By
Sharada Iyer
Smita Patil made her debut in Hindi cinema with Shyam Benegal’s Charandas Chor in 1975 and continued to behave until 1986. Although she made a reputation for herself as a strong actress of the ‘parallel cinema’ motion which was gaining momentum at the moment, she additionally made a foray into business cinema in a giant manner and gave her greatest to no matter roles that got here throughout her manner.
She struck a nice stability between each kinds of cinemas and instance of that is the 12 months 1982. That was the 12 months when she had nice off-beat movies like Arth, Umbartha and Bazaar on the one hand and on the opposite she left an impression in a string of economic releases like Namak Halal, Shakti, Dil-e-Nadaan, Dard Ka Rishta, Badle ki Aag and Bheegi Palkein.
17th October, 2023 was Smita Patil’s 68th start anniversary. She died tragically in 1986 inside a fortnight of giving start to her son Prateik Babbar on the younger age of 31 years because of post-delivery issues. It’s thirty- seven years since she handed away, however her physique of labor continues to stay enigmatic, impactful, and irreplaceable even at this time.
This blog-post examines her on-screen pairing with celebrity Rajesh Khanna. Each Smita Patil and Rajesh Khanna have been extremely proficient actors however they didn’t get many alternatives to create any particular on-screen magic. By the point they obtained to behave collectively, Khanna was not the celebrity he as soon as was and barring a couple of of his movies, most of his initiatives within the eighties had fairly pathetic plots. Smita was simply getting into business cinema and a few of her characters reverse Rajesh Khanna have been fairly trite and unexciting.
Collectively they acted in seven films- Amrit, Aakhir Kyon?, Dil-E-Nadaan, Anokha Rishta, Nazrana, Angaaray and Awam. Of those, it was solely Amrit with its distinctive storyline which gave the 2 actors scope to show their expertise in an excellent manner. Whereas Aakhir Kyon? had Rajesh Khanna in a supporting position, Dil-E-Nadaan had Smita Patil in a supporting position. Angaaray had Khanna in a particular look and Anokha Rishta had Smita in a particular look. Nazrana and Awam have been launched after Smita Patil had handed away.
Dil-E-Nadaan (1982)
Director: C V Sridhar
It was in 1982 that the 2 actors got here collectively for the primary time within the movie Dil-E-Nadaan, which was a remake of the Tamil hit movie ‘Ilamai Oonjal Adugiradu’. The forged additionally included Shatrughan Sinha and Jaya Prada. The movie had Smita Patil solely in a facet position as the principle heroine was Jaya Prada however she managed to depart an impression in her small position.
Shatrughan Sinha and Rajesh Khanna develop up as brothers as Rajesh Khanna as a baby had been adopted by Shatrughan’s mother and father. Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Prada love one another. Smita Patil who performs Rajesh Khanna’s assistant additionally nurtures romantic emotions for him. Each time Smita sees these two collectively, she is just not very pleased. To neglect him, she decides to go to her village for some time nevertheless it so occurs that Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Prada additionally resolve to journey to her village and meet her. Nonetheless, because of unhealthy climate, Jaya Prada is unable to come back and Rajesh Khanna is pressured to stick with Smita Patil in her home in a single day.
He begins consuming and making the most of his drunken state, Smita attire up like a bride and seduces him to sleep along with her. The following morning when Rajesh Khanna realizes his mistake, he writes a notice the place he apologizes to Smita requesting her to maintain this as a secret between them and by no means to divulge to Jaya Prada. He leaves the notice close to Smita’s pillow whereas she is sleeping and leaves the home. However earlier than Smita Patil wakes up, Jaya Prada winds up there and reads the notice and involves know the reality, however neither Smita nor Rajesh Khanna come to know that she is aware of the reality.
After this Jaya Prada’s behaviour in direction of Rajesh Khanna adjustments and now Shatrughan Sinha begins having emotions for her. In the meantime Smita Patil quits her job and is now pregnant with Khanna’s little one. The narrative then proceeds with the standard substances of bewilderment, confusion, sacrifice, and plenty of drama earlier than coming to the climax. Ultimately Smita Patil dies and fingers over the kid to Rajesh Khanna and Jaya Prada. Shatrughan Sinha additionally sacrifices his emotions to make his good friend pleased.
