The petite beauty of Nutan and her calibre for delivering good performances established as one of the greatest actresses in Bollywood. Nutan created a new identity for herself by being a thinking actress. Her expressive eyes, mesmerizing voice and graceful appearance made her look amazing on screen. Nutan`s spontaneity on screen made her a favourite star of the audiences. Nutan did not require dialogues to convey emotions. She could express them through her eyes.
Nutan was the eldest daughter of the popular actress Shobhana Samarth. Nutan was often termed as skinny and ugly. But her mother remained undeterred by this and launched her in Hamari Beti (1950). The films that followed it were Hum Log (1951) and Nagina (1951). Although these films increased her popularity but the film that established her as the undisputed queen of Hindi films is Seema (1955). She enacted the role of criminal residing in a reform home. This role won her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress. Another film for which Nutan will always be remembered is Sujata (1959). She starred opposite Sunil Dutt in this Bimal Roy flick. Who can forget the song `Jalte Hain Jis ke Liye` where all Nutan does is expressing her emotions without a single dialogue! Her performance in Sujata as a lower caste girl was simply brilliant.
Apart from these serious films Nutan took the audiences and critics simply by surprise when she acted in films like Paying Guest (1957), Dilli ka Thug (1958), Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1963) and others. In 1959 Nutan married Naval Lieutenant Commander Rajneesh Behl and went into hibernation with the birth of her son, Mohnish. However she made a superb comeback with Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1963) and once again proved herself a matchless and intense performer with Bimal Roy`s Bandini (1963). Even today her performance is hailed as one of the greatest performances in Indian cinema. The plot of Bandini revolves around a female prisoner who has been charged with the murder of her lover`s wife. The myriad of emotions that passes through her mind are simply expressed by the actress; without any melodrama. It is a treat to watch an artiste par excellence in complex and difficult role such as this.
In the 1960s and 70s she paired up with Sumnil Dutt once again to deliver some of the finest Indian movies: Khaandaan, Meherbaan and Milan (1967).
Nutan had entertained and captivated the hearts of the masses with her films for over three decades. At a later stage of her career she shifted character roles, especially, t6hat of a mother. Nutan died of cancer in 1991 leaving a void behind her that was never to be filled.
Nutan is the only actress who bagged Filmfare Best Actress Award 5 times in her entire career.
Filmfare Awards:
1956 - Best Actress Award for Seema
1959 - Best Actress Award for Sujata
1963 - Best Actress Award for Bandini
1967 - Best Actress Award for Milan
1978 - Best Actress Award for Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki
1985 - Best Supporting Actress Award for Meri Jung
The films in which Nutan appeared are as follows:
| Kanoon Apna Apna (1989) |
Bhai Bahen (1969) |
Manzil (1960) |
Heer (1956) |
| Sone pe Suhaaga (1988) |
Saraswatichandra (1968) |
Anari (1959) |
Seema (1955) |
| Karma (1986) |
Gauri (1968) |
Sujata (1959) |
Shabab (1954) |
| Naam (1986) |
Milan (1967) |
Kanhaiya (1959) |
Aagosh (1953) |
| Meri Jung (1985) |
Latt Saheb (1967) |
Sone ki Chidiya (1958) |
Laila Majnu (1953) |
| Yudh (1985) |
Dil ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966) |
Chandan (1958) |
Malkin (1953) |
| Rishta Kagaz ka (1983) |
Dulhan Ek Raat ki (1966) |
Light House (1958) |
Parbat (1952) |
| Main Tulsi Tere Aangan ki (1978) |
Dil Hi To Hai (1963) |
Zindagi ya Toofan (1958) |
Shisham (1952) |
| Saudagar (1973) |
Tere Ghar ke Saamne (1963) |
Akhri Dao (1958) |
Hungama (1952) |
| Grahan (1972) |
Bandini (1963) |
Kabhi Andhera Kabhi Ujala (1958) |
Nagina (1951) |
| Anuraag (1972) |
Soorat Aur Seerat (1962) |
Dilli ka Thug (1958) |
Hum Log (1951) |
| Yaadgar (1970) |
Basant (1960) |
Paying Guest (1957) |
Humari Beti (1950) |
| Maharaja (1970) |
Chhalia (1960) |
Baarish (1957) |
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