01/98 Interesting facts about actress Smita Patil
Smita Patil was one of the finest actresses that the Bollywood film industry has ever seen. The actress broke stereotypes about fairness being associated with being a top actress and went on to win many hearts with her beauty and talent. Not only was she an extremely talented actress, she was also a very humble person. On her birth anniversary, here are 8 interesting facts about actress Smita Patil.
02/9Smita Patil had a lovely chemistry with the camera
Smita was a leading Indian actress from the 1970s to the 1980s in both Hindi and Marathi cinema. Along with actresses like Shabana Azmi, she was one of the potent quartet representing India’s parallel cinema. In a succession of landmark films like 'Manthan' (1977), 'Bhumika' (1977), 'Aakrosh' (1980) and 'Chakra' (1981) she proved just how talented she was. She was one of the shining stars of India’s parallel cinema.
03/9She was an active feminist
Smita was also an active feminist and a member of the Women’s Centre in Mumbai. She was deeply committed to the advancement of women’s issues and gave her endorsement to films which sought to explore the role of women in traditional Indian society, their sexuality, and the changes facing the middle-class woman in an urban milieu.
04/9She first started working as a TV newscaster
Her first tryst with the camera was as a television newscaster for Doordarshan Pune, the Indian government-controlled television, which was the only channel on the airwaves during those days. Smita was working as a TV newsreader and was also an accomplished photographer when Shyam Benegal discovered her.
05/9She won a National Award
In 1977, she won the National Award for ‘Best Actress’ for her performance in the Hindi film 'Bhumika'. In her films, Smita’s character often represented an intelligent femininity that stood in relief against the conventional background of male-dominated cinema. She played a nonconventional rebellious protagonist in most of the movies. Her presence on screen had a magnetic charm of its own.
06/9She appeared in over 80 films
Smita appeared in over 80 Hindi and Marathi films in a career that spanned just over a decade. Her stellar performances in the films left her audience wanting much more. The roles she chose during her career have had a lasting impact on the people and a lot of the audiences still remember and appreciate her beautiful work.
07/9She donated the money from her National Award
Such a humble soul she was, that she donated the money from her first National award to charity for a noble cause. Smita was very active in campaigning for issues relating to women empowerment.
08/9Raj Babbar left his wife, Nadira Babbar to marry Smita
When Smita became romantically involved with actor Raj Babbar, she drew severe criticism from her fans and the media, clouding her personal life and throwing her into the eye of a media storm. Overnight, Smita was labeled a “home-breaker” by the very Feminist organizations she had worked so assiduously for and became the target of barbed criticism. Feminists could not understand this radical divide between her expressed ideology, and her conduct in her personal life.
09/9Smita died as a result of childbirth complications
Smita tragically passed away barely 6 hours after having given birth to her son, Prateek Babbar, as a result of childbirth complications. About two decades later, Mrinal Sen, one of India's greatest film directors, alleged that she died due to medical negligence.