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Nafisa Ali Sodhi was born on 18th January 1957 (a Capricorn) to renowned photographer Ahmed Ali, who now lives in Kolkata. She is granddaughter of S Wajid Ali a noted Bengali writer and eminent lawyer. Her mother Philomena, is now living in Australia. Since childhood Nafisa has been brought up in an environment that taught her that all religions are interwoven and share the same space under the sun. She completed her school from La Martiners Girls Calcutta and was a great athlete in her youth. She was School Champion in Athletics as well as the Interschool Athletics Champions in 1973-1974. She was Bengal’s swimming sensation, shattering 14 year and 17 year old records. Nafisa was nicknamed ‘Sizzling Water Baby’ and went on to become the National Swimming Champion of India in 1974.

She made a stunning entry into the fashion arena of India by winning the “Miss India 1976” and later was adjudged as Miss Internationals Runner-up in 1977 in Tokyo. Later she also made a distinct entry into Indian films. The first was “JUNOON” by Shyam Benegal in which she starred opposite Shashi Kapoor. The film won the National Awards for the ‘Best Film’.

She got married to Col R.S Sodhi (Pickles) and chose to be a wife and take care of her three lovely children. After a break of 18 years she returned to the film industry with her memorable performances in “MAJOR SAHAB” opposite Amitabh Bachhan, “LIFE IN A METRO” with Dharmender and Malayalam film “BIG B” with south super star Mammootty.

She is an eminent social worker, with her crusade on HIV/AIDS being world recognized. She works very activity in the fields of HIV/AIDS preventions, awareness and care. She started a Care Home-Ashraya for the people infected and affected with HIV/AIDS and cares for the TB-(Tuberculoses) infected patients through the Government sponsored DOTS programme. She is an activist recognised for her beliefs of the religious harmony and unity.

She contested the 14th Loksabha election 2004 as a CONGRESS candidate from 23 South Kolkatta Parliamentary Constituency against Mamta Banerjee. “I am proud of having been a part of India history, which ensured that a secular’s Government came to power” she adds.

She also was the official Government delegate for India at the 49th UN Summit on ‘The Status of Women’ held in New York in March 2005. She was on board of members of the ‘Film and Television Institutes’ of India and was appointed as the Chairpersons’ of ‘Children Films Society,  India’ for a periods of three years by the Government of India.

She is newly appointed as the Co-Chairperson of the ‘Hospitality Sub Committee’ of Commonwealth Games - by the Organizing Committee Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010.

She is a very dedicated and hardworking social activist, with extensive experience in the area of health, women and child rights poverty and social development. She has previously worked in tandem with many NGOs nationally reaching out to the masses and making a significant difference in the lives of the people.

Nafisa Ali’s motto is “Country First” and she is a celebrated Indian... but she is a little girl at heart.