Nutan Samarth-Bahl: A Life of Grace, Talent, and Controversy
Nutan the daughter of filmmaker and poet Kumarsen Samarth and his actress spouse, Shobhana. As the eldest sibling, she had two sisters, Tanuja and Chatura, and a brother named Jaideep. Beyond her film career, Nutan’s life was significantly influenced by her husband, Rajinish, and their son, Mohnish Bahl. Despite her numerous achievements, Nutan often found herself in the media spotlight due to various controversies. Let us take a moment to reflect on Nutan’s life and the instances that brought her attention beyond her professional endeavors.
Early Life and Family Background of Nutan Samarth-Bahl
Nutan Samarth-Bahl was born on June 4, 1936, in Bombay, into a Marathi Hindu family as the eldest of four siblings. Shobhna. Kumarsen played a significant role in the early development of the Films Division of India. Nutan’s maternal lineage included her grandmother Rattan Bai and her aunt Nalini Jaywant, both of whom were also involved in acting. During her childhood, she struggled with self-esteem issues, often feeling too thin. Nutan had two sisters, actress Tanuja and Chatura, as well as a brother named Jaideep. Her parents separated prior to Jaideep’s birth. Notably, actresses Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji are her nieces, with Kajol later sharing the record for the most Filmfare Best Actress awards with Nutan
Nutan’s Education, Film Career, and Achievements
She featured in more than 80 films, encompassing a variety of genres from urban love stories to socio-political dramas. Her numerous accolades include an unprecedented five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. In 1974, she was honored with the Padma Shri, which is the fourth highest civilian award in India.
During her childhood, Nutan attended Villa Theresa School and subsequently pursued her education at Baldwin Girls’ High School in Bangalore. Although she had a passion for the performing arts, particularly singing and dancing, she also excelled in subjects such as arithmetic and geography. Nutan studied classical music for four years under of Jagannath Prasad. In 1953, at a time when her film career was already underway.
Nutan’s Struggles, Early Acting Career, and Transformation
Nutan had a tough time growing up because she was really skinny as a kid. There was this one time when a family friend called her ugly, and it was her mom, Shobhana, who helped her feel better. In an old interview, Nutan talked about that moment from her childhood, saying, “I can still remember when I was four, a friend of my mom looked at me for a long time and said, ‘Honestly, Shobhana, what an ugly child you have!'”
Nutan made her acting debut in 1950 with the film Hamari Beti, thanks to her mother, Shobhana. A family friend who once thought she was unattractive changed their mind after witnessing her impressive acting skills. In 1951, Nutan was crowned Miss India. Since she was quite slim, her mother decided to send her to La Chatelaine, a Swiss Finishing School, where she gained an additional 40 pounds and developed a more curvy figure. Nutan quickly became one of the most popular actresses of her era, earning five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress. She embarked on her acting career at the young age of 14 with the film Hamari Beti, which was directed by her mother in 1950. Following this, she appeared in the films Nagina and Hum Log, both released in 1951. Her performance in Seema, released in 1955, brought her significant acclaim and earned her the first Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Nutan continued to take on leading roles throughout the 1960s and into the late 1970s, ultimately winning the Filmfare Award on four additional occasions for her performances in Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978). Other notable films from this era include Anari (1959), Chhalia (1960), Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963), Khandan (1965), Saraswatichandra (1968), Anuraag (1972), and Saudagar (1973).
Nutan Samarth-Bahl’s Early Film Successes and Rise to Stardom
Nutan made her film debut as a child in her father’s production, Nal Damyanti, in 1945. She embarked on her acting career at the age of 14, portraying the lead role in Hamari Beti (1950), a film directed by her mother. During the production, she experienced inner turmoil, doubting her abilities and appearance. Nutan contributed to the film’s soundtrack by performing the song “Tujhe Kaisa Dulha Bhaaye Re.” Upon its release, the film garnered significant attention for her performance. Although the Motion Picture Magazine criticized the film overall, it acknowledged Nutan’s “fine performance,” which indicated “great promise.” She recounted how her relatives’ perceptions shifted after viewing the film, stating, “The relatives who called me ugly changed their opinions overnight. They said they were proud of me.”
Following this, Nutan starred in Ravindra Dave’s suspense thriller Nagina (1951), which further elevated her recognition in the industry. This film marked her first commercial success. At just 15 years old, she was prohibited from attending its premiere due to its adult certification. That same year, she appeared in the social drama Hum Log, directed by Zia Sarhadi, which resonated well with audiences. In this film, Nutan played Paro, the daughter of a middle-class family and an aspiring writer battling tuberculosis. Both Nagina and Hum Log solidified her status as an emerging star.
In the subsequent year, Nutan participated in the 1952 Femina Miss India contest, where she was awarded the title of Miss Mussoorie. Following this recognition, she was sent to Switzerland for further studies, prompted by concerns regarding her weight loss and delicate health.
Nutan Samarth-Bahl’s Personal Life: Romance, Marriage, and Family Values
Nutan and Shammi Kapoor were childhood friends who lived next door to each other. There were lots of rumors about them being deeply in love. But when Nutan mentioned Shammi to her mom, it was said that her mom refused to accept it and sent Nutan to Switzerland for her studies. That pretty much ended their young romance. In an interview with ETimes, Shammi Kapoor’s wife, Neila Devi, shared that Shammi ended up marrying Geeta Bali shortly after Nutan.
