Nutan Samarth Bahl, known mononymously as Nutan, was an Indian actress who worked in Hindi films. In a career spanning nearly four decades, she appeared in more than 70 films, mostly as a protagonist, in both big productions and arthouse films that ranged in genre from urban romances, literary adaptations, to psychological and socio-realist dramas. Regarded as one of the finest actors in the history of Indian cinema, Nutan was noted for her naturalistic acting style in parts of conflicted women often deemed unconventional. Her accolades include a record five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress and the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974.
Koyla is a 1997 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed, co-written and produced by Rakesh Roshan, which stars Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Amrish Puri in lead roles, while Johnny Lever, Ashok Saraf, Salim Ghouse, Deepshikha and Himani Shivpuri appear in supporting roles. Mohnish Bahl makes a special appearance in the film. The film was released worldwide on 18 April 1997 and was declared an average grosser at the box office, earning over ₹28.05 crore worldwide against a budget of ₹11.90 crore. Critics praised the action sequences performed by Khan, and it emerged as the 8th most successful film of 1997 in India. Some scenes of the film were shot in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. This is the third and final collaboration between Shah Rukh Khan and Rakesh Roshan, due to Rakesh's son Hrithik Roshan entering films and replacing Shah Rukh Khan in Rakesh's films. The film earned Puri a Best Villain at the 43rd Filmfare Awards.
Balraj Sahni was an Indian film and stage actor, who is best known for Dharti Ke Lal (1946), Do Bigha Zameen (1953), Chhoti Bahen (1959), Kabuliwala (1961) and Garam Hawa (1973). He was the brother of Bhisham Sahni, noted Hindi writer, playwright, and actor.
Saraswatichandra is a black-and-white Hindi film released in 1968. It starred Nutan and Manish among others and was directed by Govind Saraiya.
Waqt (transl. Time) is a 1965 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Yash Chopra, produced by B. R. Chopra and written by Akhtar Mirza and Akhtar-Ul-Iman. It made it onto the BFI's long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Sadhana Shivdasani, Sharmila Tagore, Balraj Sahni, Achala Sachdev, Rehman and Madan Puri in lead roles. It pioneered the concept of films with multiple stars, starting a trend followed by other films. The film took the top spot at the box office in 1965. The plot of this movie re-introduced the lost and reunite formula in Bollywood, originally featured in the 1943 Ashok Kumar, Mumtaz Shanti starrer Kismet (fate). A happy family separated by Waqt (time) goes through a series of trials trying to reunite. The film was later remade into the Telugu as Bhale Abbayilu (1969) and in Malayalam as Kolilakkam (1981).
Garm Hava is a 1973 Indian drama film directed by M. S. Sathyu, with Balraj Sahni as the lead. It was written by Kaifi Azmi and Shama Zaidi, based on an unpublished short story by noted Urdu writer Ismat Chughtai. The film score was given by the classical musician Ustad Bahadur Khan, with lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, it also featured a qawwali composed and performed by Aziz Ahmed Khan Warsi and his Warsi Brothers troupe.
Sujata is a 1959 Hindi language Bimal Roy film. It stars Nutan and Sunil Dutt in lead roles, supported by Shashikala, Lalita Pawar, Sulochana Latkar and Tarun Bose. Based on a Bengali short story of the same name by writer Subodh Ghosh, the film explored the situation of caste in India. The music is by S. D. Burman and the lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri. The film was highly praised by critics. It was entered into the 1960 Cannes Film Festival. The story, screenplay, music, and all the performances especially that of Nutan received high critical acclaim and even today, her performance in Sujata is considered to be one of the best by any female actress ever in the history of Hindi cinema.
Anupama (transl. Incomparable) is a 1966 Hindi film directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. The movie stars Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore, Shashikala, Deven Verma and Surekha Pandit. The music was composed by Hemant Kumar. At the 1966 National Film Awards it won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Pooja Ke Phool is a 1964 Indian Hindi-language movie. Produced by A. V. Meiyappan and directed by Bhimsingh, the film stars Ashok Kumar, Dharmendra, Mala Sinha, Nimmi, Sandhya Roy and Pran in pivotal roles. The film's music was composed by Madan Mohan. This is a remake of the Tamil film Kumudham.
Hamraaz (transl. Confidant) is a 1967 Indian Bollywood suspense thriller film, produced and directed by B. R. Chopra and written by Akhtar-Ul-Iman. It stars Raaj Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Vimi, Mumtaz in lead roles, with Balraj Sahni, Madan Puri, Jeevan, Iftekhar, Sarika in other important roles. The film's music is by Ravi, while the lyrics were penned by Sahir Ludhianvi. The film won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi.
