Bollywood Masala Mix
Smita Patil: an icon mirroring the trials of countless women
A radiant smile, intense eyes, sensuous looks and a daring attitude, actress Smita Patil was undoubtedly a bundle of talent. Filmmakers who got an opportunity to work with her claim that no actress can match her talents in acting. Actor Raj Babbar’s wife and Prateik’s mother, Smita passed away at the age of 31 on December 13, 1986.
Just two weeks after giving birth to her first child, Smita died because of childbirth complications. Even after 30 years of her demise, Smita is still remembered for her matchless contribution to Indian Cinema.
Popular for her films like Bhumika, Chakra, Arth, Mirch Masala, Namak Halaal and many others, Smita was born in Pune. Her father was a politician and a social worker. Smita imbibed these qualities of her father. She made a place for herself in the male-dominated showbiz only on the basis of her talent. An extremely down to earth person and a dedicated professional, Smita’s onscreen avatars reflected her true self on silver screen.
While she was still studying, Smita got an offer from Manoj Kumar for Roti Kapda Aur Makan. Dev Anand also wanted to cast her in Hare Rama Hare Krishna. However, Smita’s family wanted her to finish studies first. With a pass from Film and Television Institute of India, Smita Patil began her career as a newsreader on Doordarshan. Thanks to her striking looks, Smita soon grabbed eyeballs. Smita made her big screen debut with Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor in 1975. Smita belonged to the era which is strongly associated with the radically political cinema of the 1970s. In just a decade, Smita worked in more than 75 Hindi and Marathi films. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for Bhumika and Chakra. Smita was also honored with a Padma Shri in 1985.
Smita Patil belonged to the golden generation of trained actors who were a part of the birth of India’s parallel cinema movement. Like the other great actress of her generation – Shabana Azmi – Patil, too, went beyond the new wave when she forayed into the world of popular cinema but unlike Azmi she took a while in committing to commercial cinema. Azmi struck a fine balance between the two worlds, but Patil initially was far more dedicated to smaller cinema. After being committed to the parallel cinema for many years, Smita started accepting mainstream roles as well. She worked with filmmakers like Raj Khosla, Ramesh Sippy and BR Chopra. However, her forte always remained the art house cinema.
Smita was also a member of the Women’s Centre in Mumbai and was an active feminist. She gave importance to films which highlighted the plight of women in India and reflected their role in changing the face of society. Smita was also involved in a lot of charity work. She donated her first National award prize money for a noble cause! Who could even think of that ?
Like every other girl Smita was also looking for an ideal relationship. Her quest for love created a lot of troubles for her. Smita fell in love with actor Raj Babbar, who was already married to Nadira Zaheer.
Smita and Raj worked in many films together, Tajurba, Bheegi Palken, Awam, Aaj Ki Awaz, Hum Do Hamare Do and others. Thee media soon termed Smita as a home breaker. Constant criticism from the media and close ones hurt Smita a lot. Reports claim that Smita’s family was also against her marriage to Raj, but Smita always believed that things will get better with time. Against all odds, Smita got married to Raj.
Smita realized the fate of her relationship very soon. The cheerful, spontaneous Smita at work was very lonely at heart. Smita had plans of walking out of the relationship with her child, but destiny had something else in store for her. She really wanted to enjoy her motherhood, but just two weeks after delivering a baby boy, she passed away. Raj patched up with his former wife after Smita’s death.
It is said that a dear friend once read her palm and predicted that Smita Patil would die early and she was not surprised. ‘I don’t mind, but as long as I live, I want to lead a healthy and wholesome life. A life I believe in. In fact I’ll be happy if I can cross my thirties,’ Smita had once said in an interview.
Perhaps she had a premonition and this reflected in the way she raced through life. In just a decade, Smita graduated from a TV announcer to become an actress to reckon with. The youngest star honored with a Padmashri, she was the first Indian actress to be honored with a retrospective abroad. When that happened her detractors said, ‘Isn’t she too young for such a big honour? After all, her career spanned only a decade. There is still plenty of time. What’s the hurry?’ The city was shocked. After Guru Dutt’s demise, some two decades prior, this was possibly another untimely tragedy to have hit the film industry.
