Google pays tribute to Fearless Nadia, the original Hunterwali

On Monday, Google paid tribute to legendary Indian actress and stuntwoman Fearless Nadia, who is considered a cult icon for her performance as a princess-turned-vigilante in Hunterwali, and an inspiration to both men and women for her daring stunts in early Indian cinema.

Here are 10 things to know about her

1) Fearless Nadia was born Mary Ann Evans in Perth, Western Australia

Google's tribute to Mary Ann Evans aka Fearless Nadia - Screenshot

2) Her father came to India when she was five years old to serve in World War I. At the time, he was posted in Bombay.

3) She moved to Peshawar (now in Pakistan) when she was seven, after her father was killed in war.

4) She returned to Bombay in 1928 where she learned ballet under Madam Astrova, whose troupe would perform for soldiers. Here, Evans learned to master the cartwheel and splits – something that was useful when she did her own stunts

5) She met an American fortune-teller who told her she would attain success if she had a name that started with N. She chose Nadia because it was exotic-sounding

6) In 1930, she toured India as a theatre artiste as part of Zarko Circus. It was here that she was spotted by JBH Wadia, who cast her in a cameo as a slave girl in Desh Deepak. However, her popularity rose and she was subsequently given lead roles

7) Her biggest hit, the cult film Hunterwali, portrays her as a princess-turned-vigilante who battles injustice

8) She married JBH Wadia’s younger brother Homi Wadia

9) In 1993, her great-grandnephew made a documentary called Fearless: The Hunterwali Story

10) She died in 1996