Veteran character actress for nearly six decades, Shammi Rabadi passed away at her home here late on Monday, a family friend said. She was 89.
According to Bollywood personality Ashok Shekhar, she had been ailing since some time. She breathed her last at her Juhu Circle home.
Her funeral shall be performed at the Oshiwara cemetery later in the day, Shekhar told media.
Actor Amitabh Bachchan was the first to pay respects.
Shammi, whose real name was Nargis, was a Parsi and the former wife of legendary Bollywood filmmaker, the late Sultan Ahmed.
She became a popular character artist portraying supporting roles of aunt, granny, elder spinster in the family, et al, besides acting for television serials.
Her career got a second wind in the 90s with the TV boom. Many will remember her as the genial grandmother in shows such as Dekh Bhai Dekh, Kabhi Yeh Kabhi Woh, Zabaan Sambhal Ke and Shriman Shrimati. She was also seen in films such as Hum Saath Saath Hain; her last film was Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi starring Farah Khan and Boman Irani.
Sunil Dutt’s daughter and Congress leader Priya Dutt tweeted: “Shammi aunty to me and a great actor of yesteryears passed away today. She was my mother’s dear friend and someone we all loved very much. May her soul rest in peace and her laughter and contagious smile rock the heavens. Be In peace with your friends.”