There was, for somebody up there knew that there was very little time. And in that time, God wanted Smita to live life fully and passionately. The way Smita wanted to.
There are two types of rebels. One variety makes a huge ruckus about the manner in which they change the order of things, while the other kind is the silent ones whose actions end up making the loudest of sounds. Smita Patil belonged to the latter and in her roles millions of women found an icon mirroring their own trials, joys and struggles and a search for an identity.
Just two weeks after giving birth to her first child, Smita died because of childbirth complications. Even after 30 years of her demise, Smita is still remembered for her matchless contribution to Indian Cinema.
Popular for her films like Bhumika, Chakra, Arth, Mirch Masala, Namak Halaal and many others, Smita was born in Pune. Her father was a politician and a social worker. Smita imbibed these qualities of her father. She made a place for herself in the male-dominated showbiz only on the basis of her talent. An extremely down to earth person and a dedicated professional, Smita’s onscreen avatars reflected her true self on silver screen.
While she was still studying, Smita got an offer from Manoj Kumar for Roti Kapda Aur Makan. Dev Anand also wanted to cast her in Hare Rama Hare Krishna. However, Smita’s family wanted her to finish studies first. With a pass from Film and Television Institute of India, Smita Patil began her career as a newsreader on Doordarshan. Thanks to her striking looks, Smita soon grabbed eyeballs. Smita made her big screen debut with Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor in 1975. Smita belonged to the era which is strongly associated with the radically political cinema of the 1970s. In just a decade, Smita worked in more than 75 Hindi and Marathi films. She won the National Film Award for Best Actress twice, for Bhumika and Chakra. Smita was also honored with a Padma Shri in 1985.
Smita Patil belonged to the golden generation of trained actors who were a part of the birth of India’s parallel cinema movement. Like the other great actress of her generation – Shabana Azmi – Patil, too, went beyond the new wave when she forayed into the world of popular cinema but unlike Azmi she took a while in committing to commercial cinema. Azmi struck a fine balance between the two worlds, but Patil initially was far more dedicated to smaller cinema. After being committed to the parallel cinema for many years, Smita started accepting mainstream roles as well. She worked with filmmakers like Raj Khosla, Ramesh Sippy and BR Chopra. However, her forte always remained the art house cinema.
Smita was also a member of the Women’s Centre in Mumbai and was an active feminist. She gave importance to films which highlighted the plight of women in India and reflected their role in changing the face of society. Smita was also involved in a lot of charity work. She donated her first National award prize money for a noble cause! Who could even think of that ?
Like every other girl Smita was also looking for an ideal relationship. Her quest for love created a lot of troubles for her. Smita fell in love with actor Raj Babbar, who was already married to Nadira Zaheer.
Smita and Raj worked in many films together, Tajurba, Bheegi Palken, Awam, Aaj Ki Awaz, Hum Do Hamare Do and others. Thee media soon termed Smita as a home breaker. Constant criticism from the media and close ones hurt Smita a lot. Reports claim that Smita’s family was also against her marriage to Raj, but Smita always believed that things will get better with time. Against all odds, Smita got married to Raj.
Smita realized the fate of her relationship very soon. The cheerful, spontaneous Smita at work was very lonely at heart. Smita had plans of walking out of the relationship with her child, but destiny had something else in store for her. She really wanted to enjoy her motherhood, but just two weeks after delivering a baby boy, she passed away. Raj patched up with his former wife after Smita’s death.
It is said that a dear friend once read her palm and predicted that Smita Patil would die early and she was not surprised. ‘I don’t mind, but as long as I live, I want to lead a healthy and wholesome life. A life I believe in. In fact I’ll be happy if I can cross my thirties,’ Smita had once said in an interview.
Perhaps she had a premonition and this reflected in the way she raced through life. In just a decade, Smita graduated from a TV announcer to become an actress to reckon with. The youngest star honored with a Padmashri, she was the first Indian actress to be honored with a retrospective abroad. When that happened her detractors said, ‘Isn’t she too young for such a big honour? After all, her career spanned only a decade. There is still plenty of time. What’s the hurry?’ The city was shocked. After Guru Dutt’s demise, some two decades prior, this was possibly another untimely tragedy to have hit the film industry.