Nutan tied the knot with Naval Lieutenant Commander Rajnish Bahl in 1959, and they welcomed their son, Mohnish Bahl, in 1961. Mohnish has made a name for himself as an actor in the entertainment industry. Nutan valued family time and believed strongly in marriage, which led her to announce that she would stop acting after getting married. However, her husband Rajnish encouraged her to pursue her passion. He once mentioned that Nutan had two great loves: her family and her career in films. Instead of letting her family duties overshadow her acting dreams, Nutan became a role model for many actresses by successfully balancing both as a married woman.
Legal Conflict and Reconciliation: Nutan Samarth-Bahl’s Strained Relationship with Her Family
There were rumors that Nutan took legal action against her mother, Shobhana, for mismanaging her finances, resulting in nearly twenty years of silence between Nutan and the Samarth family. In a conversation with fashion photographer Gautam Rajadhyaksha, she explained her difficult choice to sue her mother, saying, “It was a very hard decision for me to take. Yes, I had expected the reaction, ‘How can a daughter take her mother to the court?’ But that didn’t make the conflict any easier to bear. Yet, I had to do it to protect the future of everyone concerned.”
Nutan’s bond with her mother and siblings became so strained that during a flight to Chennai, she spotted her sister, Tanuja, on the same plane and decided to switch to a different flight. Shobhana mentioned that it was after Nutan’s marriage that she started drifting away from her family. However, they all came together for a family reunion when their grandmother fell ill, which brought happiness to everyone. The situation was also resolved in 1983.
The Sanjeev Kumar Slap Incident: Nutan’s Stand Against Rumors
Back in 1969, director V. Madhusudan Rao was collaborating with Nutan, one of the top actresses of that era, and Sanjeev Kumar, who was just beginning his career. Everything was going well on the set of Devi until one day, Nutan’s slap brought the entire crew to a standstill. In a heated interview with Stardust in 1972, Nutan explained why she publicly slapped her co-star Sanjeev Kumar. Although Nutan and Sanjeev had worked together in several films and maintained a friendly relationship, rumors about their alleged affair began to circulate, which Nutan initially dismissed. However, as the gossip intensified, it started to bother her. Eventually, she learned from a trusted source that Sanjeev was the one who had sparked the rumors.
Moreover, according to Nutan, Sanjeev claimed that they were living together and even planning to gain custody of her son, Mohnish Bahl. She also mentioned that Sanjeev suggested she was considering leaving her husband, Rajnish Bahl. In that same fiery interview with Stardust, Nutan reflected on the incident, stating that Sanjeev wasn’t even worth her husband’s toenail.
Nutan had made it clear from the beginning that the trouble began after they worked on the film Gouri. She said, “Ever since I worked with Sanjeev in ‘Gouri,’ my relationship with him has been friendly, straightforward, courteous, and professional. But nothing more than that. When I saw a report linking me romantically with Sanjeev, it completely took me by surprise.”
She was tired of all the gossip and decided it was time to confront Sanjeev Kumar. When she approached him, he responded with an attitude that only made her more frustrated. Describing the moment she slapped him, Nutan said: “He stood there with one hand on his waist, looking completely uninterested, like he was saying ‘hurry up’ with his face. It made me so angry. I calmly told him I needed to talk. But with that same bored look, he waved his hand dismissively towards a corner and said, ‘Let’s go sit over there.’ That was the last straw! I couldn’t hold back anymore, so I gave him a sharp slap and told him exactly what I thought.”
Nutan’s Later Years and Passing: Health Struggles
During the 1980s, Nutan transitioned into character roles and remained active in the film industry until shortly before her passing. She predominantly took on maternal roles in films such as Saajan Ki Saheli (1981), Meri Jung (1985), and Naam (1986). Her portrayal in Meri Jung garnered her a sixth and final Filmfare Award in the Best Supporting Actress category.
In 1990, Nutan Samarth-Bahl’s health took a turn for the worse as cancer spread to her liver. She fought bravely against the disease but sadly passed away on February 21, 1991. In 2004, a fire broke out in her penthouse apartment located in the 32-story Sagar Sangeet building in Colaba, resulting in her husband, Rajnish Bahl, suffering fatal burns. Nutan faced a lot of backlash for taking her mother to court and for publicly slapping an actor, but she never regretted her choices. Her fearless actions in standing up for herself earned her great respect as one of the leading actresses in Hindi cinema.
Nutan’s Achievements in Awards
- In 1986, Nutan Samarth-Bahlreceived the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress.
- She was honored with the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1979.
- Nutan also won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1964.
- Additionally, she took home the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1960.
Tributes and Honors of Nutan Samarth-Bahl
Nutan Samarth-Bahl’s legacy and accolades Nutan featured on a 2011 Indian postage stamp. The narrative of her life is chronicled in the book Nutan – Asen Mi Nasen Mi, authored by the renowned Marathi writer Lalita Tamhane. Her biography was unveiled by actress Madhuri Dixit in 2016. In February 2011, the Government of India issued a postage stamp honoring Nutan, which prominently displayed her image. On her 81st birthday in 2017, Google celebrated her contributions with a special Doodle. In tribute to her, singer Lata Mangeshkar remarked, “If one were to rank actresses based on their acting talent, Nutan’s name would undoubtedly be at the forefront.” Actress Sonam Kapoor paid homage by recreating a famous pose of Nutan from the film Saraswatichandra, expressing that Nutan is her “favourite.” Actress Tara Sutaria described Nutan as “fascinating,” lamenting that her generation misses Nutan’s unique charm and elegance. Lalit Kumar observed that Nutan approached every role with a distinct moral superiority and grace. In 2019, the Bimal Roy Film and Memorial Society hosted a three-day retrospective to celebrate Nutan’s 83rd birth anniversary.