Daring To Be 'Fearless Nadia'

Mary Ann Evans, a woman of Australian origin, comes to India in her young age with her father's posting.

Known by her stage name: Fearless Nadia, she grows up learning dance, horse riding and circus skills. 

This woman working in circus gets picked by Wadia Brothers for a film called, 'Hunterwali'. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

It is evident, that she was no ordinary woman. Being able to command Tigers in a show full of audience, establishes her audacity, her grip and even her showmanship.

Nadia instructing the tiger in a scene from the film, 'Circus Queen'.

Including videos from our partner's Youtube

At a time when projection of woman's body gave cinema an immoral connotation in India, Nadia was dominating screen not just among the women but she was also leading among the men. 

Consequently, her films were reported as a box office success.

In this scene, from the film 'Tigress', Nadia is rescuing the poor peasants from the assaults of the greed ridden oligarchs. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

Cinema as a tool brought engagement and excitement to people by providing a medium to look at the daring action stunts, something which most of the viewers would not live in their own lives.
  
At the top of it, it was of course a lot more stimulating and exciting to see a woman doing these stunts.

Nadia's balancing act from the film, 'Circus Queen'. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

It is interesting to note that even though Indian society at that time didn't approve of a 'virile-woman' but a woman like Nadia was well appreciated on the screen.

Nadia in a hard-fight against her enemies in the film, 'Baghdad ka Jadoo'. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

Since these are early action films in the cinema history, they may well have been a pre-cursor to iconic action sequences that came later in Indian cinema.

A dangerous stunt from the film, 'Khilari', at a time when action scenes were not so prevalent. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

She was not merely donning daring action sequences in her films, but she was also voicing the concerns of a poverty ridden society in her fights.

Nadia revealing that to help the poor from cruel oppressors she took the guise of the savior Tigress. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

Like famous superheroes, Nadia was not only an ace fighter but she was also a figure bearing the torch of justice and righteousness.

In this scene, Nadia as a sensitive teacher is inspiring her students to bear allegiance to their soil as it germinates and sustains life. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel

Hence, it was not just hair-raising stunts that brought Nadia the unprecedented fame, but it was her on-screen tryst to deliver a fight for justice, fairness and sensitivity that turned her into a unique film-icon, who became a precursor to action Heroes in India.

In this scene from the film, Baghdad Ka Jadoo, the disguising spy is revealed to be a woman, played by Fearless Nadia. 

Including videos from our partner's Youtube channel