Shakila Begum, born as Badshah Begum on January 1, 1935, in the Middle East, was an Indian actress. Her ancestors hailed from the royal families of Afghanistan and Iran. After her father’s demise, her aunt raised Shakila and her sisters. She made her debut as a child artist in the film Dastaan (1949) and later gained recognition for her role in Guru Dutt’s Aar-Paar (1954). Despite her talent, she was often cast in B-grade mythological and fantasy films, earning her the nickname “Arbi Chehra” (Arabian Princess) in the film fraternity. Shakila’s career spanned several films, including Hatim Tai (1956), where she portrayed an ethereal fairy
