Smita Patil

Smita Patil (17 October 1955 – 13 December 1986) was an Indian film and theatre actress who primarily worked in Hindi and Marathi films. Regarded among the finest and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema, Patil appeared in over 80 films, in a career that spanned over a decade. Patil was the recipient of two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, a Maharashtra State Film Award, two Filmfare Awards Marathi. She received the Padma Shri, India's fourth-highest civilian honour in 1985.

Patil made her film debut with Shyam Benegal's ''Charandas Chor'' (1975). She became one of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, a New Wave movement in India cinema, though she also appeared in several mainstream movies throughout her career. Her performances were highly acclaimed, and her most notable roles include ''Manthan'' (1976), ''Bhumika'' (1977) for which she won her first National Film Award for Best Actress, ''Jait Re Jait'' (1978), ''Aakrosh'' (1980), ''Chakra'' (1981) which earned her a second National Film Award for Best Actress and her first and only Filmfare Award for Best Actress, ''Namak Halaal'' (1982), ''Bazaar'' (1982), ''Umbartha'' (1982), ''Shakti'' (1982), ''Arth'' (1982), ''Ardh Satya'' (1983), ''Mandi'' (1983), ''Aaj Ki Awaaz'' (1984), ''Chidambaram'' (1985), ''Mirch Masala'' (1985), ''Amrit'' (1986), ''Dance Dance'' (1987) and ''Waaris'' (1988).

Apart from acting, Patil was an active feminist and a member of the Women's Centre in Mumbai. She was deeply committed to the advancement of women's issues and gave her endorsement to films which sought to explore the role of women in traditional Indian society, their sexuality, and the changes facing the middle-class woman in an urban milieu.

Patil was married to actor Raj Babbar. She died on 13 December 1986 at the age of 31 due to childbirth complications. Over ten of her films were released after her death. Her son Prateik Babbar is a film actor who made his debut in 2008. Provided by Wikipedia