Smita Patil (17 October 1955 – 13 December 1986) was an Indian film and theatre actress. Patil is regarded among the finest and greatest stage and film actresses in the history of Indian cinema. She appeared in over 80 films in several languages, but mostly in Hindi and Marathi, in a career that spanned just over a decade. Patil is a recipient of two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, two Filmfare Awards Marathi and received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour in 1985.
Patil made her film debut with Shyam Benegal's Charandas Chor (1975). She became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, a New Wave movement in India cinema, though she also appeared in several mainstream movies throughout her career. Her performances were highly acclaimed, and her most notable roles include Manthan (1977), Bhumika (1977) for which she won her first National Film Award for Best Actress, Jait Re Jait (1978), Aakrosh (1980), Chakra (1981) which earned her a second National Film Award for Best Actress and her first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actress, Namak Halaal (1982), Bazaar (1982), Umbartha (1982), Shakti (1982), Arth (1982), Ardh Satya (1983), Mandi (1983), Aaj Ki Awaaz (1984), Chidambaram (1985), Mirch Masala (1985), Amrit (1986) and Waaris (1988).
Apart from acting, Patil was 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. She died on 13 December 1986 at the age of 31 due to childbirth complications. Over ten of her films were released after her death.
Films Year Title Role Language Notes Ref. 1974 Raja Shiv Chhatrapati SaibaiHindi-Marathi Bilingual1975 Samna KamleyMarathi Nishant RukmaniHindi Charandas Chor Rajkumari Hindi 1976 Manthan BinduHindi1977 Bhumika Usha/Urvashi DalviHindi Won - National Film Award for Best Actress, Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actress Saal Solvan Chadya PinkyPunjabi Jait Re Jait ChindhiMarathi Won - Filmfare Award for Best Actress Marathi1978 Kondura/ Anugraham ParvatiHindi-Telugu Bilingual Gaman Khairun HussainHindi1980 Sarvasakshi SujathaMarathi The Naxalites AjithaHindi Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai JoanHindi Aakrosh Nagi LahanyaHindi1981 Bhavani Bhavai UjaanGujarati Chakra AmmaHindi Won - National Film Award for Best Actress and Filmfare Award for Best Actress Tajurba PinkiHindi Sadgati JhuriaHindi TV movie Akaler Sandhane HerselfBengali1982 Namak Halaal PoonamHindi Bazaar NajmaHindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best ActressBazaar. p. 25. Badle Ki Aag BijliHindi Dil-E-Nadaan SheelaHindi Shakti Roma DeviHindi Arth Kavita SanyalHindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Umbartha Sulabha MahajanMarathi Won - Filmfare Award for Best Actress Marathi and Maharashtra State Film Awards for Best Actress Sitam MeenakshiHindi Dard Ka Rishta Dr. AnuradhaHindi Bheegi Palkein ShantiHindi Naseeb Ni BalihariGujarati1983 Chatpati ChatpateeHindi Ghungroo KesarbaiHindi Qayamat ShashiHindi Ardh Satya Jyotsna GokhaleHindi Mandi ZeenatHindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Haadsa AshaHindi Anveshane RevatiKannada1984 Farishta KashibaiHindi Sharaabi DancerHindi Guest appearance in song "Jahan Char Yaar Mil Jaye" Hum Do Hamare DoAaratiHindi Aaj Ki Aawaz Rajni DeshmukhHindi Nominated – Filmfare Award for Best Actress Raavan GangaHindi Pet Pyaar Aur PaapHindi Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki AartiHindi Tarang JankiHindi Shapath ShantiHindi Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman LaliHindi Kanoon Meri Mutthi Mein RomaHindi Giddh HanumiHindi Anand Aur Anand KiranHindi1985 Jawab Rajni/Radha/SalmaHindi Ghulami Sumitra SinghHindi Meraa Ghar Mere Bachche Geeta BhargavHindi Aakhir Kyon? NishaHindi Chidambaram ShivakaamiMalayalam1986 Sutradhar PrernaHindi Kaanch Ki Deewar Nisha Hindi Dilwaala Sumitra DeviHindi Aap Ke Saath GangaHindi Mirch Masala SonbaiHindi Won - BFJA Award for Best Actress (Hindi) Amrit Kamla ShrivastavHindi Anokha Rishta Dr. Padma KapoorHindi Dahleez Sukhbir KaurHindi Mere Saath Chal GeetaHindi Angaarey Arti VarmaHindi
Posthumous releases Year Title Role Notes Ref.1987 Insaniyat Ke Dushman Lakshmi Nath Nazrana Mukta Debshishu Seeta Bengali film Dance Dance Radha Raahee Rano / Sandhya Ahsaan Awam Dr. Shabnam Thikana Shashi Goel Aaj Kavita Sher Shivaji1988 Hum Farishte Nahin Roma Waaris Paramjit Voice dubbed by Rekha Akarshan Herself Special appearance 1989 Oonch Neech Beech SumatiDelayed release 1990 Galiyon Ka Badshah TulsiDelayed release
References
External links