Farida Jalal
Biography
Farida Jalal, born Farida Sami on 14 March 1949 in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, is a female Indian actress who has worked in Hindi cinema and television. Beginning her film career as a teenager, she appeared in leading and supporting roles throughout the 1970s and early 1980s before becoming widely recognized for motherly characters in the 1990s and early 2000s. Over a career of nearly half a century she has acted in more than 200 films and has accumulated 148 credited roles. Her work has earned four Filmfare Awards, two Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards, a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, and the Best Actress Award at the 2012 Harlem International Film Festival.
Career overview
Farida Jalal, born on 14 March 1949 in Bombay, India (now Mumbai), is an Indian actress whose work spans Hindi cinema and television. Beginning her film career as a teenager, she appeared in leading and supporting roles throughout the 1970s and the early 1980s, contributing to a body of work that now exceeds two hundred films. Over the decades she has amassed more than one hundred forty‑eight credited performances, establishing a reputation for versatility across a wide range of genres.
From the 1990s into the early 2000s, Jalal became widely recognised for portraying motherly characters, a shift that cemented her status as a household name in Indian popular culture. Her sustained presence on screen has been acknowledged through several industry honors, including four Filmfare Awards, two Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards, a Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance, and the Best Actress Award at the 2012 Harlem International Film Festival. These accolades reflect both critical appreciation and the enduring appeal of her performances.
Jalal’s career, which approaches half a century in length, continues to be defined by her contributions to both film and television, reinforcing her position as one of the most prolific and respected figures in contemporary Indian entertainment.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full filmography
- Welcome to the Jungle (2026) as Badi Bi
- O'Romeo (2026) as Dadi
- The Great Shamsuddin Family (2025) as Akko
- Aabeer Gulaal (2025) as Nani
- Love in Vietnam (2025)
- The Great Indian Kapil Show (2024) as Self
- Heeramandi (2024) as Qudsia Begum
- Ittu Si Baat (2022) as Dadi
- Shaadi, Dahej and Gangster (2021)
- Lines (2021) as as Fatima Bibi
- Jawaani Jaaneman (2020) as Jazz's Mother
- Parchhayee: Ghost Stories By Ruskin Bond (2019) as Dadi Ji
- Batti Gul Meter Chalu (2018) as Lalita's Grandmother
- Sargoshiyan (2017)
- I'm Not a Terrorist (2017) as Zabira
- The Kapil Sharma Show (2016) as Self
- Love Shots (2016)
- Bezubaan Ishq (2015)
- Kaash Tum Hote (2014)
- A Gran Plan (2014) as Satvinder Kaur Bedi
- Comedy Nights with Kapil (2013) as Self
- Raqt: A Psycho Thriller (2013) as Maria
- Student Of The Year (2012) as Abhimanyu's Grandmother
- Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai (2012)
- Love Breakups Zindagi (2011) as Beeji
- 4 Times Lucky (2011)
- Chala Mussaddi - Office Office (2011) as Shanti Tripathi
- Rishta.com (2010) as Ruchika's Mother
- Aashayein (2010) as Madhu
- Khuda Kasam (2010) as Fatima
- Big Brother (2007) as Sitadevi S. Gandhi / Sharma
- Nadia Khan Show (2006) as Herself
- Aryan: Unbreakable (2006) as Mrs. Braganza
- Barsaat (2005) as Kajal's grandmother
- Indian Idol (2004) as Self
- Taarzan: The Wonder Car (2004) as Mrs. Chaudhary
- Garv: Pride and Honour (2004) as Mrs.Dixit
- Shararat - Thoda Jaadu, Thodi Nazaakat (2003) as Sushma "Nani" Malhotra
- Pinjar (2003) as Mrs. Shyamlal
- Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon (2003)
- Jaal: The Trap (2003) as Sudha Kaul
- Fun2shh... Dudes in the 10th Century (2003)
- Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003) as Asha 'Jiji'
- Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai (2002) as Herself
- Deewangee (2002) as Mrs. Goyal
- The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002) as Vidyavati K. Singh
- Badhaai Ho Badhaai (2002)
- Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai (2002) as Mrs. Chaudhary
- Kuch Tum Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein (2002) as Vishnupratap's wife
- Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) as Sayeeda “Daijaan / DJ” Naaz
- Lajja (2001) as Mrs. Saroj
- Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) as Asha Malhotra
- Moksha: Salvation (2001)
- Zubeidaa (2001) as Mammo
- Farz hind (2001) as Rukmani Singh
- Hey Ram (2000) as Kasturba Gandhi
- Anjaane (2000)
- Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) as Lily Anthony Rodriques
- Pukar (2000) as Gayetri Rajvansh
- Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) as Mrs. Oberoi
- Kya Kehna (2000) as Rohini Bakshi
- Bichhoo (2000) as Neha Khandelwal
- Gaja Gamini (2000) as Noorbibi
- Khauff (2000) as Mrs. Jaidev Singh
- Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (2000) as Pooja's mother
- Kaali Topi Lal Rumaal (2000) as Shalu's Mom
- Sar Ankhon Par (1999)
- Dil Kya Kare (1999)
- Khoobsurat (1999) as Sudha Chaudhary
- Hindustan Ki Kasam (1999) as Mother of Ajay / Raju / Tauheed
- Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) as Mrs. Khanna
- Duplicate (1998) as Mrs. Chaudhary
- Jab Pyaar Kisise Hota Hai (1998) as Komal's Mother
- Soldier (1998)
- Salaakhen (1998) as Gayetri S. Agnihotri
- Saat Rang Ke Sapne (1998) as Yashoda
- Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) as Ajay's mother
- Aflatoon (1997) as Raja's Mother
- Judaai (1997) as Kaajal's Mother
- Ziddi (1997) as Jaya's mother
- Lahoo Ke Do Rang (1997) as Halima
- Mohabbat (1997) as Geetarani M.Kapoor
- Raja Hindustani (1996) as Chachi
- Angaara (1996)
- Diljale (1996) as Shyam's mother
- Dushman Duniya Ka (1996) as Manager of women's shelter
- Rajkumar (1996) as Panna (Dai maa)
- Shastra (1996) as Aunty
- Loafer (1996) as Janki Kumar
- Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995) as Lajwanti 'Lajjo' Singh
- Veergati (1995) as Parvati
- Jawab (1995) as Rajeshwar's maidservant
- Laadla (1994) as Gayetri Verma
- Krantiveer (1994) as Mrs. Tilak
- Elaan (1994) as Revati Chaudhry
- Dulaara (1994) as Mrs. Florence Joyner
- Mammo (1994) as Mammo
- Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993) as Suhasini Deewan
- Gardish (1993) as Laxmi Sathe
- Dil Aashna Hai (1992) as Razia
- Kal Ki Awaz (1992) as Akbari
- Bekhudi (1992) as Aunty
- Henna (1991) as Bibi Gul
- Pushpaka Vimana (1987) as Magician's wife
- Such is Life (1984) as Ranjit's aunt
- Bandh Honth (1984)
- Mangal Pandey (1983) as Deepa R. Pandey
- Yaarana (1981)
- Jwaala Daaku (1981) as Sita (Jwala's sister-in-law)
- Abdullah (1980) as Yashoda
- Chambal Ki Kasam (1980)
- Jurmana (1979) as Laila
- Ganga Ki Saugand (1978) as Champa
- The Chess Players (1977) as Nafisa
- Alaap (1977) as Sulakshana Gupta
- Palkon Ki Chhaon Mein (1977)
- Charandas (1977) as Valesia
- Kasam Khoon Ki (1977)
- Bundal Baaz (1976) as Malti
- Koi Jeeta Koi Haara (1976)
- Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty (1975)
- Khushboo (1975) as Manno
- Dharmatma (1975) as Mona
- Uljhan (1975)
- Do Jasoos (1975) as Hema Nihalchand
- Kaala Sona (1975) as Bela
- Aakraman (1975) as Asha
- Majboor (1974) as Renu Khanna
- Naya Din Nai Raat (1974)
- Bobby (1973) as Alka 'Nikki' Sharma
- Loafer (1973) as Roopa
- Achanak (1973) as Nurse Radha
- Raja Rani (1973) as Anita
- Naina (1973)
- Heera (1973) as Laheriya
- Zindagi Zindagi (1972) as Shyama
- Rivaaj (1972) as Renu
- Paras (1971)
- Lagan (1971) as Durga
- Khoj (1971)
- Gopi (1970) as Nandini
- Devi (1970)
- Aradhana (1969) as Renu
- Mahal (1969) as Nurse
- Baharon Ki Manzil (1968) as Nalini S.S. Roy
- Taqdeer (1967)
- Jahan Ara (1964)
- Pashmeena as Naani