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.[11][12]
Patil was married to actorRaj Babbar, with whom she had a son, actorPrateik Babbar. 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.[13]
Smita Patil was born on 17 October 1955,[14] inPune,Maharashtra[15][16] into a Hindu-Marathi family, to a Maharashtrian politician father,Shivajirao Girdhar Patil and social worker mother Vidyatai Patil, fromShirpur town ofKhandesh province of Maharashtra.[17][18] She has two sisters, Dr. Anita Patil Deshmukh, a faculty neonatologist and Manya Patil Seth, a costume designer.[19]
Patil began her career in the early 1970s as a television newsreader[24][25] on the newly transmitting MumbaiDoordarshan, the Indian government run broadcaster. Her first film role was in the FTII student filmTeevra Madhyam[26] by Arun Khopkar.[21]Shyam Benegal then discovered her[16] and cast her in his 1974 children's film,Charandas Chor.[27] Patil's first major role was in his other film,Manthan, in which she played aHarijan woman who leads the revolt of the milk co-operative.[21][28][29]
Patil was a part of the radically political cinema of the 1970s, which included actresses such asShabana Azmi andDeepti Naval.[39] Her work includes films with parallel cinema directors likeShyam Benegal,[8]Govind Nihalani,Satyajit Ray (Sadgati, 1981),[40]G. Aravindan (Chidambaram, 1985) andMrinal Sen as well as forays into the more commercialHindi film industry cinema ofMumbai.[18] In her films, Patil's character often represents an intelligent femininity that stands in relief against the conventional background of male-dominated cinema. Patil was a women's rights activist and became famous for her roles in films that portrayed women as capable and empowered.[41][42][43]
Patil received widespread critical acclaim for her performances inChakra (1981),[44] which earned her a second National Film Award for Best Actress and her first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[45] As a part of her preparation for the role of a slum-dweller, Patil used to visit the slums in Bombay during the making ofChakra.[46][47]
Patil went onto star inBazaar (1982)[48] andAaj Ki Awaaz (1984), which earned her two nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.[49] ForMandi (1983), she earned her a nomination for theFilmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[50] Patil's performance in the marital dramaArth (1982) was highly appreciated.[51] For her portrayal as "the other woman" while acting opposite Shabana Azmi, she earned a second nomination for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.[39][52] During this time, she also starred in several notableMarathi filmUmbartha (1982), winning her second Filmfare Award for Best Actress – Marathi for her performance in the films.[53][54][55]
Patil gradually moved to more commercial cinema.[56] In an interview, she stated:
"I remained committed to small cinema for about five years ... I refused all commercial offers. Around 1977–78, the small cinema movement started picking up and they needed names. I was unceremoniously dropped from a couple of projects. This was a very subtle thing but it affected me a lot. I told myself that here I am and I have not bothered to make money. I have turned down big, commercial offers because of my commitment to small cinema and what have I got in return? If they want names I'll make a name for myself. So I started and took whatever came my way."[57]
In time, commercial filmmakers likeRaj Khosla,Ramesh Sippy andB.R. Chopra offered her roles, agreeing that she was "excellent".[58] Her fans, too, grew with her new-found stardom.[59] Patil's glamorous roles in her more commercial films, such asShakti (1982) andNamak Halaal (1982) withAmitabh Bachchan.[60] She showed that one can act in both, "serious" cinema and the "Hindi cinema" masala in the Hindi film industry.[61][62] However, her sister Manya Patil Seth stated, "Smita was never comfortable in big-budget movies.[63] She wept her heart out after performing the rain dance with MrBachchan inNamak Halaal; she felt she wasn't doing the right thing."[64][59] In 1984, she served as a jury member of theMontreal World Film Festival.[65] Patil acted withRaj Babbar in films such asBheegi Palkein,Tajurba,Aaj Ki Awaaz,Awam andHum Do Hamare Do and later fell in love with him.[11][66]
DirectorC. V. Sridhar was the first one to pair her oppositeRajesh Khanna inDil-E-Nadan in 1982.[67][68] After the success of this film, Patil and Khanna were paired in successful films likeAakhir Kyon?,Anokha Rishta,Angaarey,Nazrana,Amrit.[69][70] With the release ofAakhir Kyon? her popularity and her pairing with Khanna were at its peak.[71] The songs "Dushman Na Kare Dost Ne Woh" and "Ek Andhera Lakh Sitare" fromAakhir Kyon? were chartbusters. Each of these films were different and dealt with various social issues. Their performances were critically acclaimed.[72] In 1986,Amrit directed byMohan Kumar became the fifth highest-grossing film of the year.Nazrana, co-starringSridevi released posthumously and became a box office success and was among the top 10 films of 1987.[73][74][75]
"Patil was a great actress. Many of her great performances are laser-like in focus on a few things. So Arth for instance was about vulnerability and desire. Jait Re Jait was about resilience and belief. Mirch Masala covers the entire oeuvre of her acting chops. From the low key of the early frames to the full blast upper registers in the closing stages of the film: The transformation is awesome."
