Smita Patil-Biography-Indian Actress

(Born 17th Oct 1955 – Died 13th Dec 1986)

Commemorating the legacy of Smita Patil on the anniversary of her passing: There’s a unique allure surrounding those who depart too soon, which often immortalizes their fame. We’ve seen this phenomenon with icons like Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Meena Kumari, and Madhubala, all of whom left us prematurely—Meena Kumari at 40 and Madhubala at 36. Similarly, Smita Patil, who left us in 1986 at the remarkably young age of 31, remains etched in our memories.

Smita hailed from Pune, born to a minister and a mother dedicated to social work. Her educational journey began in a Marathi medium school. Initially, she entered the limelight as a television newscaster, drawing attention with her dusky beauty and captivating large eyes. A rebel at heart, she’d often chuckle when praised for her elegance in saris during telecasts, having hastily draped them over her jeans just moments before going on air.

Her cinematic journey received a significant boost in the mid-1970s during the flourishing artistic wave in Hindi cinema, largely due to the guidance of mentor Shyam Benegal. Following her roles in Benegal’s films like “Charandas Chor” (1975) and a small part in “Nishant” (1975), Smita seemed to monopolize Benegal’s attention. Her portrayal in “Bhumika” (1977), a fictionalized account of Indian actress Hansa Wadkar’s life, earned her the National Award for Best Actress at a mere 22 years old.

Collaborating with directors like Govind Nihalani in “Aakrosh” (1980) and Satyajit Ray in the television film “Sadgati” (1981), she showcased her versatility. Venturing beyond Hindi cinema, she explored regional films such as “Jait Re Jait” (1978) in Marathi, “Akaler Sandhaney” (1980) in Bengali by Mrinal Sen, and made an acclaimed debut in Gujarati cinema with Ketan Mehta’s “Bhavni Bhavai” (1980).

Smita’s dedication to her roles was evident—be it bathing scenes in “Chakra,” intense sequences in “Aakrosh,” or even unconventional acts like kissing Kulbhushan Kharbanda’s toes in “Arth.” Her collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan in “Namak Halal” (1982) and “Shakti” (1982) brought her newfound recognition. However, some of her choices in films like “Badle Ki Aag,” “Dil-e-Nadaan,” and “Qayamat” did not do justice to her talent, leaving both her and her fans disconcerted.

Her forte lay in realistic cinema, evident in her roles in films like “Mandi” and “Subah,” where she portrayed complex characters with depth. The inevitable comparisons with Shabana Azmi in “Arth” showcased Smita’s knack for standing out, even in supporting roles, as seen in films like “Ardh Satya” (1983), “Aaj Ki Awaaz” (1984), and J P Dutta’s “Ghulami” (1985).

Despite a phase of mostly forgettable films and a much-talked-about marriage with Raj Babbar, Smita’s life was marked by mercurial phases. Her poignant portrayal in “Mirch Masala” was eagerly anticipated, but tragically, childbirth complications led to her untimely demise on December 13, 1986, leaving behind not just her son Prateek but also an illustrious filmography that vividly captures her soul in each performance.

Year	Film	Co-stars
1977	Manthan	Girish Karnad
1977	Bhumika	Amol Palekar
1980	Aakrosh	Om Puri
1981	Chakra	Naseeruddin Shah
1982	Namak Halal	Amitabh Bachchan
1983	Arth	Kulbhushan Kharbanda
1983	Mandi	Aditya Bhattacharya
1983	Subah	Girish Karnad
1985	Aakhir Kyon	Rajesh Khanna
1987	Mirch Masala	Naseeruddin Shah