By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On Her Death Anniversary
जब जब हमने जीवन पाया
तेरा ही रूप सजा सजना
हर बार तुम्हीं ने माँग भरी
तुम्हीं ने पहनाया कँगना
हम फूल बने या राख हुए
पर साथ नहीं छूटा अपना
हर बार तुम्हीं तुम आन बसे
इन आँखों में बनकर सपना
हम तुम
Nutan, daughter of renowned actress Shobhna Samarth, was one of the most talented & sought after actresses who ruled the Hindi Cinema between 1950 to 1970.
In fact the whole Samarth family was gifted with acting potential as the actress under reference later proved. A former winner of the 1952 Miss India contest, Nutan went on to win hearts during her chequered career spanning over four decades starting with Amiya Chakravarty’s masterpiece “Seema”( 1955) featuring Balraj Sahni with “Andhera Hai Man Ka Diya to Jala Le Kahaan Jaa Raha Hai” & “Suno Choti Se Gudiya Ke YeNanhi Kahani” under the music score of SJK,penned by Shailendra to win her first Filmfare Best Actress Award.
I saw her “Shabaab” ( 1954) with my father, then four year old, at Firozepur with “Mehlon Mein Rahne Wale” & “Jeena Teri Gali Mein” rendered by Rafi & Lata respectively. It was followed by two more sizzlingly hits- “Paying Guest” ( 1957) starring Dev Anand “Chand Phir Nikla, Magar Tum Na Aaye” Lata Mangeshkar Maana Janab Ne Pukara Nahin” Kishore Kumar & “Anari” (1959) Hrishikesh Mukherjees’s maiden film as director starring Raj Kapoor & Lalita Pawar with the latter coming out with an unforgettable performance. It was again a musical hit with “Woh Chand Khila Woh Tare”, “Ban Ke Panchhi Gaaye Pyar Ka Tarana & “Tera Jaana Dil Ke Armano ka Lut Jana” to add grandeur to the film. “Kanhaiya” with “Ruk Jaa O Jaanevaali Ruk Jaa” by Mukesh & ” Ni Baliye Rut Hai Bahaar Ki, Kuchh Mat Puchho Kaise Bitin” rendered by Lata & Mukesh duo was another musical hit.
However, it was Bimal Roy’s “Sujata” featuring Sunil Dutt that added glory to her otherwise illustrious career. The film was well acclaimed with many hits like- “Jalte Hain Jiske Liye Teri Aankhon Ke Diye” by Talat Mahmood ,”Kaali Ghata Chhaye Mora Jiya Tarsaaye” & “Tum Jiyo Hazaaron Saal, Saal Ke Din Ho Pachaas Hazaar” both by Asha Bhosle & “Suno Mere Bandhu Re, Suno Mere Mitwa” in the voice of S. D. Burman were other mentionable numbers.The film’s success can be gauged by the fact that it won Filmfare Award in four categories viz. Best Movie & Direction (Bimal Roy), Best Actress Nutan & Best Story Subodh Ghosh. It was adjudged the third best film during the National Film Awards 1959. Nutan touched the pinnacle & glory of her acting genius under the stewardship of Bimal Roy & prompted many actresses to follow her in the later years .
Her other notable films include the likes of “Delhi Ka Thug”, “Dil He To Hai”, “Tere Ghar Ke Samne”,”Khandaan”, “Milan”, “Dulhan Ek Raat Ki “, “Karma”, “Naam”,”Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki” & not last but least “Saudagar”( 1973) starring Amitabh and Padma Khanna with both the actresses giving forth their best. Nutan’s younger sister Tanuja was also a known actress. Married to Navy Lt. Commander Rajnish Behl and blessed with an actor son Mohnish Behl. Nutan held the record for maximum award wins- five as Best Actress for 30 years until her niece Kajol, daughter of actress Tanuja, equalled it in 2011.
