# Nirmal Rishi

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 a Punjabi Brahmin family 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 friendly appearance in Bollywood Superhit movie Dangal (2016).
In recent years, she has acted in films such as Ni Main Sass Kuttni,

## Filmography

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1983 | Long Da Lishkara | Gulabo Massi | |
| 1985 | Ucha Dar Babe Nanak Da | Bhaago (Shamsher's sister) | |
| 1990 | Sheran De Putt Sher | Bachni | |
| 1990 | Qurbani Jatt Di | Bhua | |
| 1991 | Jigra Jatt Da | Bishan Kaur- Bakhtaawar's mother | |
| 1991 | Diva Bale Sari Raat | Jindo | |
| 1993 | Ankhila Soorma | Tejo | |
| 1995 | Khel Taqdeeran De | Kauri | |
| 1997 | Mela | Parsinn Kaur | |
| 2007 | Billian ch Baander | Mrs Saroj Bakshi | |
| 2008 | Sat Sri Akal | | |
| 2009 | Akhiyaan Udeekdian | Dilsher's Mother | |
| 2010 | Panjaban -Love Rules Hearts | Karan's Mother | |
| 2013 | Woman from the East | Jeeto Singh | |
| 2013 | Saadi Love Story | | |
| 2014 | Dilli 1984 | Vamp | |
| 2014 | Little Terrors | Grandmother | Hindi/English/Urdu Film |
| 2014 | Oh My Pyo! | Binnu's Mother | |
| 2015 | Angrej | Marho's grandmother | |
| 2016 | Lakeeran | | |
| 2016 | Darra | Mother of Darra, Pammi, and Kartar | |
| 2016 | Love Punjab | Pargat's Mother | |
| 2016 | Nikka Zaildar | Daleep Kaur- Nikka's grandmother | |
| 2016 | Bambukat | Resham's mother | |
| 2016 | Dangal | Cameo Appearance | Hindi Film |
| 2017 | Lahoriye | Tej Parkash Kaur- Kikkar's mother | |
| 2017 | Rabb Da Radio | Bebe Hardev Kaur | |
| 2017 | Arjan | Amro | |
| 2017 | Asli Punjab | | |
| 2017 | The Great Sardaar | Sarpanch's Mother | |
| 2017 | KRAZZY TABBAR | Swarn Kaur | |
| 2017 | Nikka Zaildar 2 | Deso Kaur- Nikka's Bebe | |
| 2017 | Bailaras | | |
| 2017 | Ek Anokhi Dulhan | Saavi | |
| 2017 | Hard Kaur | Satwant Kaur | |
| 2018 | Subedaar Joginder Singh | Bibi Krishan Kaur | |
| 2018 | Laung Laachi | Ajaypal's daadi | |
| 2018 | Daana Paani | Basant Kaur (old age) | |
| 2018 | Carry On Jatta 2 | Lady at Marriage Beaureu | |
| 2018 | Kurmaiyan | Ambo Jai Kaur | |
| 2018 | Parahuna | Bhua | |
| 2018 | Aate Di Chidi | | |
| 2018 | Afsar | | |
| 2018 | Marriage Palace | | |
| 2018 | Rajma Chawal | Beeji/Bebe | Hindi Film |
| 2018 | Bhajj Rohan Ve | | |
| 2019 | Arjun Patiala | Arjun's Mother | Hindi Film |
| 2019 | Aakhiri Waris | | |
| 2019 | Vadda Kalakaar | | |
| 2019 | Kaake Da Viyah | Bebe | |
| 2019 | Kala Shah Kala | Nindro Bhua | |
| 2019 | Guddiyan Patole | Naani Jal Kaur | |
| 2020 | Who's Your Daddy?? | Biji | Hindi Web Series |
| 2021 | Paani Ch Madhaani | | |
| 2022 | Saunkan Saunkne | Nirmal Singh's mother | |
| 2022 | Bajre Da Sitta | roop's grandmother | |
| 2022 | Ni Main Sass Kutni | | |
| 2022 | Sher Bagga | Shera's Grandmother | |
| 2022 | Shakkar Paare | | |
| 2022 | Maa Da Ladla | | |
| 2022 | Honeymoon | | |
| 2023 | Mitran Da Naa Chalda | | |
| 2023 | Godday Godday Chaa | | |
| 2024 | Shinda Shinda No Papa | | |
| 2024 | Ni Main Sass Kutni 2 | Dada Sass | |