Tue, 21-Oct-2025

Shobhana, Nutan’s mother, consoled her when she was called a “ugly child”

Nutan
  • Nutan, who is hailed as one of the most talented actresses of Hindi cinema.
  • Nutan had a strong bond with her mother, Shobhana Samarth, despite being disparaged by a family friend.
  • The actor, who died on February 21, 1991, from breast cancer.

Being one of the most gifted actresses in Hindi film, Nutan started acting in movies when she was just a teenager. Her mother, the well-known actor Shobhana Samarth, made both of her daughters debuts in the self-directed 1950 film Hamari Beti. While they were momentarily estranged for a spell, the actor and Shobhana remained close throughout his life. He passed away on February 21, 1991, from breast cancer. Nutan recalled how a family friend had made Shobhana feel bad about how she looked, and how her mother had soothed her by offering advice for the future.

Five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress would eventually be given to the performer. Seema (1955), Sujata (1959), Anari (1959), Bandini (1963), Tere Ghar Ke Saamne (1963), Milan (1967), Saraswatichandra (1968), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki were some of her well-known films (1978). Tanuja, Nutan’s younger sister, made her acting debut with her in Hamari Beti.

She remembered a childhood memory from a 1956 interview with Nutan that had always stuck with her. She’d stated, “When I was four years old, I recall my mother’s acquaintance saying, “Honestly, Shobhana, what an unattractive child you have!” after giving me a lengthy, disapproving glance. Even though I didn’t fully grasp what had been stated, I had a gut feeling that it didn’t bode well for me. I was shocked to learn what her friend had said when I later asked my mother about it.”

Nevertheless, according to Nutan, “But, my mother reassured me, “You should consider that as a compliment. A young ugly duckling develops into a lovely swan. That made me happy, and I told everybody who complimented me on my appearance to “just wait and see.” When I grow older, I want to look like my mother. I really did mean it because I thought what my mother told me was true.”

In 1959, she was hitched to Rajnish Bahl. Like his mother and grandmother, Mohnish Bahl, her son, too worked in movies. With the 2019 film Notebook, Pranutan Bahl makes her acting debut with Zaheer Iqbal. Salman Khan, who has collaborated with Mohnish on a number of films, produced the love story.

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