Mary Ann Evans
Acting
Biography
Mary Ann Evans, also known by her stage name Fearless Nadia, was an Indian actress and stuntwoman of Australian origin who is most remembered as the masked, cloaked adventurer in Hunterwali, released in 1935, which was one of the earliest female-lead Indian films. She is often referred to as a sex symbol.
Born: January 8, 1908
Place of Birth: Perth, Australia
Known For
Diamond Queen
Directed by Homi Wadia.
Hunterwali
Preceded by a legend describing its heroine as a 'Brave Indian girl who sacrificed royal luxuries to the cause of her people and her country', the story opens with a prologue showing Krishnavati and her infant son being thrown out of the house in a thunderstorm by the wicked Prime Minister Ranamal who also killed her brother. 20 years later the now adult son, Jaswant, is hit by a royal motor car and given a bag of gold in compensation. His refusal of the gift attracts the admiration of Princess Madhuri. When the nasty Ranamal, who wants to marry her, imprisons her father the king, she becomes the masked Hunterwali, 'protector of the poor and punisher of evildoers', and performer of stunts like jumping over a moving cartand fighting 20 soldiers at once. She steals Jaswant's prize horse, Punjab, but returns it later. Jaswant chances upon a nude Hunterwali bathing in the river and after a long duel captures her and takes her to Ranamal to claim his reward.
Miss Frontier Mail
Savita, aka Miss 1936, is an amateur hunter while her brother Jayant is an amateur film-maker. Their father, Maganlal, arrested for the murder of a station-master, is defended by their uncle Shyamlal, who is in fact the mysterious Signal X. Shyamlal causes a major train smash-up so as to promote his new airline. He then implicates hero Sundar, son of the railway president, in the crime. Savita overcomes the nasty Signal X, whose henchmen are caught on film by Jayant as they sabotage a bridge. Nadia indulges in extensive fist-fights, set to heavy sound effects, and a famous battle alongside Sundar atop a moving train.
Fearless: The Hunterwali Story
A retrospective documentary about the life of Mary Evans Wadia AKA Fearless Nadia.
Muqabala
Two look-alike sisters, one good and one evil, are at odds. The evil sister, a criminal, frames her innocent twin for her misdeeds. The good sister must then expose her criminal sibling to clear her name.
Jungle Ka Jawahar
The story revolves around a doctor living in the jungle with his daughter, surrounded by wild tribal people who are ruled by the jungle queen, Sheena.
Lion of Baghdad
Also known as Lion of Baghdad, this film stars Fearless Nadia, John Cavas and Sayani Atish.
The Jungle Princess
A young girl named Maya is shipwrecked and raised by lions in a jungle. Years later, a search party tries to return her to civilization. Despite interference from cannibal chief Radha Rani, Maya and her loyal lions help the explorers. She also finds love with John.
Khilari
11 O'Clock
Suresh (John Cawas) has been left ₹1,000,000 (equivalent to ₹110 million or US$1.4 million in 2023) by his uncle in his will. The stipulation is that he has to be married and reach the lawyer's office by 11 O'Clock the next morning. The money will otherwise go to his cousin Harish.
Filmography
as self (aka Fearless Nadia)
as Mala (as Fearless Nadia)
as Shanti (as Fearless Nadia)
as Zubeida
as Madhuri/Rani (as Fearless Nadia)
as Maya (as Fearless Nadia)
as Madhurika (as Fearless Nadia)
as Hansa (as Fearless Nadia)
as Savita / Miss 1936 (as Fearless Nadia)
as Partisan Disguided as Dancer (as Fearless Nadia)
as Princess Madhuri aka Hunterwali (as Fearless Nadia)
as Lakshmi