Nutan was a highly regarded Indian film actress who worked primarily in Hindi cinema. She was born on June 4, 1936, in Bombay (now Mumbai), India, and passed away on February 21, 1991, in Mumbai.
Nutan was the daughter of film actress Shobhna Samarth and filmmaker Kumarsen Samarth. She made her acting debut in 1950 with the film “Hamari Beti,” but it was her performance in the film “Seema” (1955) that earned her widespread recognition and critical acclaim. Nutan went on to appear in numerous successful films throughout the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, including “Sujata” (1959), “Bandini” (1963), and “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1978).
During her career, Nutan received numerous awards and accolades for her performances, including six Filmfare Awards for Best Actress, which is a record that she still holds today. She was also awarded the Padma Shri, one of India’s highest civilian honors, in 1974.
Nutan was known for her versatility as an actress and her ability to portray a wide range of characters, from traditional Indian women to modern, independent women. Her performances were often characterized by their depth, sensitivity, and emotional intensity.
Today, Nutan is considered one of the greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, and her legacy continues to inspire generations of actors and actresses in the industry.
Career and Family
Nutan came from a family with a strong connection to the Indian film industry. Her mother, Shobhna Samarth, was a prominent actress, and her father, Kumarsen Samarth, was a film director and producer.
Nutan began her career in films as a child artist, appearing in films like “Nal Damayanti” (1945) and “Humari Beti” (1950). She made her debut as a leading actress in the film “Nagina” (1951) but it was the film “Seema” (1955) that established her as a leading actress in Hindi cinema. She went on to act in several successful films like “Sujata” (1959), “Bandini” (1963), “Meri Jung” (1985), and “Kanoon Apna Apna” (1989), among others.
Throughout her career, Nutan was known for her versatility as an actress and her ability to portray a wide range of characters with depth and sensitivity. She won several awards for her performances, including six Filmfare Awards for Best Actress, which is a record that still stands today.
Nutan married Lieutenant-Commander Rajnish Bahl, a naval officer, in 1959, and the couple had a son, Mohnish Bahl, who is also an actor. Nutan continued to act in films after her marriage and remained a popular and respected actress until her death in 1991 at the age of 54.
Honours for her contributions to Indian cinema
Nutan was a highly acclaimed actress in Hindi cinema and received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to Indian cinema. Some of her major awards and accolades are:
Filmfare Awards for Best Actress: Nutan won the prestigious Filmfare Award for Best Actress six times, which is a record that still stands today. She won the award for her performances in the films “Seema” (1956), “Sujata” (1960), “Bandini” (1964), “Milan” (1968), “Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” (1979), and “Meri Jung” (1986).
National Film Award: Nutan won the National Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the film “Bandini” (1963).
Padma Shri: In 1974, Nutan was awarded the Padma Shri, which is one of the highest civilian honors in India, for her contributions to Indian cinema.
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: In 1991, Nutan was posthumously honored with the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contributions to Indian cinema.
In addition to these awards, Nutan was also honored with several other awards and accolades throughout her career, including the BFJA Award for Best Actress, the Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Award for Best Actress, and the Maharashtra State Film Award for Best Actress, among others.
Amazing Facts about most talent Actresses of Indian Cinema
Here are some lesser-known facts about Nutan:
- Nutan was a trained classical singer and had taken classical music lessons from Ustad Ali Akbar Khan.
- She was also an accomplished Kathak dancer and had performed in several stage shows and cultural events.
- Nutan was known for her strong will and independent spirit. She was one of the first actresses in Hindi cinema to negotiate her own contracts and fees, and she was also known for being very particular about the roles she accepted.
- Despite being a popular actress, Nutan was known for being very private and reclusive. She rarely gave interviews or attended film events, and she preferred to spend her time at home with her family.
- Nutan was a voracious reader and had a vast collection of books. She was also a keen observer of people and would often use her observations to bring authenticity to her performances.
- Nutan was a polyglot and was fluent in several languages, including Hindi, Marathi, Gujarati, English, and Bengali.
- Nutan was a philanthropist and was actively involved in several charitable causes. She was especially passionate about helping children and was a patron of several orphanages and schools.
- Nutan was a health enthusiast and was known for her disciplined lifestyle. She was a vegetarian and followed a strict exercise regimen to stay fit and healthy.
What is the reason behind Nutan Death?
Nutan passed away on February 21, 1991, at the age of 54 due to breast cancer. She had been diagnosed with the disease in 1989 and had undergone treatment for it, but unfortunately, it had spread to other parts of her body. Despite her illness, Nutan continued to work in films and gave some of her best performances in her later years. Its been 32 years since Nutan’s death in 1991.