Smita Patil was a renowned film actress and theater artist before her untimely demise. Apart from performing some of the most memorable roles in Hindi parallel cinema, Smita Patil was also popular for her performances in various movies in the Marathi, Punjabi, Telugu, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada and Malayalam film industries too.
Although her career spanned a short decade, Smita Patil appeared in over 80 movies. Thanks to her impressive acting talent, Smita Patil was the winner of several acting awards as well as honored by the Government of India with the country’s 4th-highest civilian award.
Despite meeting an untimely demise in 1986, Smita Patil continues to being regarded as one of the most talented actresses to have entered the Indian film industry, especially the Hindi and Marathi film industries.
About Smita Patil
Bio | |
Real Name | Smita Patil |
Date of Birth | 17th October 1955 |
Age (at the time of demise) | 31 years |
Nationality | Indian |
Religion | Hinduism |
Place of Birth | Shirpur (Maharashtra) |
Education | Graduate from Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune |
Physical Stats | |
Height | 5 ft 10" (180 cm) approximately |
Weight | 145 lbs (66 kg) approximately |
Hair Color | Black |
Eye Color | Dark Brown |
Family & Relationships | |
Father | Shivajirao Girdhar Patil (Politician) |
Mother | Vidyatai Patil (Social Worker) |
Marital Status | Married |
Husband | Raj Babbar (Actor) |
Career | |
Profession | Actress/News Reader/Social Activist |
Famous for | Mere Sath Chal, Samna (1974), Charandas Chor (1975), Manthan (1975), Bhumika (1977), Aakrosh, Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai, The Naxalites (1980), Chakra (1981), Arth, Badle Ki Aag, Bazaar, Namak Halaal, Shakti, Umbartha (1982), Mandi, Ardh Satya, Qayamat (1983), Aaj Ki Aawaz, Raavan, Shapath, Farishta, Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki (1984), Jawaab (1985), Dilwala, Dehleez, Teesra Kinara (1986), Mirch Masala, Thikana, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Ahsaan, Nazrana, Sher Shivaji (1987), Waaris (1988), Galiyon Ke Badshah (1989) |
First Movie | Charandas Chor (1975) |
First Movie | Doing social work |
Smita Patil is still recognized as the undisputed queen of acting in the Hindi parallel cinema industry. Despite having an acting career that lasted just over 11 years, Smita Patil was a star in over 80 movies. Being an extremely talented actress Smita Patil was popular and in-demand in several other Indian film industries too.
Smita Patil was born on 17th of October in 1955, in Shirpur, a small town in Western Maharashtra. Smita Patil’s height was 5 ft 10 inches (180 cm) while Smita Patil’s weight was around 66 kg (145 lbs). Smita Patil passed away at the age of just 31 years, in December of 1986, due to complications during childbirth. Being a strong vocalist for women’s issues, Smita Patil loved to devote her spare time in doing social work, as her hobby.
Smita Patil’s father was a Maharashtra politician, Shivajirao Girdhar Patil, while Smita Patil’s mother was Vidyatai Patil, a renowned social worker. Although she was linked with several of her co-actors, Smita Patil’s husband was popular Bollywood actor, Raj Babbar. Smita Patil and Raj Babbar have a son, actor Prateeik Babbar.
For her immense contribution to the Indian cinema, Smita Patil was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1985.
Smita Patil, being highly-talented, won several awards in her short film career as an actress. Smita Patil won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her impressive performance in ‘Bhumika’ (1977), and also won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Chakra’ (1980).
Apart from these, Smita Patil also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in the Marathi movie ‘Jait Re Jait’ (1978), the Filmfare Award for Best Actress again for another hit Marathi movie, ‘Umbartha’ (1981) as well as winning the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Chakra’ (1982).
Besides winning these prestigious awards, Smita Patil was also nominated for them multiple times. The list of Smita Patil’s award nominations include being nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for ‘Bhumika’ (1978), the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for ‘Bazaar’ (1983) and also being nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Actress for ‘Aaj Ki Aawaz’ (1985).
Apart from these nominations, Smita Patil was also nominated for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘Arth’ (1984) and nominated again for the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in ‘Mandi’ (1984).
Interesting Facts About Smita Patil
- It is unknown whether Smita Patil was a smoker or if she drank alcohol.
- Smita Patil is renowned mostly for her unparalleled performance in the Indian Hindi independent film industry.
- Despite being married, Raj Babbar left his first wife to marry Smita Patil.
- Smita Patil first started work as a news reader for the Doordarshan Mumbai channel, in the 1970s.
- In 2011, Rediff.com named Smita Patil as the second-greatest actress in India, surpassed only by legendary actress, Nargis.
- In May of 2013, the Government of India celebrated 100 years of Indian cinema by issuing a postage stamp of Smita Patil.
- The Smita Patil Global Awards were started to commemorate her immense work in the Indian cinema by the Priyadarshni Academy.