Early Life and Background
Nargis Fakhri was born on October 20, 1979, in Queens, New York City. Her father, Mohammed Fakhri, was of Pakistani descent, while her mother, Marie Fakhri, is of Czech origin and a former police officer. Growing up with a mixed cultural heritage, Nargis describes herself as a “global citizen.” She was raised in Mohegan Lake, New York, with her younger sister, Aliya. Nargis faced challenges early in life, as her parents divorced when she was six, and her father passed away a few years later.
Modeling Career: Nargis Fakhri
Fakhri began her modeling career at the age of 16, working in various fashion shows and agencies across the United States. She gained popularity as a contestant on America’s Next Top Model in 2004, participating in the show’s second and third cycles. Although she didn’t reach the top 12, her modeling career took off, leading her to work with freelance agencies and eventually appear in the 2009 Kingfisher Calendar, a popular Indian print campaign. This appearance attracted the attention of Bollywood director Imtiaz Ali, who later cast her in her Bollywood debut, Rockstar.
Bollywood Breakthrough with “Rockstar” (2011)
Nargis Fakhri made her acting debut in 2011 with Imtiaz Ali’s romantic drama Rockstar, opposite Ranbir Kapoor. She portrayed Heer Kaul, a spirited woman from a wealthy Kashmiri Pandit family, in a role that combined romance and tragedy. Due to her limited Hindi proficiency, her dialogues were dubbed by Mona Ghosh Shetty. Although reviews of her performance were mixed, her on-screen chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor and her appearance were widely praised. Rockstar became a commercial hit, and Nargis received several nominations for Best Female Debut.
Continued Success in Bollywood: Nargis Fakhri
After her successful debut, Nargis starred in the political thriller Madras Cafe (2013) alongside John Abraham. She played a British war correspondent, inspired by real-life war journalists, and performed her own dialogues for the first time. Her performance received positive feedback, and the film was praised for its compelling storyline. Later that year, she appeared in an item number, “Dhating Naach,” in Phata Poster Nikhla Hero, a dance sequence with actor Shahid Kapoor.
In 2014, Fakhri starred in the comedy Main Tera Hero with Varun Dhawan, a commercial hit directed by David Dhawan. The film saw her play the role of a Don’s daughter in a light-hearted storyline. Although critics had mixed opinions, she was appreciated for her fit in the comedic genre. That year, she also appeared in the popular song “Yaar Naa Miley” with Salman Khan in the movie Kick, further boosting her popularity.
Nargis Fakhri: Hollywood Debut with “Spy” (2015)
Fakhri made her Hollywood debut in the 2015 action-comedy Spy, directed by Paul Feig. She played Lia, a secret agent alongside stars like Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, and Jude Law. This role marked her first appearance as an antagonist and showcased her versatility. Critics praised her performance, and she received an MTV Movie Award nomination for Best Fight. Spy was a major box office success, grossing over $235 million worldwide.
Notable Roles and Bollywood Success (2016–2018)
In 2016, Fakhri made a special appearance in the Tamil film Saagasam, performing in the song “Desi Girl.” She then starred in Azhar, a biographical sports drama, portraying actress Sangeeta Bijlani, the second wife of cricketer Mohammad Azharuddin. Her performance received mixed reviews, but the film performed moderately well at the box office.
The same year, she appeared in Housefull 3, an ensemble comedy where she played a rich woman in love with a con-man (Abhishek Bachchan). Despite negative reviews, the movie was a significant commercial success. Fakhri also made a cameo appearance in Dishoom as a friend of Saqib Saleem’s character.
Her final release of 2016 was Banjo, a musical drama in which she played Christina, an American who searches for a talented musician in Mumbai. While critics appreciated her effort to capture an “American accent,” the film received mixed reviews and did not perform well at the box office.
Recent Roles and International Projects (2018–Present)
In 2018, Nargis starred in her second Hollywood film, 5 Weddings, a romantic comedy alongside Rajkummar Rao. The film followed an American journalist covering Indian weddings and cultural practices. Though critics found their on-screen chemistry lacking, Fakhri continued to explore diverse roles. She started 2019 with Amavas, a horror thriller directed by Bhushan Patel. Despite high expectations, the film performed poorly at the box office.
Personal Life: Nargis Fakhri
Nargis Fakhri’s relationships have often been in the spotlight. She began dating Bollywood actor Uday Chopra in 2013, which generated considerable media attention. Although there were rumors of an impending marriage, the couple separated in late 2017. In 2018, she confirmed her relationship with American filmmaker Matt Alonzo on Instagram, though they eventually split in 2019. Fakhri identifies as an “eggetarian” and is known for her open views on independence and self-identity, stating in 2024, “Marriage is something that does not define me.”