Seema Bhargava Pahwa is an Indian actress known for her comedic characters in films and television. She rose to prominence for her role of Badki in the popular Doordarshan soap opera Hum Log (1984-1985). As a theatre actress, she worked with Delhi-based theatre group Sambhav, before moving to Mumbai in 1994 to work in films and continue her work in television and theatre. She has received several awards including two Filmfare Awards.
Mere Humsafar is a 1970 Hindi-language romance film, produced by Yusuf Teendarwajawala under the Labela Films banner and directed by Dulal Guha. It stars Jeetendra and Sharmila Tagore, with music composed by Kalyanji Anandji.
Judaai (transl. Separation) is a 1980 Indian Hindi-language drama film, produced by A.V. Subba Rao under the Prasad Art Pictures banner and directed by T. Rama Rao. The film stars Jeetendra and Rekha, with music composed by Laxmikant–Pyarelal. It is remake of the Telugu film Aalu Magalu (1977).
Duniya is a 1968 Indian Hindi-language romantic thriller film written by K. A. Narayan and directed by T. Prakash Rao. The film starred Dev Anand, Vyjayanthimala in the lead with Balraj Sahni, Johnny Walker, Lalita Pawar, Prem Chopra, Sulochana Latkar, Madan Puri, Nana Palsikar, Achala Sachdev, Laxmi Chhaya, Jagdish Raj, Tun Tun, Brahm Bhardwaj and Pakistani actor Suresh as the ensemble cast. The film was produced by Amarjeet. The film's score was composed by Shankar Jaikishan duo with lyrics provided by Hasrat Jaipuri, S. H. Bihari and Gopaldas Neeraj, edited by Shivaji Awdhut and was filmed by Faredoon A. Irani. The story revolves around three friends, how they face their problems in life, and how they recover from the problems in the rest of the story.
Intaqam (transl. Revenge) is a 1969 Bollywood thriller film directed by R. K. Nayyar. It starred Sanjay Khan and Sadhana in the lead, supported by Ashok Kumar, Rehman, Jeevan, Rajendra Nath, Helen and Anju Mahendru.
Kathputli (transl. Puppet) is a 1957 Pygmalion Black-and-white Hindi-language film produced by Ajit Chakraborty and Amiya Chakrabarty with their Sreerangam Productions. The film was the last film of director Amiya Chakrabarty, who had earlier directed Basant, Daag and Seema. He died during the filming and Nitin Bose took up the mantle of director in the film. The film stars Vyjayanthimala and Balraj Sahni in the lead with Jawahar Kaul, Agha, Kumari Kamala, C. S. Dubey, Sheela Kashmiri, Poonam and Laxman Rao, forming an ensemble cast. The film's music was composed by the Shankar Jaikishan duo, with the lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri.
Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan is a 1961 Hindi film, a family drama directed by Sadashiv J. Row Kavi with Meena Kumari and Balraj Sahni in the lead roles. It is a remake of 1953 Marathi film Vahinichya Bangdya, which was also remade in Telugu as Vadina Gari Gaajulu (1956) and in Tamil as Mangaiyar Thilakam (1955).
Anubhava (transl. Experience) is a 1984 Indian Kannada-language drama film starring Kashinath and Abhinaya. Actresses Abhinaya and Umashree made their debut with this film. The film is directed, co-produced and written by Kashinath and produced under Sri Gayatri Productions banner. It was remade in Hindi twice - first in 1986 as Anubhav starring Shekhar Suman directed by Kashinath himself and second as Chadti Jawaani. The film was dubbed in Malayalam as Aadhyate Anubhavam and in Telugu as Anubhavam. Sunil Kumar Desai worked as an assistant to Kashinath on this movie.
Bindya is a 1960 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Krishnan–Panju and produced by M. Saravanan. It is a remake of the Tamil film Deivapiravi, released early the same year. The film stars Balraj Sahni, Padmini and Jagdeep. It was released on 29 December 1960, and failed to replicate the success of the Tamil original.
Hum Log is a 1951 Indian Hindi social realist film written and directed by Zia Sarhadi. Dealing with the trials and tribulations of a middle-class family, the film stars Nutan, Shyama, Durga Khote, Balraj Sahni and Sajjan in lead roles. Nutan earned positive notice for her portrayal of a tuberculosis patient and so did Sahni who played her brother. The film was a commercial success and established Nutan as a rising star in the film industry.
