Nutan Samarth (1936-91)
Top Hindi 60s star, introduced to films by her mother, Shobhana Samarth, in Hamari Beti. Her screen image was moulded by Bimal Roy (Sujata, Bandini) and by those who continued in the Roy tradition: Hrishikesh Mukherjee (Anari), Bimal Dutt (Kasturi) and Sudhendu Roy (Saudagar). Her persona, confirmed in e.g. Saraiya’s Saraswatichandra and in Raj Khosla’s melodramas (Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon), developed a naturalism borrowed from reformist Bengali and Gujarati novels, constituting an indigenised variant of neorealism. This aspect of her acting, anticipating Smita Patil’s image, became crucial to e.g. the iconography of the New Indian Cinema’s notion of ‘Indianness’. In her best-known films she performed with a frothy uninhibitedness comparable to Madhubala: the Filmistan musical Paying Guest and Navketan’s Vijay Anand hit Tere Ghar Ke Saamne are fine examples of the romantic duo she formed with Dev Anand. In later years she acted mother roles.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1945: Nala Damayanti; 1950: Hamari Beti; 1951: Humlog; Nagina; 1952: Hangama; Nirmohi; Parbat; Shisham; 1953: Aaghosh; Shabab; 1955: Seema; 1956: Heer; 1957: Baarish; Paying Guest; 1958: Aakhri Dao; Chandan; Delhi Ka Thug; Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala; Sone Ki Chidiya; Zindagi Ya Toofan; 1959: Anari; Kanhaiya; Sujata; 1960: Basant; Chhabili; Chhalia; Manzil; 1963: Soorat Aur Seerat; Bandini; Dil Hi To Hai; Tere Ghar Ke Saamne; 1964: Chandi Ki Deewar; 1965: Khandaan; Rishte Naate; 1966: Chhota Bhai; Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya; Dulhan Ek Raat Ki; 1967: Laat Saheb; Meharbaan; Mera Munna; Milan; 1968: Gauri; Saraswatichandra; 1969: Bhai Bahen; 1970: Devi; Maa Aur Mamta; Maharaja; Yaadgaar; 1971: Lagan; 1972: Anuraag; Mangetar; Grahan; 1973: Saudagar; 1976: Zid; Ginny Aur Johnny; 1977: Duniyadari; Jagriti; Mandir Masjid; Paradh; 1978: Anjaam; Ek Baap Chhe Bete; Hamara Sansar; Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki; Saajan Bina Suhagan; Kasturi; 1980: Saajan Ki Saheli; Sanjh Ki Bela; 1982: Jiyo Aur Jeene Do; Teri Maang Sitaron Se Bhar Doon; 1983: Rishta Kaagaz Ka; 1984: Yeh Kaisa Farz; 1985: Aar Paar/Anyay? Abichar; Meri Jung; Paisa Yeh Paisa; Yudh; Mayuri (H); Mujrim Hazir (TV); Pyari Bhabhi; Ricky; 1986: Karma; Naam; 1987: Hifazat; 1988: Sone Pe Suhaaga; 1989: Guru (H); Mujrim; Kanoon Apna Apna; Aulad Ki Khatir; 1992: Naseebwala; 1994: Insaniyat.