Philanthropy and Social Initiatives
In 2017, Fakhri was chosen as a counselor for the One Young World summit held in Bogotá, Colombia, joining other global figures like Kofi Annan and Cher. As a counselor, she used her platform to advocate for social and environmental causes, sharing her journey as a global citizen committed to making a positive impact.
Bio: Nargis Fakhri
- Profession: Actress, Model & Singer
Physical Stats
- Height:
- 175 cm (in centimeters)
- 1.75 m (in meters)
- 5′ 9″ (in feet & inches)
- Eye Colour: Dark Brown
- Hair Colour: Black (dyed red, golden blonde & brown)
Controversies
- Film Promotions:
In 2019, reports emerged that Nargis abandoned the promotions of Amavas mid-way, which she attributed to a lack of communication from the film’s team. She defended her actions, expressing disappointment over the accusations regarding her professional commitment. - Advertisement Backlash:
In 2015, Nargis faced criticism for a Mobilink advertisement published in a leading Pakistani newspaper, which many deemed cheap and inappropriate. - Honor Controversy:
In 2014, she received a Gaurd of Honour from the Special Tiger Protection Force for her campaign on endangered tigers. This drew ire from wildlife conservationists, as the award is typically reserved for high-ranking officials.
Relationships
- Marital Status: Unmarried
- Affairs/Boyfriends:
- Ranbir Kapoor (Rumored)
- Uday Chopra (2014-2017)
- Matt Alonzo (2018-2019)
Family
- Parents:
- Father: Mohammed Fakhri
- Mother: Marie Fakhri (Former Mechanical Engineer & Drafter)
- Siblings:
- Brother: None
- Sister: Aliya
Favourite Things
- Food: Butter Chicken, Dal Gosht, Tacos, Pizza, Churros, Tom Yum Soup, Paella, Pad Thai, Zucchini Pasta with Avocado Cream Sauce
- Cuisines: Malvani, Japanese
- Dessert: Gajar Ka Halwa, Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, Red Velvet Cake, Gulab Jamun, Kheer, Bengali Sweets
- Actors: Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan
- Co-Actor: Varun Dhawan
- Actress: Kajol
- Films: The Chronicles of Narnia Series, Beauty and the Beast (1991), Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994)
- Singer: Taylor Swift
- Rap Artist: Snoop Dogg
- Song: “Nobody Knows The Troubles I’ve Seen” by Louis Armstrong
- Director: James Cameron
- Musician: A. R. Rahman
- Colour: Orange
Travel and Dining
- Restaurants: Olive in Mumbai, JW Marriott in Juhu, Wasabi at The Taj Mahal Palace in Mumbai, Blue Jade at Ritz Carlton in Dubai
- Travel Destinations: Greece, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Denmark.
Here are some lesser-known facts about Nargis Fakhri:
- Cultural Background: Nargis Fakhri is a unique blend of cultures, born to a Pakistani father and a Czech mother. This diverse heritage has influenced her identity as a global citizen.
- Mother’s Struggles: Her mother emigrated from former Czechoslovakia to New York, where she faced significant challenges, including living in a refugee camp and working as a cleaner to support her family after her marriage ended.
- Early Life: Nargis grew up in a low-income family in Queens, New York. She fondly recalls attending a summer camp where she learned survival skills like fetching water and cooking in tents.
- Independent Youth: To support her family, she took up various odd jobs from a young age, including shoveling snow, cleaning houses, and bagging groceries.
- Educational Pursuits: Nargis funded her own education and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology, initially aspiring to become a teacher or art therapist.
- Modeling Career Start: She began her modeling career at the age of 16 and gained recognition after appearing in the Kingfisher Calendar in 2009.
- Acting Debut: Nargis was cast in Imtiaz Ali’s film Rockstar (2011) after being spotted from the Kingfisher Calendar, despite having only two months to prepare for the role and learn Hindi.
Language Dubbing
- Language Dubbing: Her Hindi diction in Rockstar was poor, leading to her dialogues being dubbed by another artist, Mona Ghosh Shetty.
- Cultural Adjustment: Upon moving to India in 2012, she experienced culture shock but eventually embraced the changes, calling Mumbai her home.
- Dance Training: After relocating to India, she trained in Kathak and Bollywood dance to enhance her acting skills.
- Singing Career: Nargis made her singing debut in 2017 with the single “Habitaan Vigaad Di,” and later collaborated with Snoop Dogg on her second single “Woofer.”
- Health Journey: She documented her significant weight loss journey on social media, sharing her commitment to fitness and healthy living.
- Board Membership: Nargis serves on the Board of Advisors for MindShare Ventures Group, which focuses on various sectors, including fashion and entertainment.
- Animal Lover: A passionate animal lover, Nargis has a pet dog that she cares for deeply.