Here’s a beautiful duet ‘Tera ishq hai meri zindagi…’ from the movie wherein Smita Patil imagines herself with Rajesh Khanna:
Aakhir Kyon? (1985)
Director: J Om Prakash
Three years later each the actors obtained collectively for his or her second outing in a typical household melodrama Aakhir Kyon? Right here Smita Patil performs spouse to Rakesh Roshan and Tina Munim varieties the third angle of the love triangle. Rajesh Khanna has a supporting position as a good friend and well-wisher of Smita Patil whom she meets at a low and weak level in her life. He has emotions for her however she has set new objectives for herself and doesn’t want to be distracted.
Rakesh Roshan and Tina Munim are lovers however he ditches her with regards to settling down and finally ends up marrying her cousin, Smita Patil. Every thing is rosy of their life until Smita will get pregnant and Tina decides to come back and keep along with her cousin to assist her. Now bother brews in paradise as their previous emotions are rekindled and Rakesh Roshan and Tina begin sleeping with one another with out Smita’s data.
Nonetheless, Smita finally ends up discovering the reality and feels disgusted when Rakesh Roshan tells her that she should settle for his relationship with Tina. After their child lady is born, Smita leaves the home, fingers over the kid to the nanny and decides to start out life afresh on a brand new notice and don’t have any connections along with her previous. At this juncture she meets Rajesh Khanna who turns into a good friend and helps her. She begins writing and shortly makes a reputation for herself as an creator. Her books change into best-sellers.
In the meantime Rakesh Roshan and Tina’s life has change into a mattress of thorns as they hold having fights and get on one another’s nerves. To make issues worse they begin having monetary issues. Time passes and now Smita’s daughter’s marriage is mounted. She involves know of this and affords to jot down a e book for Rakesh Roshan’s firm to assist him financially and allow him to bear the marriage bills. He invitations her for his or her daughter’s wedding ceremony however she refuses saying she by no means desires her daughter to know what she had endured and doesn’t wish to come between her daughter and Tina, because the latter is the mom determine in her daughter’s life.
Ultimately Rajesh Khanna who has been ready all these years within the background permitting Smita to meet her dream of standing on her personal ft and obtain one thing confesses his emotions they usually get collectively. Although the movie is principally Smita’s journey of how she discovers herself after being betrayed by her husband the scenes each time Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil come collectively are price watching they usually look good collectively.
Right here’s a beautiful tune from the film- ‘Ek andhera laakh sitaare…’ :
Anokha Rishta (1986)
Director: I V Sasi
This movie was a remake of the Malayalam movie Kanamarayathu which in flip was loosely primarily based on the novel Daddy-Lengthy-Legs written by Jean Webster. The movie launched a brand new actress Sabeeha who was the daughter of the favored yesteryear actress of the B&W period, Ameeta. The movie offers with the distinctive relationship between a younger orphan lady and her mentor who’s greater than twenty years older to her.
Sabeeha is an orphan who’s below the care of a missionary college run by nuns. Tanuja within the position of Mom Superior is the pinnacle of the varsity. Sabeeha’s training is sponsored by a benevolent businessman whom the kid has by no means met however refers to him as her ‘uncle’ and communicates every thing to him about her research and her life by means of letters. Unknown to her this previous man passes away and now her sponsorship is taken up by his son performed by Rajesh Khanna.
Rajesh Khanna is in love with Smita Patil who’s a health care provider however their households don’t permit their marriage as they belong to totally different religions. So, they resolve to stay simply associates! Sabeeha meets Rajesh Khanna at her good friend’s celebration and with out figuring out that he’s her ‘uncle’ who sponsors her training, she falls in love with him. In truth, so nice is her infatuation and obsession for him that she is blind to the age hole between them. She is unable to speak about her emotions freely with anyone- neither the nuns in her college nor her ‘Uncle’. She has no good friend in whom she will be able to confide.
