Smita Patil would have been 70 today, October 17. Subhash K Jha highlights 10 interesting facts about the late movie legend.
Smita Patil used to read the news in Marathi on Doordarshan when Shyam Benegal spotted her and cast her in Charandas Chor (1975).
Shyam Benegal cast Smita in memorable roles in Manthan and Bhumika. But he gave Shabana Azmi a bigger portion of roles, a fact Smita resented.
The rivalry between the actresses persisted till her death.
When Sharmila Tagore opted out of Shor at the last minute, Smita was supposed to play the wife's role that Nanda finally played.
Smita declined the role as she was not interested in acting at that point.
Smita was reportedly uncomfortable doing song-and-dance routines.
After filming the rain song Aaj Rapat Jayen in Namak Halaal with Amitabh Bachchan, she went home and wept bitterly on her mother's lap.
Smita shared a close bond with Amitabh Bachchan; they did two films together, Namak Halaal and Shakti.
Smita reportedly had a premonition about Bachchan's near-fatal accident in 1982 and shared her dread with him. Apparently, she also knew she was going to die young and told her friends so.
Smita worked in B Subhash's Dance Dance (1987) while being pregnant. The scriptwriter wrote in pregnancy for her character to accommodate her growing tummy.
Mahesh Bhatt wanted Rohini Hattangadi to play the 'other woman' in Arth. Shabana suggested Smita for the role and Rohini to play the house help.
Smita's posthumous releases included Debshishu, Hum Farishte Nahin, Dance Dance, Insaniyat Ke Dushman, Thikana, Oonch Neech Beech, Waaris and Mirch Masala.
The 1990 film Galiyon Ka Badshah marked her last film appearance.
After Smita's death, Shabana Azmi offered to dub for Smita in Waaris, but it was Rekha who got the privilege.