafisa Ali is often seen as a symbol of strength, grace and versatility. His career in athletics, beauty, cinema and public service reflects his desire to step into diverse Arenas and feel his presence.
She is celebrated not only for her look or acting, but also for her humanity: how she handles adversity, her desire to speak on social issues, and with which she takes herself.
Their story resonates with many - especially women - as an example of flexibility: overcoming the disease, balanced public life and family, switching roles (to act from sports to pageantry to politics), and to be engaged in meaningful reasons.
recent developments
By the end of 2025, Nafisa Ali is in a new phase of her health trip: she has publicly shared that cancer has recurred in stage 4, and she is going through chemotherapy again. Surgery is denied.
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The Times of India
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She continues to communicate with her audience through social media, shares her reflections on both challenges (medical, emotionally) and life. She emphasizes love, family bonds, memories, and often speaks with gratitude about life.
2. Navigating Family and Professional Life
ReplyDeleteFocus on her personal choice to step away from her career after marrying Colonel Ravinder Singh Sodhi, a polo player, to focus on raising their children (daughters Armana and Pia, and son Ajit). Discuss the balance she later struck between her family life and her subsequent return to the public eye, including her later film roles in movies like Major Saab and Life In A Metro.