Kumari Naaz


Salma Baig popularly known as Kumari Naaz or Baby Naaz was an Indian actress in Hindi language films.

Career

She started her career as a child actor in films. Her best remembered role as a child artiste was in R. K. Films’ Boot Polish. She earned rave reviews for her earnest natural performance from The New York Times and a special distinction from Cannes Film Festival in 1955, where the film was shown in competition.
In 1958, a Hindi film adaptation called Do Phool 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.
She matured into a character actress and bagged good roles in films like Bahu Begum, Kati Patang and Sachaa Jhutha.

Awards and honours

;1955 Cannes Film Festival
It was a Distinction award which was a tie between two child artistes at the 1955 Cannes Film Festival. The other was Pablito Calvo for his child actor performance in the 1955 Spanish film Marcelino, pan y vino.

Later career

She 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

She married actor Subbiraj in 1965 and continued working. The two had acted together in Mera Ghar Mere Bachche and Dekha Pyar Tumhara.

Filmography

Her films include:
YearFilmCharacter/Role
1989Apna Desh Paraye Log-
1989Pyase NainDr. Bharti
1986Bhai Ka Dushman Bhai
1986SheeshaPramila
1984PhulwariShobha
1984BoxerMrs. Khatau
1982Bhai Aakhir Bhai Hota Hai
1982Swami DadaLallu's Wife
1982Shriman Shrimati 
1980Bambai Ka MaharajaMary
1978Kaala Aadmi 
1978Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki 
1978PhandebaazPrincess Ratna
1978Bhola BhalaSarla
1977Chakkar Pe ChakkarMrs. Babu
1977Niyaz Aur NamaazSayeeda
1977KarmKammo
1976Aap BeatiSheela Jumani
1976BairaagVimla
1976Do KhiladiDancer during Qawwali
1975Do JhootVandana's Sister
1975SanyasiSavitri
1975SewakNeeru
1974Do Aankhen
1974Paise Ki GudiyaNeela Gupta
1974Woh Main Nahin
1974Phir Kab MilogiAmba
1974FriendKalyani Sharma
1973SamjhautaChampa
1973Raja RaniPatron's Wife
1972Shaadi Ke BaadSavitri B. Singh
1972ShorShankar's Sister
1972WafaaMeera
1971DushmunKamla G. Din
1971JwalaRajkumari Rupa
1971PreetamGauri
1971Haathi Mere SaathiParo
1970HimmatBanthu
1970Kati PatangPoonam
1970Sachcha JhuthaBelu
1970Rootha Na KaroNaina
1969Aya Sawan Jhoom KeSangeeta Y. Singh
1969Jahan Pyar Miley
1969Raja SaabHameshbahar
1968JuariPrincess Sabita
1968Nadir Shah
1967Bahu BegumSuraiya
1967Chhaila BabuMeena
1965Saiyan Se Neha Lagaibe 
1964Baghi
1964Chandi Ki Deewar
1964Char DerveshPrincess Hamida
1964Hercules
1964Kaise KahoonAnita Laxmichand
1964MajboorSeema
1963BidesiyaParvati
1963Dekha Pyaar Tumhara
1963Mere Arman Mere SapneShanti
1963Mujhe Jeene DoChauthi Begum
1963Pyar Ka BandhanSona
1962Man-MaujiLaxmi
1962Gangu
1961Ganga JumnaYoung Dhanno
1961Zindagi Aur KhwabRasila
1960Dil Apna Aur Preet ParaiMunni
1960Mera Ghar Mere BachcheMeena
1960Lambe Haath
1960Maa BaapPratima
1959Four Faces of India 
1959Heera MotiRoopnandan's Daughter
1959KanganSecretary
1959Kaagaz Ke PhoolPramila Sinha
1959ArdhanginiDancer / Singer
1959Bhai BahenSoni K. Rai
1958Do PhoolPoornima
1958Ghar Grihasti
1958Ghar SansarAsha
1958LajwantiRenu
1958YahudiYoung Lydia
1958Miss 58
1957MusafirMunni
1957PayalPadma
1956Diwali Ki Raat 
1956Ek SholaUsha
1956Rajdhani
1956Ek Hi RastaGirl in Raja's birthday
1955KundanYoung Radha / Young Uma
1955Lagan 
1955Mast Qalandar
1955Patit Pawan
1955Raftar 
1955DevdasYoung Parvati
1955Hatimtai Ki Beti 
1954Chandni Chowk 
1954Subah Ka TaraHeera
1954Boot PolishBelu
1954Shama Parwana 
1953Gunah 
1950Rupaiya