Patil's association with artistic cinema remained strong, however.[11][77] Her arguably greatest (and unfortunately final) role came when Patil re-teamed withKetan Mehta to play the feisty and fiery Sonbai inMirch Masala, which released after her death in 1987.[78][79] Patil's performance as a spirited spice-factory worker who stands up against a lecherous petty official in this film was highly praised, and won her theBengal Film Journalists' Association Award for Best Actress (Hindi).[62] On the centenary of Indian cinema in April 2013,Forbes included her performance in the film on its list, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema".[76]The Washington Post called her work "an enigmatically feisty final performance".[80][81][82][83]
Patil was an active feminist and was member of the Women's Centre in Mumbai. She attempted to portray women's issues through her different films. She was also involved in charity work, donating the winnings of her first National Award to charity.[11][12][93]
When Patil became romantically involved with actorRaj Babbar,[94] she drew severe criticism from her fans and the media, clouding her personal life and throwing her into the eye of a media storm. Raj Babbar left his wifeNadira Babbar to marry Patil.[95][96] Babbar and Patil first met on the sets of the 1982 filmBheegi Palkein.[39] Their son, actorPrateik Babbar was born on 28 November 1986.[97][98]
Patil died from childbirth complications (Puerperal sepsis) on 13 December 1986,[40] age 31.[99] Nearly two decades later, notable film directorMrinal Sen alleged that Patil had died due to "gross medical negligence".[100][101] After Patil's death,her son was raised by her parents inMumbai.[102] According to the media, she died an idol, a cult figure reaching beyond her grave. On her death, poetKaifi Azmi said in his inaugural speech at a charity function, "Smita Patil is not dead. Her son is still amongst us."[103][104]
Patil is regarded as one of the greatest and most accomplished actresses ofIndian cinema.[2]Rediff.com placed her as the second-greatest Indian actress of all time, behindNargis.[105] In 2022, she was placed inOutlook India's 75 Best Bollywood Actresses list.[106] Patil was placed 5th inRediff.com's "Best Bollywood Debut Ever" list, for her filmsCharandas Chor andManthan.[107] Patil was known for her beauty and fashion throughout the 70s and 80s. In the media, she is cited a style icon with various publications likeHindustan Times, including her among the topmost sex symbols of Bollywood.[108][109]Yahoo! placed Patil 5th in its "Ten most iconic beauties of Hindi cinema" list,[110] andTimes of India's placed her in its "50 Beautiful Faces" list.[111] In 2023,Rajeev Masand named Patil as one of Hindi cinema's best actresses of all time.[112][113]
Patil is highly regarded for her range as an actor, her beauty, and her style. Suresh Kohli ofDeccan Herald noted, "Smita Patil was, perhaps, the most accomplished actress of Hindi cinema. Her oeuvre is outstanding, investing almost every portrayal with a powerhouse realistic performance."[114] Several actresses have been inspired by Patil's work. ActressDeepika Padukone said, "Smita Patil is someone whose work I admire a lot."Bhumi Pednekar credited the actress for "ushering in the change for heroines on screen", by her progressive portrayals.[115][116]Katrina Kaif said, "Smita Patil's roles were an inspiration and touched the lives of millions of women. She showed us that not even sky is the limit"[117]Somy Ali said that Patil inspired her to become an actress, she also termed Patil, her "favourite".[118]Rekha termed Patil a "far better actor" than her or anybody else.[119]