There was, for somebody up there knew that there was very little time. And in that time, God wanted Smita to live life fully and passionately. The way Smita wanted to.
There are two types of rebels. One variety makes a huge ruckus about the manner in which they change the order of things, while the other kind is the silent ones whose actions end up making the loudest of sounds. Smita Patil belonged to the latter and in her roles millions of women found an icon mirroring their own trials, joys and struggles and a search for an identity.
Priyanka Chopra won't be spilling the beans on friend Meghan Markle’s royal romance with Prince Harry. On Monday (Dec. 12), the Quantico actress chatted about her friend and her own love of London. "I’m a friend," Priyanka told E! News after being asked if she supports the much-talked-about union at UNICEF's 70th anniversary celebration. "And I'm going to be a good friend to whatever my friends' needs, not just her."
As for whether she’d be excited for a possible royal wedding? The Indian beauty answered, “I love London,” adding, ”I would go anytime…I mean the Queen just has to invite me if that's what you're asking!"
Priyanka was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at the Dec. 12 anniversary event held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The 34-year-old turned heads donning a navy hammered satin dress with pearl button details by Prabal Gurung for the occasion, which David Beckham and Orlando Bloom also attended.
Two weeks prior to the UNICEF celebration, Priyanka and Meghan enjoyed a girls’ night out in Los Angeles. At the time, the Baywatch actress shared a photo of herself and Harry’s American girlfriend writing, "Girls just wanna have fun.. @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey #LAlife."
Priyanka was able to catch up with Meghan over Thanksgiving in L.A.
Meghan has since left Los Angeles and was spotted across the pond on last week Monday evening Christmas tree shopping with her royal beau at London's Pines and Needles. "Prince Harry was with Meghan and hilariously the staff only recognized Meghan at first – they were so excited to have the girl from Suits there," a rep for the shop tells Hello!. "It wasn't particularly cold but they were gloved and hatted out. They arrived in a car and picked up a tree – they were there for about 15 minutes browsing and then having a look, then they selected their tree and Harry carried it on his shoulder once it was netted up, back to the car."
The spokesperson added, "They were completely charming together and blissfully unaware that our jaws had hit the floor. They chose a gorgeous Nordmann Fir and walked away after exchanging Christmas pleasantries."
As for whether she’d be excited for a possible royal wedding? The Indian beauty answered, “I love London,” adding, ”I would go anytime…I mean the Queen just has to invite me if that's what you're asking!"
Priyanka was appointed as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador at the Dec. 12 anniversary event held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. The 34-year-old turned heads donning a navy hammered satin dress with pearl button details by Prabal Gurung for the occasion, which David Beckham and Orlando Bloom also attended.
Two weeks prior to the UNICEF celebration, Priyanka and Meghan enjoyed a girls’ night out in Los Angeles. At the time, the Baywatch actress shared a photo of herself and Harry’s American girlfriend writing, "Girls just wanna have fun.. @meghanmarkle @mubinarattonsey #LAlife."
Priyanka was able to catch up with Meghan over Thanksgiving in L.A.
Meghan has since left Los Angeles and was spotted across the pond on last week Monday evening Christmas tree shopping with her royal beau at London's Pines and Needles. "Prince Harry was with Meghan and hilariously the staff only recognized Meghan at first – they were so excited to have the girl from Suits there," a rep for the shop tells Hello!. "It wasn't particularly cold but they were gloved and hatted out. They arrived in a car and picked up a tree – they were there for about 15 minutes browsing and then having a look, then they selected their tree and Harry carried it on his shoulder once it was netted up, back to the car."
The spokesperson added, "They were completely charming together and blissfully unaware that our jaws had hit the floor. They chose a gorgeous Nordmann Fir and walked away after exchanging Christmas pleasantries."
Sonakshi Sinha, daughter of actor and politician Shatrughan Sinha, says that every star child craves for some normalcy in their lives away from chaos.
