Nutan’s ethereal presence in ‘Aakhri Daav’s’ soulful track lingers in Bollywood lore, but behind the glamour lay a battle against self-image woes. Ahead of her death anniversary on February 21, this feature uncovers how the actress, armed with her mother’s faith, dismantled barriers to claim her throne in Hindi cinema.
Hailing from a cinematic dynasty, Nutan faced an uphill start. Relatives mocked her dusky complexion and features, with one of her mother’s friends declaring her ‘ugly’. This early wound haunted her ambitions. In a candid revelation, Nutan recalled believing she could never match industry beauty standards.
Shobhna Samarth turned critic into catalyst. She reframed insults as motivation, prophesying Nutan’s glow-up. Strategic moves followed: international schooling for sophistication, weight loss regimens, and a custom film launch. Child appearances in ‘Nal Damayanti’ and ‘Nagina’ hinted at potential, earning familial applause.
The dream role of Anarkali arrived at 14 via ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, rejected due to lingering fears. Nutan pivoted wisely, pursuing acting mastery abroad. Her 1955 ‘Seema’ revival exploded into classics like ‘Bandini’, ‘Rishte Naate’, showcasing raw emotion and elegance. Four Filmfare Best Actress trophies validated her prowess over 40 active years.
Beyond awards, Nutan redefined stardom with grounded authenticity amid tinsel town’s glitz. Her triumph over ‘ugly duckling’ narratives proves perseverance trumps prejudice. As admirers honor her memory, Nutan’s saga endures as a beacon for aspiring talents navigating doubt.