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Actor who appeared in films headlined by Mohanlal, Mammootty, Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan lost in love; was forced into sex work, died of AIDS

Although her foray into cinema was accidental, she grew too big too soon in the 1980s and appeared in movies headlined by giants like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Bharathiraja and K Balachander.

Although her foray into cinema was accidental, Nisha Noor grew too big too soon in the 1980s and early '90s.

Actor Nisha Noor in Aval Sumangalithan. (Credit: IMDb)

Though enchanting and enticing from the outside, the world of cinema has often been described as beguiling by many of those on the inside. While several aspirants have eventually achieved stardom and ascended to the top, the number of people whose lives withered away without their dreams being fulfilled is far higher. Among such artistes whose lives took a massive nosedive and ended in tragedy is actor Nisha Noor. Despite appearing in films headlined by South superstars like Mohanlal, Mammootty, Rajinikanth, and Kamal Haasan, it was cinema itself that led to Nisha’s downfall and eventual lonely death.

Born in Tamil Nadu, she was reportedly married off to one of her cousins during her teenage years, but that relationship did not last long. They eventually parted ways, as per a Mathrubhumi report. Although her foray into cinema was accidental, Nisha grew too big too soon in the 1980s and early ’90s.

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After debuting in director duo Krishnan–Panju’s Mangala Nayagi (1980), she went on to work in films headlined by industry giants like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Bharathiraja, K Balachander, IV Sasi, SP Muthuraman, Bhadran, Madhavi, Lakshmi, MG Soman, Swapna, and Visu. Notable films in her repertoire included Tik Tik Tik, Sri Raghavendrar, Iyer the Great, Devasuram, Kalyana Agathigal, Aval Sumangalithan, Inimai Idho Idho, Ilamai Kolam and Enakkaga Kaathiru, which all showcased her charm that once captivated audiences.

However, her life took a tragic turn when she fell in love with a film producer. Her affection, unfortunately, was exploited. Under the pretence of love, he drained her savings before abandoning her. By then, her acting career had also begun to fade, pushing Nisha into financial issues, with no one to help.

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Her hardships did not end there. As the financial crisis worsened, she was reportedly forced into sex work, with rumours even suggesting that her former partner himself played a role in this desperate turn of events in her life. With this, the doors of the cinema world closed before her forever, and no one was willing to collaborate with her anymore. Sooner or later, everyone forgot her, and Nisha faded from the memories of people as well.

Years later, she was spotted sleeping outside a dargah. Unfortunately, she had become unrecognisable due to poor physical health. A Tamil NGO rescued the emaciated woman, and while she was undergoing medical examination in a hospital, they all learned that this was none other than actor Nisha Noor, who had once lit up people’s faces whenever she appeared on screen.

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Police investigations reportedly revealed that she had been living with her mother and after the latter’s death, she was completely alone. Later, according to the Times of India, it was revealed that she was suffering from Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Nisha Noor passed away in 2007 at a hospital.

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