"Star child or celebrity kids craves for some kind of normalcy in their lives as they are always surrounded by so much chaos. I think it is very important for the parents to keep the balance," Sonakshi said at the launch of Rajinikanth's daughter Aishwarya's debut book launch titled 'Standing On An Apple Box'
"I've had a lovely childhood except for the parts when I was thrown into the limelight, unexpectedly or given more attention than I craved for," she added.
Sonakshi graced the launch of Aishwarya's debut book launch along with Karan Johar. The book is a semi-fictional memoir of the good, bad and ugly of being the daughter of one of the most celebrated actors of the Indian film industry.
Sonakshi also talked about her childhood upbringing and memories during the book launch.
"At 14, I went with dad on some campaigning and everyone was treating me like a celebrity and asking me for my autograph. So when you're thrown into that at such a young age, you start thinking that 'oh my god what am I pushed into? I don't want to be here'. Things like this do impact you in certain ways, said the actress.
Sonakshi Sinha also thanked Aishwarya for writing such a book and says that this might help people's opinion about celebrity kids.
"I am really happy that she has written this book, which gives our perspective out so that people know how we also feel" adds Sonakshi.
Post 'Force 2', Sonakshi is currently shooting for 'Noor', which is also based on a book by Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz titled 'Karachi, You're Killing Me!' The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 21, 2017.
"Star child or celebrity kids craves for some kind of normalcy in their lives as they are always surrounded by so much chaos. I think it is very important for the parents to keep the balance," Sonakshi said at the launch of Rajinikanth's daughter Aishwarya's debut book launch titled 'Standing On An Apple Box'
"I've had a lovely childhood except for the parts when I was thrown into the limelight, unexpectedly or given more attention than I craved for," she added.
Sonakshi graced the launch of Aishwarya's debut book launch along with Karan Johar. The book is a semi-fictional memoir of the good, bad and ugly of being the daughter of one of the most celebrated actors of the Indian film industry.
Sonakshi also talked about her childhood upbringing and memories during the book launch.
"At 14, I went with dad on some campaigning and everyone was treating me like a celebrity and asking me for my autograph. So when you're thrown into that at such a young age, you start thinking that 'oh my god what am I pushed into? I don't want to be here'. Things like this do impact you in certain ways, said the actress.
Sonakshi Sinha also thanked Aishwarya for writing such a book and says that this might help people's opinion about celebrity kids.
"I am really happy that she has written this book, which gives our perspective out so that people know how we also feel" adds Sonakshi.
Post 'Force 2', Sonakshi is currently shooting for 'Noor', which is also based on a book by Pakistani author Saba Imtiaz titled 'Karachi, You're Killing Me!' The film is scheduled for a worldwide release on April 21, 2017.
Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan might have drifted apart legally but they are a doting parents to their two children, Hrehaan and Hridhaan. During separation, the estranged couple made it clear that they would always be a dutiful and doting parents to their two sons and they won’t allow their separation to come in the way of their upbringing.
On Thursday night, Hrithik and Suzanne were spotted together at a Mumbai restaurant and no it wasn't a date but the night out is meant for their children. The parents wanted to spend some quality time with two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan.
Post divorce, Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan have maintained a cordial relationship. They were spotted couple of times with their kids. In May this year, Hrithik and Suzanne came together to ring in younger son Hridhaan's birthday.
Their repeated outing gave rise to the rumor that the divorced couple is thinking to reconcile and give their marriage a second chance but Suzanne clearly rubbished any such possibility.
On Thursday night, Hrithik and Suzanne were spotted together at a Mumbai restaurant and no it wasn't a date but the night out is meant for their children. The parents wanted to spend some quality time with two sons, Hrehaan and Hridhaan.
Post divorce, Hrithik Roshan and Suzanne Khan have maintained a cordial relationship. They were spotted couple of times with their kids. In May this year, Hrithik and Suzanne came together to ring in younger son Hridhaan's birthday.
Their repeated outing gave rise to the rumor that the divorced couple is thinking to reconcile and give their marriage a second chance but Suzanne clearly rubbished any such possibility.