Nutan, a name synonymous with timeless elegance and unparalleled talent, continues to reign as one of Indian cinema’s most cherished icons. Her journey is not just a tale of on-screen brilliance but also a testament to the enduring legacy of grace and versatility.
In the realms of Indian cinema, Nutan stands tall as a beacon of beauty and strength. Her ethereal charm and captivating smile have left an indelible mark on the hearts of millions. Through her remarkable portrayals, she effortlessly transformed into characters that resonated with audiences across generations.
Beyond her enchanting facade, Nutan essence lies in her simplicity and authenticity. She effortlessly endeared herself to fans with her down-to-earth demeanor and genuine warmth, earning admiration and adoration in equal measure.
But it was Nutan unparalleled talent that truly set her apart. With each role she undertook, she breathed life into characters, bringing depth, nuance, and emotion to the silver screen. Whether portraying the traditional Indian woman with conviction or embodying the spirit of the modern Indian girl with flair, Nutan versatility knew no bounds.
As we celebrate the legacy of Nutan, we embark on a journey through her illustrious career, exploring the myriad roles she inhabited and the profound impact she continues to have on Indian cinema and culture. Join us as we pay homage to a true luminary whose legacy shines bright, illuminating the path for generations of artists to come.
Early Life of Nutan
Nutan was born on June 24, 1936. Her father, Kumarsen Samarth, was a poet and director. Her mother, Shobhana Samarth, was a famous actress who was quite active in the 1940s. Shobhana Samarth had four children: three daughters, Nutan, Tanuja, Chatura, and a son, Jaydeep. Nutan was the eldest. Like her mother Shobhana, Nutan also studied at Baldwin’s High School in Bangalore.
Nutan Wanted to Become a Singer
Nutan was skilled in swimming and horse riding. She enjoyed driving cars and loved playing badminton. Nutan also had a keen interest in music and received formal training in classical music from the renowned musician Pandit Jagannath Prasad. Nutan aspired to become a singer, but her voice was very thin. Therefore, she had to abandon her dream of becoming a playback singer in films. However, she continued to sing in stage shows.
Nutan First Film
Nutan began preparing herself for films. Moreover, she had been performing on stage since childhood. At the age of two and a half, Nutan gave her first performance at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai. Nutan also received training in Indian classical dance, so she often participated in dance shows and became famous at a young age. In 1941, Nutan signed her first autograph. At the age of eight, Nutan got her first break in films as a child artist. The film was “Nal Damyanti,” released in 1945, which was made by her father, Kumarsen Samarth.
Nutan Official Debut Film
Nutan officially entered the world of films in 1950 with the movie “Hamari Beti.” At that time, Nutan was only 15 years old. This film was made by her mother, Shobhana Samarth, who also directed it by coincidence. Shobhana Samarth had put in a lot of effort to groom Nutan for acting. Renowned actor Motilal was also part of this film, and he gave Nutan several acting tips. Although the film didn’t perform exceptionally at the box office as expected by Shobhana Samarth, Nutan acting was noticed and appreciated. Offers started pouring in for Nutan, and soon she had more work than even her mother, Shobhana Samarth, had anticipated.
When Nutan Couldn’t Watch Her Own Film
Nutan second film was released in 1951, titled “Nagina,” a mystery drama. In the same year, she also worked in another film called “Hum Log.” You’ll be surprised to know that when this film was released, Nutan parents themselves didn’t allow her to watch it because at that time Nutan was only 16 years old, and the film had been given an adult certificate by the censor board.
Unfulfilled Dreams
In 1952, Nutan appeared in “Hangaama,” followed by “Malikin” in 1953 and “Shabaab” in 1954. Nutan work was well-received by the audience in all these films. Nutan was working with every major star of her time, be it Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor, or Rajendra Kumar. However, her desire to work with Dilip Kumar remained unfulfilled. It is said that Nutan was also cast opposite Dilip Kumar in a film called “Shikwa.” The shooting for the film had begun, but due to certain reasons, the film could not be completed, leaving Nutan dream unfulfilled.
