Rani was a Pakistani film and television actress. She gained success in the late 1960s when she made a hit pair with famous actor and producer Waheed Murad. She was also known as The Dancing Queen, Queen of Lollywood and Lux Girl for her portrayal of romantic and dancing roles in films. She remained one of the most successful actresses of the subcontinent and was also popular for her dance performances in films.
Rani was born on 8 December 1946 as Nasira in Mozang, Lahore to Malik Muhammed Shafi and Iqbal Begum in an Arain family. Her father was a driver for Mukhtar Begum, a singer and the wife of Agha Hashar Kashmiri, a well-known Urdu dramatist. Mukhtar Begum took over and raised Rani herself. After being raised by Mukhtar Begum, Rani moved in with her mother with whom she reconciled. Rani acted in both Urdu and Punjabi films and was a film heroine in Pakistani films. In 1962 Anwar Kamal Pasha, a veteran film director of the 1950s and 1960s, gave Rani her first role in the film Mehboob (1962 film). For several years after Mehoob, Rani appeared in supporting roles in films like Mouj Maila, Ek Tera Sahara and Safaid Khoon. Until 1965 she starred in other films, but when they flopped she was dubbed a jinxed actress.
However, after the success of Hazar Dastan and Devar Bhabi, Rani became a leading actress. Some of her more notable films are Chann Makhna, Sajjan Pyara, Jind Jan, Duniya MatlabDi, Anjuman, Tehzeeb, Umrao Jaan Ada, Naag Muni, Seeta Maryam Margaret, Aik Gunnah Aur Sahi and Surraya Bhopali. She also acted in two TV serials Khuwahish and Fareb in the early 1990s.