Talking about Patil, her co-actorOm Puri stated: "Smita had an understanding of love, a lot of sincerity and warmth came through in her performances. She was a Bohemian. She was not class conscious, rather was very bubbly, full of life. Never saw her low or depressed about anything. Very liberated and progressive in her thoughts and work."[120]Andrew Robinson wrote in his bookSatyajit Ray: The Inner Eye, that Ray once said, "There is no one who can replace Smita Patil".[121] Aruna Vasudev termed Patil as one of the "most intense" actress, Indian cinema ever had.[122] Sumita S. Chakravarty noted that, "In the 1960-1970, "new cinema" emerged and Patil became one of the foremost actress of the prosixties.[123] FilmmakerMahesh Bhatt added, "There was something very special about her from the start. When I decided to makeArth, I wanted to make it with two powerful actresses as the wife and the other woman. Looking back, I'm proud to say that Smita Patil [with Shabana Azmi] madeArth what it was."[124] ActorNawazuddin Siddiqui praised Patil's beauty and said, "Smita Patil would appear as a typical Indian girl. But as soon as she faced the camera, no one looked more beautiful. If she were here today, she would have been a favourite for international filmmakers. The West was drawn to her."[125]
Patil is known among the greatest actresses of Indian cinema.[126][127] On Patil's successful film career, Rachit Gupta ofFilmfare noted, "Her dusky, unconventional looks, choice of roles, active socio-political career worked to her advantage. Smita Patil made an enviable movie career."[128] Mamun M. Adil ofPakistan's newspaperDawn noted, "Patil was in her early 20s when she delivered towering turns which, speak volumes for the talent that simmered behind her mesmerising eyes."[129] Santanu Das ofHindustan Times added, "Rarely has an actor arrived in Indian Cinema quite like Patil; so full-bodied in her approach to the art of performance."[130] FilmmakerShyam Benegal praised the actress and said, "Smita Patil was a chameleon. She could be a part of the story without your thinking about it. She was instinctive. The camera loved her. The camera looked at her, it picked her out of everyone else. That was the thing about her."[131]News18 India named her as an actress "remembered for her work and influence" and noted, "Smita Patil was famous for her serious roles, expressive eyes, and impeccable acting."[132][133]
Patil is considered among the finest actresses. She established herself as one of the most prominent actress of arthouse andparallel cinema,[134] and was widely known as the "Queen of parallel cinema and new wave movement". Patil was also known for her work in the mainstream films.[3] Writing forScroll.in, film criticMaithili Rao stated, "Art or mainstream, Smita was a magnet to film-makers hopelessly in love with her screen presence and the wonderful woman behind the image."[135] Gargi Nandwana fromThe Indian Express stated, "Smita Patil's films fearlessly traversed uncharted terrain — an absolute anathema for a Bollywood actress of that time poised for an illustrious career — navigating the intricate nuances, complexities, strengths, and vulnerabilities intrinsic to the female experience."[136]
Patil was known for her path-breaking roles and she changed the portrayal of women onscreen with her morally complex characters.[137][4] Patil received critical acclaim for her portrayal of a feisty village girl inManthan, an actress inBhumika, a rape victim inAakrosh, a slum-dweller inChakra, a woman involved with a married man inArth, a prostitute and classical singer inMandi, a divorcee inAakhir Kyon? and a strong woman against oppressors inMirch Masala.[138]Forbes included her performance inMirch Masala in its, "25 Greatest Acting Performances of Indian Cinema" list.[76]Filmfare included Patil's performances inBhumika andMirch Masala in its list of "80 Iconic Performances" of Bollywood, placed 24th and 8th respectively. ForBhumika, it noted, "Smita's role is memorable not only because of her keen understanding of an actor and a woman's mindset but also because she flawlessly became Hansa during the film-within-the-film portions and her act giving the bygone era glimpse."[139]NDTV added her character, Usha, fromBhumika in its "Trailblazing Women of Bollywood" list.[140]
