Tanuja Samarth popularly known as Tanuja, was born on September 23, 1943. She was born into a Marathi family and is the mother of Indian actresses Kajol and Tanisha and the former wife of Shomu Mukherjee. Tanuja was born in Mumbai 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 got separated, when she was very young. Tanuja got married to director Shomu Mukherjee in the year 1973 but later they got divorced. In the year 2008, on 10th April Shomu Mukherjee died of cardiac attack.

Tanuja`s Film Career
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). 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.

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.

Awards and Honours to Tanuja
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 she got divorced.

Filmography of Tanuja Samarth

Year	Films
1986	Jaal, Love 86, Mohabbat Ki Kasam, Nasihat, Suhaagan, Adhikar, Anokha Rishta, Ek Aur Sikander
1985	Lover Boy, Zabardast, Ghar Dwaar
1984	Boxer, Kunwari Bahu, Mati Maange Khoon, Nadaniyan, Pet Pyar Aur Paap, Sohni Mahiwal
1983	Pyaas, Ek Jaan Hain Hum
1982	Prem Rog, Rustom, Bahu Ho To Aisi, Johny I Love You, Kaamchor
1981	Yaarana, Commander
1980	Bandish, Bin Maa Ke Bachchey
1978	Lal Kothi
1975	Aaja Sanam
1974	Hum Shakal, Humrahi, Imtihaan, Amir Garib
1972	Mere Jeevan Saathi, Mome Ki Gudiya, Insaaf, Nannha Shikari, Do Chor
1971	Door Ka Rahi, Ek Paheli, Ek Thi Reeta, Haathi Mere Saathi, Preet Ki Dori,Purani Pehchan, Pyar Ki Kahani,Anubhav
1970	Bachpan, Pavitra Papi, Priya
1969	Ek Masoom, Gustakhi Maaf, Jeene Ki Raah, Jiyo Aur Jeene Do, Paisa Ya Pyar
1968	Do Doni Char, Izzat, Juari, Sapno Ka Saudagar
1967	Wahan Ke Log, Jewel Thief, Nai Roshni
1966	Baharen Phir Bhi Ayengi, Sannata
1965	Bhoot Bungla, Chand Aur Suraj, Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal
1964	Benazir
1963	Aaj Aur Kal
1961	Hamari Yaad Aayegi, Mem Didi
1960	Chhabili
1952	Amber
1950	Hamari Beti

Tanuja`s recent films

Year	Film
2010	Toonpur Ka Superhero
2008	Hale Dil
2004	Mukti, Bhoot
2003	Deewaar, Rules (Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula)
2002	Paandav
2000	Khakee
1999	Saathiya
1998	Safari
1996	Bhai No.1
1995	Antim Nyay
1994	Aatish, Muqadama
1993	Izzat Ki Roti, Jawahar
1992	I Love You, Bekhudi, Abhi Abhi, Ek Ladka Ek Ladki, Aag
1991	Pyar Bhara Dil, Gajab Tamasha
1990	Dushman
1989	Swami Vivekanand, Taaqatwar, Gawaahi, Gharana, Meri Zabaan, Parayaa Ghar
1988	Rakhwala, Agnee, Paap Ko Jalaa Kar Raakh Kar Doonga, Mera Muqaddar
1987	Mera Suhag, Diljala, Ghar Ka Sukh, Itihaas, Maa Beti