36 Facts About Nutan

Nutan Samarth-Bahl, known mononymously as Nutan was an Indian actress who worked primarily in Hindi films.

Nutan was the recipient of six Filmfare Awards, including a record five Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

In 1974, Nutan received the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian award.

Nutan subsequently starred in the films Nagina and Hum Log.

Nutan continued playing leading roles through the 1960s until the late 1970s and went onto win the award on four other occasions for her roles in Sujata, Bandini, Milan and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki.

Nutan was married to naval Lieutenant-Commander Rajnish Bahl from 1959 until her death from breast cancer in 1991.

Nutan Samarth-Bahl was born on 4 June 1936 in Bombay into a Marathi Hindu family as the eldest of four children to director-poet Kumarsen Samarth and his actress wife and filmmaker Shobhna.

Nutan grew up with complexes as she was considered too skinny in her childhood.

Nutan had two sisters: actress Tanuja and Chatura and a brother Jaideep.

Nutan took lessons in classical music for four years under Jagannath Prasad.

Nutan was sent there at the behest of her mother following Nutan's intensive work in films and major weight loss.

Nutan described the one year spent there as the happiest in her life and returned home a year later having gained 22 pounds.

Nutan first appeared briefly in front of the camera as a child in her father's film Nal Damyanti in 1945.

Nutan started her career at age 14 by playing the protagonist in Hamari Beti, directed by her mother.

Nutan was conflicted during the making of the film, unsure she could pull it off given how critical she was of her appearance and talents.

Nutan took part in Snehal Bhatkar's soundtrack for the film, singing the song "Tujhe Kaisa Dulha Bhaaye Re".

Nutan followed her success with a romantic comedy, Paying Guest, in which she co-starred with Dev Anand.

Nutan's genius lay in portraying a whole range of emotions without resorting to over-the-top histrionics.

Bandini was a major critical success, and Nutan received career-best reviews for her portrayal, which is often cited as one of the finest performances of Indian cinema.

Nutan recognised and was perfectly in tandem with Kalyani's innate strength of character.

Nutan starred opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 1973's Saudagar, for which she received a sixth Filmfare nomination and a third BFJA award.

Nutan thus became a record holder in the category, having won five awards for Best Actress at Filmfare.

Nutan was perhaps the only actress of her generation to command leading roles in her 40s, with tremendous success.

Nutan gave a stellar performance as Kaliganj Ki Bahu in the TV serial Mujrim Hazir, her only role on the small screen.

Nutan sang two songs, one in Paying Guest and the other in Chhabili.

Nutan married Indian Navy's Lieutenant-Commander Rajnish Bahl on 11 October 1959.

Nutan's husband died from a fire accident in his apartment in 2004.

Nutan was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in 1990.

Nutan is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema.

Nutan was noted for her willingness to play unconventional roles and several of her roles were labelled "path-breaking".

In 2012, Nutan was placed 10th by NDTV in its "The Most Popular Actress of All Time" list.

Nutan looks maddened with grief and hatred when she does the acts most foul.

Nutan was low key and mellow as she was peppery and sarcastic and yet made a strong impact.

Nutan either played the main part or at least shared equal footing with the male counterpart.

Nutan's biography was launched by actress Madhuri Dixit in 2016.

In February 2011, a postage stamp, bearing Nutan's photo, was released to honour her by the Government of India.