When Nutan Became Miss India
Nutan had already made a mark in the world of acting, but there was something more to come. In 1952, Nutan went to Mussoorie for holidays with her mother. During this time, there was a beauty pageant happening in Mussoorie, and Nutan participated in it. By coincidence, she won the pageant and became Miss Mussoorie. In the same year, she also participated in the Miss India competition and, to her surprise, won that as well. However, due to her slim physique, she faced a lot of criticism.
Acting Training from Switzerland
Even after becoming Miss India, Nutan continued to work in films, and eventually, in 1954, she went on a holiday to Paris. After Paris, she visited Switzerland and received formal acting training there. Returning to India, she resumed working in films, collaborating with major stars of the industry.
Changing Fate with Bimal Roy
While her pairing with Dev Anand in “Paying Guest” and “Tere Ghar Ke Samne” was well-received, and her films with Raj Kapoor like “Anari” and “Chhalia” made a mark at the box office, it was during this time that Nutan found herself collaborating with the legendary Bimal Roy.
Pandit Nehru Also Became a Fan of Nutan
Bimal Roy cast her opposite Sunil Dutt in his film “Sujata.” Nutan acting in this film compelled everyone to praise her, including the Prime Minister of that time, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru.
Superhit Films with Bimal Roy
In 1963, Bimal Roy cast Nutan in the film “Bandini.” Before the shooting of this film began, Nutan got married. It is also said that when Nutan was shooting for “Bandini,” she was pregnant. In the film, Nutan portrayed the character of Kalyani, a woman imprisoned for her lover’s wife’s murder. Once again, Nutan proved how splendid an actress she was. Just as Nutan received the Filmfare Best Actress Award for “Sujata,” she was honored with the same award for “Bandini” as well.
A Successful Pairing with Amitabh
Nutan also worked with Amitabh Bachchan in the film “Saudagar.” This film was released in 1974 when Amitabh Bachchan was a newcomer in the industry. For him, working with a great actress like Nutan was a significant achievement. Nutan performance in this film was highly appreciated by everyone. The film was India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the Academy Awards. Nutan was also nominated for the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role in this film.
Finally Fulfilling Nutan Decades-Old Desire
In the last years of the 1970s, Nutan began portraying mother roles in films. In the movie “Meri Jung,” she played Anil Kapoor’s mother. Nutan portrayed this role with great dedication. Similarly, she appeared in the film “Karma” alongside Dilip Kumar. Thus, Nutan decades-old desire to work with Dilip Kumar was fulfilled. After working with superstars like Dharmendra, Balraj Sahni, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, and Raj Kumar, Nutan finally got the opportunity to share the silver screen with Dilip Kumar.
Nutan Personal Life
Turning towards Nutan personal life, she married Lieutenant Commander Rajnish Bahl of the Indian Navy. They had a son, Mohnish Bahl, who also became an actor. Nutan sister Tanuja was also a well-known actress of her time. Nutan was the maternal aunt of Kajol and Tanisha.
The renowned actress of the olden days, Nalini Jaywant, was Nutan’s maternal aunt. Nalini Jaywant was the sister-in-law of Nutan’s mother, Shobhna Samarth. It’s important to note that Nutan parents, Shobhna Samarth and Kumarsen Samarth, separated when Nutan was young. Shobhna Samarth raised her children alone.
Cancer Took Nutan Life
Everything seemed to be going well in Nutan life. She was living a splendid and joy-filled life with her husband and son. It seemed like Nutan was poised to achieve many more milestones in Bollywood with her acting skills. However, fate took a turn, and Nutan life and happiness were shattered.
And Nutan Passed Away
One day, Nutan suddenly fell ill. Upon examination, it was discovered that she was suffering from breast cancer. Treatment was initiated, but just a few months later, on February 21, 1991, Nutan succumbed to cancer. Thus, the illustrious forty-year-long film career of one of the most remarkable actresses of the Indian film industry came to an end with her life.