Tanuja Samarth popularly known as Tanuja, was born on September 23, 1943. She is the mother of Indian actresses Kajol and Tanisha and the former wife of Shomu Mukherjee. Tanuja was born in Bombay to Kumarsen Samarth and Shobhna Samarth. She had four siblings. Her father Kumarsen Samarth was a poet and film director and his wife Shobhna Samarth was a famous actress during the 1930s and 1940s. Her parents separated, when she was very young.
Tanuja entered films as a child actress and continued to work until 1973. She met director Shomu Mukherjee, the youngest son of producer Sashadhar Mukherjee on the set of Ek Baar Muskara Do (1972). After a phase of whirlwind romance, they got married in 1973. They had two daughters, Kajol Mukherjee (b. 1975) and Tanisha Mukherjee (b. 1978). They divorced each other later. Shomu Mukherjee died of cardiac attack on 10th April, 2008.
Tanuja started her film career with her older sister Nutan in the film Hamari Beti (1950) as Baby Tanuja. As an adult actress, she debuted in the film Chhabili (1960) that was directed by her mother. Her other films includes Baharein Phir Bhi Aayengi. Her film career was on the climax through the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. After the success of Haathi Mere Saathi (1971), she acted in films like Mere Jeevan Saathi, Do Chor and Ek Baar Muskara Do (1972). Pavitra Paapi, Anubhav, Jeene Ki Raah, Bhoot Bangla and others are some of the other films she acted in.
During the mid 60`s Tanuja was a popular actress in Bengali movies too. She started with the film Deya Neya (1963) where she was paired opposite the stalwart of Bengali cinema, Uttam Kumar. She acted in many more memorable hit films like Anthony-Firingee (1967) and Rajkumari (1970). Tanuja had fantastic on-screen chemistry with the then hero Soumitra Chatterjee with whom she made box office hits like Teen Bhuvaner Parey (1969), Prothom Kadam Phool and others. Tanuja spoke her own script in these Bengali films. In 2008, Tanuja came on small screen as a judge along with Kajol and Ajay Devgan on Zee TV`s family dance series Rock and Roll Family.
Tanuja received Filmfare nomination as Best Supporting Actress for Jewel Thief in 1967 and Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award for paisa ya pyar in1969. Eventually, Tanuja retired from films for a number of years, but came back into films after her divorce.
Filmography of Tanuja Samarth
| Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972) |
Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi (1966) |
Kunwari Bahu (1984) |
| Mome Ki Gudiya (1972) |
Sannata (1966) |
Mati Maange Khoon (1984) |
| Door Ka Rahi (1971) |
Bhoot Bungla (1965) |
Nadaniyan (1984) |
| Ek Paheli (1971) |
Chand Aur Suraj (1965) |
Pet Pyar Aur Paap (1984) |
| Ek Thi Reeta (1971) |
Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal (1965) |
Sohni Mahiwal (1984) |
| Haathi Mere Saathi (1971) |
Benazir (1964) |
Pyaas (1983) |
| Preet Ki Dori (1971) |
Aaj Aur Kal (1963) |
Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983) |
| Purani Pehchan (1971) |
Hamari Yaad Aayegi (1961) |
Prem Rog (1982) |
| Pyar Ki Kahani (1971) |
Mem Didi (1961) |
Rustom (1982) |
| Anubhav (1971) |
Chhabili (1960) |
Bahu Ho To Aisi (1982) |
| Bachpan (1970) |
Amber (1952) |
Johny I Love You (1982) |
| Pavitra Papi (1970) |
Hamari Beti (1950) |
Kaamchor (1982) |
| Priya (1970) |
Jaal (1986) |
Yaarana (1981) |
| Ek Masoom (1969) |
Love 86 (1986) |
Commander (1981) |
| Gustakhi Maaf (1969) |
Mohabbat Ki Kasam (1986) |
Bandish (1980) |
| Jeene Ki Raah (1969) |
Nasihat (1986) |
Bin Maa Ke Bachchey (1980) |
| Jiyo Aur Jeene Do (1969) |
Suhaagan (1986) |
Lal Kothi (1978) |
| Paisa Ya Pyar (1969) |
Adhikar (1986) |
Aaja Sanam (1975) |
| Do Doni Char (1968) |
Anokha Rishta (1986) |
Hum Shakal (1974) |
| Izzat (1968) |
Ek Aur Sikander (1986) |
Humrahi (1974) |
| Juari (1968) |
Lover Boy (1985) |
Imtihaan (1974) |
| Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968) |
Zabardast (1985) |
Amir Garib (1974) |
| Wahan Ke Log (1967) |
Ghar Dwaar (1985) |
Insaaf (1973) |
| Jewel Thief (1967) |
Yaadgaar (1984) |
Nannha Shikari (1973) |
| Nai Roshni (1967) |
Boxer (1984) |
Do Chor (1972) |
Tanuja`s recent films
| Film |
Year |
Film |
Year |
| Hale Dil (film) |
2008 |
I Love You |
1992 |
| Mukti (film) |
2008 |
Bekhudi |
1992 |
| Deewaar |
2004 |
Aatish |
1994 |
| Rules (Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula) |
2003 |
Izzat Ki Roti |
1993 |
| Bhoot |
2003 |
Abhi Abhi |
1992 |
| Khakee |
2004 |
Ek Ladka Ek Ladki |
1992 |
| Bhai No.1 |
2000 |
Pyar Bhara Dil |
1991 |
| Muqadama |
1996 |
Dushman |
1990 |
| Aag |
1994 |
Gawaahi |
1989 |
| Gajab Tamasha |
1992 |
Gharana |
1989 |
| Jawahar |
1991 |
Meri Zabaan |
1989 |
| Antim Nyay |
1993 |
Parayaa Ghar |
1989 |
| Paandav |
1995 |
Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga |
1988 |
| Saathiya |
2002 |
Mera Muqaddar |
1988 |
| Safari |
1999 |
Mera Suhag |
1987 |
| Swami Vivekanand |
1998 |
Diljala |
1987 |
| Taaqatwar |
1989 |
Ghar Ka Sukh |
1987 |
| Rakhwala |
1989 |
Itihaas |
1987 |
| Agnee |
1988 |
Maa Beti |
1987 |
