Smitha Patel

Smitha Patel Biography

Smita Patel is one among those asteroids who has come to the world of Indian cinema giving a lot of contributions in a short time, but faded away from universe with many things untold. Of course, Smita Patel was a mystery and will remain so, till the end of Bollywood. She was not glamorous and didn’t own fair complexion or lovely face. Yet through her talent and acting skills, she gave new definitions to parallel cinema. Only one lady who was the true contender to Shabana Azmi, the greatest of all actresses of parallel cinema was none other than Smita patel. Film world has talked a lot and rumoured about the cat fights between Smita and Shabana. Yet the truth is that, the talent of each one has only helped the other to improve herself.

After her graduation in Film institute Pune, she debut Bollywood through Shyam Benegal’s Charandar Chor in 1975. She has worked as a news reader for Doordarshan during 80’s. She was a feminist also. Her career and life spanned for just 1 decade thereafter, but her name is written in golden script in the history of parallel cinema and Bollywood. Her best films include Manthan, Akrosh, Bhumika, Chakra, Chidambaram and Mirch Masala (her last movie). She has worked for commercial movies as well. Akhir Kyon opposite Rajesh Roshan and Rajesh Khanna and Namal Halal, Shakthi opposite Amitabh Bachchan can be included in this list.

Among all heroes, her pairing with Raj Babbar was noted most. They worked in a string of movies – Mirch Masala, Beehgi palkein and many more movies. Her pairing with veteran actors, Girish Karnad and Nasaruddeen shah was also noted. She worked with Nasarudeen Shah for Baazar, Manthan, Chakra, Mandi, Ardh Satya, Akrosh, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyoon Aata Hai and many more. Apart from Hindi movies, she has acted in Marathi movies as well. She got two Filmfare awards for Marathi (Jai re jaath, Umbretha) and one for Hindi- Chakra. She has won national awards twice for her wonderful performance in Bhumika and Chakra. In 1985, she was awarded with Padma Shri.

Smita Patel married her co-star Raj Babbar – a husband and father of two kids. So she faced opposition and criticism from all society around. She died on 1986, Dec 13 when she was just 31 year old due to complications occurred soon after her delivery. That kid is today’s star Prateik Babbar, who has acted in a few critically well acclaimed films.

Published: N/A

Updated: May 09, 2014