On not working in commercial cinema, Patil said, "I hope I don't get pushed into doing commercial films because, truly, that will be the end of Smita Patil."[3] Shaikh Ayaz ofThe Indian Express noted, "In this repertory of talent that dominated the Hindi art cinema landscape, Patil was but a comet. Her films made space for feminist interventions, serving as a template for every succeeding generation of actors."[141] Praising Patil's screen presence and work, S. Shivakumar ofThe Hindu termed her a "rare and refreshing exception in cinema" and said, "The lines between parallel and mainstream cinema may have blurred but her performances in both are priceless."[142] Raja Sen fromRediff.com noted, "The more striking side of the coin was Smita Patil, who had a compellingly intelligent presence that stood for both empowerment and sensitivity."[105] Ali Peter John fromBollywood Hungama noted, "Smita Patil was a complete and consummate actress, whose ability to face the most difficult challenges and triumph over them has become a part of the art of great acting. She was the life of art, parallel or new wave cinema."[143]
"I describe her as an illusion. She was not intelligent or intellectual but sensitive. Intense. And there were people all over the world who cared for her. From John Warrington to a Polish actor, a Swedish director, they were all in love with her."[154]
—Mohan Agashe on Smita Patil (Smita Patil, A Brief Incandescence)
The Priyadarshni Academy started theSmita Patil Memorial Award for Best Actress, as a tribute to the veteran actress in 1986. It is awarded every other year to an actress for her contribution to Indian cinema.[155] In 2012, the Smita Patil International Film Festival Documentaries and Shorts was initiated in her honour.[156][157][158][159][160] In 2015, film critic Maithili Rao published Patil's biography "Smita Patil: A Brief Incandescence". In the same year,National Centre for the Performing Arts andNational Film Archive of India organised a retrospective on the actress named, "Smita - A minor retrospective of a major actress".[161][162] In 1989,Meera Dewan, made a documentary on her, named "Searching for Smita".[120] Odissi dancer Jhelum Paranjape named her dance institute "Smitalaya" (launched in 1989), in fond memory of Patil. Smita Patil Street Theatre, has been named in the late actress honor.[163]
On the occasion of 100 years of the Indian cinema, a postage stamp bearing her face was released byIndia Post to honour her on 3 May 2013.[164] Patil's father, Shivajirao Giridhar Patil started the Smita Patil Charitable Trust in 1996, in her memory. It was started with a mission to provide co-education to the students of the rural areas. The same year, a school named, Smita Patil Public School was started inDhule, Maharashtra.[165] In 2010, theIndo-American Arts Council, organised an 11-film retrospective of the late actress’ films inNew York.[166] ThePolish Film Institute and the Indian embassy inWarsaw organised "Smita Patil Retrospect", inPoland in her memory. Thus, she became the first Indian actress to be honored with a retrospective abroad.[167] In 2023, her son Prateik Babbar changed his name to Prateik Patil Babbar, as a heartfelt homage to his late mother. He said, "When my name appears in film credits or anywhere, I want it to be a reminder to myself, the people and the audience, of her extraordinary and remarkable legacy, of my legacy, a reminder of her brilliance and greatness."[168][169]
^"Satish Kaushik revisits Chakra".The Indian Express (Interview). First of Many. Interviewed by Mimansa Shekhar. 10 July 2019. Archived fromthe original on 31 October 2022. Retrieved11 April 2023.