She turns into insanely jealous of Rajesh and Smita’s friendship and is all the time imagining them collectively in a sexual method. To interrupt their friendship, she spreads lies that Rajesh Khanna has obtained her pregnant. Issues begin spiralling uncontrolled and when Rajesh Khanna questions her for her atrocious lies, she decides to change into a nun. Now Smita urges Rajesh Khanna to be extra delicate and save the lady from taking this drastic step. He intervenes in the long run and makes her see purpose and provides her hand to a younger man who Khanna is aware of loves Sabeeha dearly.
The story was off-beat however path was simply okay. Newcomer Sabeeha might probably not act her half nicely. Smita Patil had little or no to contribute and one wonders why she took up this position! Rajesh Khanna in a job befitting his age was good.
Angaaray (1986)
Director: Rajesh Sethi
A typical rape-revenge saga of the eighties, the movie’s script targeted on how the regressive values and ideas of individuals in a society are as a lot guilty because the rapist for the heart-wrenching plight of any rape sufferer and the way such a heinous act goes unpunished due to our hole justice system. The movie offers with Smita Patil’s journey from a hard-working lady who stays along with her mom and youthful brother Alankar, to changing into a rape sufferer when she falls prey to her boss Shakti Kapoor’s lusty intentions, and at last her revenge to quench her anger and get justice.
Smita Patil is forged reverse Raj Babbar who performs an inspector and saves her from a rape try by Shakti Kapoor as soon as. He has emotions for her however earlier than he musters up braveness to admit about his like to her, his America-returned good friend, performed by Rajesh Khanna, falls in love along with her, proposes to her they usually get engaged. He leaves quickly after their engagement and their marriage is to be held throughout his subsequent journey to India. Nonetheless, destiny has different plans and Smita sadly will get raped by Shakti Kapoor. Now Rajesh Khanna’s mother and father with out his data break off the marriage after they come to know of the rape.
At this juncture Raj Babbar manages to admit his love for her and she or he may be very pleased. However right here once more his mom objects to him marrying a rape sufferer and pissed off at these ineffective societal beliefs she decides to change into a courtesan and feels protected right here. Quickly after, when she learns that Shakti Kapoor has managed to kill her youthful brother additionally, she decides to take justice in her fingers. She will get maintain of a rifle from her watchman good friend Ifthekar and kills Shakti Kapoor. The courtroom mercifully understands the entire state of affairs and decides to let her go free and now Raj Babbar’s mom additionally accepts her.
Smita Patil comes up with an excellent efficiency. She isn’t any whimpering sufferer right here however takes on no matter destiny throws at her with a raised chin and an innate energy and dignity. However, Rajesh Khanna sadly appeared a misfit for the position and for the primary time overacts within the quick display time that he will get. There was no scope to showcase any on-screen chemistry, however they do have a tune picturized on them.
Amrit (1986)
Director: Mohan Kumar
Recent from the success of his movie Avatar, director Mohan Kumar groups up with Rajesh Khanna once more to give you an emotional household drama Amrit. This time the heroine is Smita Patil. Each the actors get to play previous characters within the movie and give you superlative performances. Tinheritor gestures, nuances and mannerisms as previous individuals have been so pure and plausible. This movie is a must-watch only for their excellent appearing.
Rajesh Khanna is a widower who stays along with his son and daughter-in-law however is ill-treated by them. His solely good friend in the home is his little grandson and the 2 spend numerous time with one another. Equally, Smita Patil is a widow staying along with her son and daughter-in-law and ill-treated by them. Her good friend in the home is her little granddaughter.
Each Khanna and Smita take their respective grandchild to the park within the night and handle to strike a dialog with one another as they sit watching their grandkids play collectively. Quickly they change into associates and get to find out about one another’s households and because the narrative progresses their true situation of their respective homes can be uncovered to at least one one other. Their widespread ache and struggling deliver them nearer. After they’re thrown out of their respective homes by their households, they begin dwelling collectively and maintain one another. Years later, their grandchildren land at their doorstep. Now the are grown up and have gotten married to one another.
