Nirmal Rishi (born 1943) is an Indian Punjabi film and television actress. She is most remembered for her role as Gulabo Maasi in her first movie Long Da Lishkara (1983). She is best known for appearing in Punjabi movies like Nikka Zaildar, Nikka Zaildar 2 and The Great Sardar. In 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Padma Shri award by the Government of India.
Early life and film career Rishi was born in 1943 in the village Khiva Kalan of Mansa district. Her father was Sarpanch Baldev Krishan Rishi and mother name was Bachni Devi. She was very passionate about theatre right from her school days. She chose to be a physical education instructor and joined Government College Patiala for Physical Education. During her studies at Govt College for Physical education she came into contact with Harpal & Nina Tiwana and joined their theatre group Punjab Kala Manch, she was one of there first students and her compatriot during her time then was Late Shri Om Puri. She has been associated with the Tiwana family since then and has been a part of all the plays. She is the founder trustee of the Harpal Tiwana Foundation.
She acted in more than 60 films, including Long Da Lishkara (1983) Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da (1985), Diva Bale Sari Raat, Suneha, Love Punjab (2015), Death on Wheels, Woman from the East, Nikka Zaildar (2016), Angrej (2015), Lahoriye (2017), and Nikka Zaildar 2 (2017) and a cameo appearance in Hindi-language film Dangal (2016).
Filmography +YearFilmRoleNotes1983Long Da LishkaraGulabo Massi1985Ucha Dar Babe Nanak DaBhaago (Shamsher's sister)1990Sheran De Putt SherBachniQurbani Jatt DiBhua1991Jigra Jatt DaBishan Kaur- Bakhtaawar's motherDiva Bale Sari Raat Jindo1993Ankhila SoormaTejo1995Khel Taqdeeran DeKauri1997MelaParsinn Kaur2007Billian ch Baander Mrs Saroj Bakshi2008Sat Sri Akal2009Akhiyaan UdeekdianDilsher's Mother2010Panjaban -Love Rules HeartsKaran's Mother2013Woman from the East Jeeto SinghSaadi Love Story2014Dilli 1984VampLittle Terrors GrandmotherHindi/English/Urdu FilmOh My Pyo! Binnu's Mother2015Angrej Marho's grandmother2016Lakeeran DarraMother of Darra, Pammi, and KartarLove PunjabPargat's MotherNikka ZaildarDaleep Kaur- Nikka's grandmotherBambukat Resham's motherDangal Cameo AppearanceHindi Film2017LahoriyeTej Parkash Kaur- Kikkar's motherRabb Da Radio Bebe Hardev KaurArjanAmroAsli PunjabThe Great SardaarSarpanch's MotherKRAZZY TABBARSwarn KaurNikka Zaildar 2Deso Kaur- Nikka's BebeBailarasEk Anokhi DulhanSaaviHard Kaur Satwant Kaur2018Subedaar Joginder SinghBibi Krishan KaurLaung LaachiAjaypal's daadiDaana Paani Basant Kaur (old age)Carry On Jatta 2 Lady at Marriage BeaureuKurmaiyan Ambo Jai KaurParahunaBhuaAate Di Chidi AfsarMarriage PalaceRajma Chawal Beeji/BebeHindi FilmBhajj Rohan Ve2019Arjun PatialaArjun's MotherHindi FilmAakhiri WarisVadda KalakaarKaake Da ViyahBebeKala Shah KalaNindro BhuaGuddiyan PatoleNaani Jal Kaur2020Who's Your Daddy??BijiHindi Web Series2021Paani Ch Madhaani2022Saunkan SaunkneNirmal Singh's motherBajre Da Sittaroop's grandmotherNi Main Sass KuttniSher Bagga Shera's GrandmotherShakkar PaareMaa Da LadlaHoneymoon2023Mitran Da Naa ChaldaGodday Godday Chaa 2024Shinda Shinda No PapaNi Main Sass Kutni 2Dada Sass
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