Hindi cinema has witnessed many legendary actresses who gave one hit after another and created an unforgettable legacy. Among them, Nutan remains irreplaceable even today. Celebrating her 88th birth anniversary on June 4, we remember this evergreen star, who was also the aunt of Bollywood actress Kajol. Nutan’s life and career are truly inspiring and worth revisiting on this special occasion.
Bollywood’s Film Family
Born on June 4, 1936, in Mumbai, Nutan came from a family deeply rooted in the film industry. Her mother, Shobhana Samarth, and father, Kumarsen Samarth, were part of the film world. Nutan’s younger sister, Tanuja, also became a well-known actress and is Kajol’s mother, making Nutan Kajol’s aunt. With such a rich film background, Nutan carved her own niche in Bollywood.
Nutan’s Journey: From Child Artist to Superstar
Nutan began her career as a child actress in her father’s film Naal Damyanti (1945). At 14, she appeared in Hamari Beti (1950), directed by her mother. Her debut as a lead actress came with Seema (1955) at the age of 19, a film that became a superhit and marked the start of her golden era. Here are five of her most powerful and unforgettable films:
1. Anari (1959)
Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and produced by LB Laxman, Anari featured Nutan opposite Raj Kapoor. The film’s soulful songs, especially “Kisi Ki Muskuraton Par Ho Nisaar”, remain timeless. This superhit film is a must-watch classic and is available to watch free on YouTube.
2. Bandini (1963)
A film by the legendary Bimal Roy, Bandini starred Nutan alongside Dharmendra and Ashok Kumar. Nutan’s character drives the emotionally rich story, making it a semi-hit of its time. The movie is available to watch on Zee Music’s YouTube channel.
3. Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978)
Directed and produced by Raj Khosla, this film showed Nutan in a memorable role alongside Asha Parekh, Vinod Khanna, and Vijay Anand. Centered around motherhood and family drama, this superhit movie can be streamed on Amazon Prime Video.
4. Milan (1967)
Directed by Adurthi Subba Rao and produced by LV Prasad, Milan starred Nutan with Sunil Dutt. The film is known for its melodious songs like “Sawan Ka Mahina” which remain evergreen. This hit film is available on Amazon Prime Video.
5. Karma (1986)
A Subhash Ghai production, Karma featured the legendary duo of Dilip Kumar and Nutan. Along with stars like Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Anil Kapoor, and Sridevi, Nutan delivered a memorable performance in this superhit film. It is also available on Amazon Prime Video, with its songs still loved by fans.
Nutan’s films are timeless gems that showcase her versatility and grace. If you haven’t watched these masterpieces yet, don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of this Bollywood legend.