The movie ends on a constructive notice that what appears to be the top of a street at one level in life, might be the start of a brand new journey and a brighter tomorrow. Here’s a fabulous tune from the movie:
Nazrana (1987)
Director: Ravi Tandon
This movie had one of the crucial convoluted plots ever to have been written and it felt unhappy to see three tremendous actors- Rajesh Khanna, Smita Patil and Sridevi- being a part of this most forgettable enterprise. Sadly, Rajesh Khanna’s character is just not likeable and he comes throughout as a person of lust and no morals. Smita Patil performs fairly a regressive character however her appearing is prime class. Sridevi is simply okay within the small position she has.
Within the movie Smita Patil performs Rajesh Khanna’s spouse, Sridevi is their previous maid’s daughter and a 3rd actress Preeti Sapru performs a mannequin who works for Khanna. She has set her eyes on Rajesh Khanna and his wealth and can go to any lengths to change into his spouse. Although Rajesh and Smita are fortunately married, she has an issue because of which she will be able to by no means conceive. Sridevi lives within the slum along with her mom however she is pressured to rub mud over her face and physique to make her look ugly and to maintain the goons away from her (How do writers even give you such concepts!).
Nonetheless, one wet evening, when Smita Patil is away visiting her mother and father, and Rajesh Khanna is alone in the home, he spots Sridevi dancing within the rain and slowly when her mud comes off from the rainwater revealing her actual truthful pores and skin, he realizes she is kind of a magnificence. He decides to interchange Preeti Sapru and make Sridevi the brand new mannequin for his firm. He makes her put on Smita Patil’s sari and takes her to a celebration the place the producer begins to misbehave along with her. An enraged Khanna walks out of the social gathering holding Sridevi’s hand and after they attain residence, in some way occasions occur which cause them to sleep with one another.
The following morning when Smita winds up unannounced, she realizes what had occurred in her absence. Her anger is aware of no bounds and although she forbids Sridevi from ever getting into the home, she continues to stick with Khanna below the identical roof. Not solely does Rajesh Khanna not present any regret for his unforgivable act, he even slaps Smita when she confronts him. The movie takes an enormous flip downhill from right here and after numerous bosh and nonsense which even consists of Preeti Sapru being killed, the movie reaches the climax when Sridevi dies handing over her little one to Smita Patil and Rajesh Khanna.
Regardless of the horrendous plot, individuals flocked to see the movie in cinema halls only for the sake of Smita Patil as this was the primary movie to be launched after her demise.
Awam (1987)
Director: B R Chopra
Preserving in tune along with his traditional physique of labor, director B R Chopra’s Awam had a socially related topic which was each partaking in addition to entertaining. The plot concerned a authorities espionage ring working with sure high-profile individuals and the military has been known as in to research the matter. Rajesh Khanna performs a military officer who works along with his chief Nana Patekar to uncover the face of the gang members.
The director managed to rope in an excellent line-up of proficient artistes who lent the required gravitas to the topic and saved the narrative attention-grabbing. These included- Ashok Kumar, Ifthekar, Om Shivpuri, Shafi Inamdar, Satish Shah, Saeed Jafferey, Dr Shriram Lagoo, Nana Patekar, Raj Babbar, Deepak Parashar, Vijay Arora, Chandrashekhar, and Sushma Seth. Actress Poonam Dhillon performs Rajesh Khanna’s love curiosity whereas Smita Patil is Raj Babbar’s heroine.
Although Rajesh Khanna and Smita Patil weren’t forged reverse one another, they’d some scenes collectively as each Raj Babbar and Smita assist him in his investigation. When he begins to come back nearer to the reality, Rajesh Khanna is topic to court-martial and requested to step down by planting false proof. To uncover the id of the criminals and to nab them red-handed, Khanna pretends to affix with the wrong-doers and after numerous thrilling motion scenes, every thing falls in place. Smita Patil has a few highly effective scenes.
(Trivia: It was actress Rekha who dubbed for Smita Patil in the whole movie and although Rekha has accomplished an honest job, the voice distinction can’t be ignored)
