SHOBHANA SAMARTH (B.1916)
Hindi film actress born in Bombay. Started with Master Vinayak at Kolhapur Clnetone. Acted in Sagar films 0936-41), often with Motilal. Established her definitive screen image in her first Vijay Bhatt film, Bharat Milap/Bharat? Bhet, playing Seeta, repeating the role in Ramrajya, one of the most successful mythologicals in Indian cinema. She repeated the role several more times (Rambaan, Ram Viuah) opposite Prem Adib as Ram. This duo·s image fundamentally shaped the contemporary iconography of the Ramayana legend in comic books, calendar paintings and, recently, in TV as well as in Vishwa Hindu Parishad posters in the context of the Hindu RamJanmabhoomi? movement. Although associated almost solely with the Seeta figure, she also appeared in other mythologicals: esp. Nala Damnyanti (with Prithviraj Kapoor) and Kishore Sahu's Veer Kunal. as well as in melodramas like Shaukat Hussein Rizvi'sNaukar. Turned producer and director with Hamari Beti, launching her daughter Nutan. Also launched her other daughter Tanuja in Chhabili.
FILMOGRAPHY(* also d) 1935 Vilasi Ishwar!Nigab-e-Nafrat, 1936· Do Di.wane' Be Kharabjan; 1937: Kokila; 1938: Nimla Hindustan; 1939: Kaun Kisika; Pati Patni; Sadbana; 1940: Apnt Nagariya; Saubbngya; 1941: Darpan; Holiday in Bomba." Gharjavai; 1942: Baraat; Bharat Milap/Bharat? Bhet; Mata·, Nai Dulzi"a·,Savera, Shobha Swaminath: 1943: Jfahasati Ansuya; Naukar; Ramrajya; Vija}' Lakshmi: 1944: Au ban; Insaan; 1945: Taramati; NaJa? Damayanti: Veer Kunal; Shri Kn"shnarjun Yuddba: 1946: Umashi; 1947: Mallika; Sati Toral; Shahkar, 'lo'eerangana; 1948: Rambaan; 1949: Narasinh Avatar, Ram Vivah; 1950: Hamari Beti*; janmasbthami; 1951: Jai Mahalakshmi; Ram janma; 1954: Prisoner of Golconda; 1955: Insaniyat; 1959: Keechaka Vadha; 1960: Chbabilr"; Chhalia; 1965: Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal; 1972: Do Chor, Ek Baar Muskurado.