After focusing on parallel cinema in the early part of her career, Smita Patil ventured into commercial films too, and maintained a balance between the two forms. Naturally, a list of songs picturised on her will contain a mix of both streams.
We choose 10 such songs to mark her 66th birth anniversary on October 17. Smita, who passed away in 1986 at the age of 31, had a number of marvellous performances to her credit. Besides Hindi films, she acted in regional cinema, including Jait Re Jait and Umbartha in Marathi, Bhavni Bhavai in Gujarati and Chidambaram in Malayalam.
Here, we stick to Smita’s Hindi films. The order is chronological.
1 Mero Gaam Katha Parey – Manthan (1976)
Vanraj Bhatia composed this evergreen hit sung by Preeti Sagar, who won a National Award. The song became the theme for Amul milk. Preeti’s sister Niti wrote the lyrics blending different dialects. The song had fast and slow versions. Smita made a brief appearance with Girish Karnad in the lead.
2 Tumhare Bin Jee Na Lage – Bhumika (1977)
Smita Patil did a dance while shooting for a film in this scene. Preeti Sagar sang Bhatia’s composition. Majrooh Sultanpuri’s opening line was, “Tumhare bin jee na lage ghar mein, balamji tumse milake akhiyaan”. Anant Nag was the co-star. The song had a break to show how choreographers guide the cast.
3 Aapki Yaad Aati Rahi – Gaman (1978)
Chhaya Ganguli’s voice suited Smita perfectly in this song composed by Jaidev. Farooque Shaikh also appeared on screen. Makhdoom Mohiuddin wrote the lines, “Aapki yaad aati rahi raat bhar, chashme-nam muskurati rahi raat bhar”. The song made wonderful use of sarod, bansuri and duff.
4 Aaj Rapat Jaaye – Namak Halaal (1981)
This was one of Smita’s commercial hits, shot with Amitabh Bachchan in the rain on Mumbai’s streets. Sung by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, it was composed by Bappi Lahiri with lyricist Anjaan beginning, “Aaj rapat jaaye toh hamein na uthaiyo”. Smita also made a brief appearance in ‘Ke Pag Ghungroo’, filmed mainly on Amitabh.
5 Karoge Yaad Toh – Bazaar (1982)
Though Smita didn’t lip-sync on this song, she had good screen space with Naseeruddin Shah, whose lines were sung by Bhupinder. Khayyam gave the music and Bashar Nawaz wrote, “Karoge yaad toh har baat yaad aayegi, guzarte waqt ki har mauj thahar jaayegi”. It was an outdoor song.
6 Humne Sanam Ko Khat Likha – Shakti (1982)
Though the Kishore Kumar-Lata Mangeshkar duet ‘Jaane Kaise Kab Kahaan’ was more popular, this song also gained admiration for Anand Bakshi’s lyrics, which talked of sending a letter to a lover. Smita danced in a restaurant with Amitabh in the audience. Sung by Lata, it was composed by R.D. Burman
7 Janam Janam Ka Saath – Bheegi Palkein (1982)
One of Mohammed Rafi’s last recordings, this duet with Lata was filmed on Raj Babbar and Smita in an outdoor shoot. Music was by the lesser-known Jugal Kishore and Tilak Raj whose style was very Laxmikant-Pyarelal. Lyricists Sisir Mishra and Kartik Rath wrote, “Janam janam ka saath hai tumhara hamara, tumhara hamara, agar na milte is jeevan mein lete janam tumhara”. The song was a huge radio hit.
8 Zabaane Badalte Hain – Mandi (1983)
This was another beauty composed by Vanraj Bhatia, set in mujra style and filmed on Smita, with Saeed Jaffrey and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in the audience. Asha Bhosle sang it wonderfully, and the words were by the great poet Mir Taqi Mir, who wrote, “Zabaane badalte hain, har aan qubaan, aar aan qubaan, yeh sab kuch hain bigadey zamaane ki baatein”.
9 Dushman Na Kare Dost – Aakhir Kyon (1985)
Indeevar wrote the lines “Dushman na kare dost ne woh kaam kiya hai, umr bhar ka gham hamein inaam diya hai”. The song was filmed in a garden scene featuring Smita, Rajesh Khanna and Rakesh Roshan. Lata and Amit Kumar sang the tune composed by Rajesh Roshan.
10 Husn Ki Waadiyon Mein – Waaris (1988)
Uttam Singh and Jagdish Sodhi composed this song sung by Kishore and Lata. It was shot in open fields and featured Raj Kiran and Smita. Verma Malik wrote the lines, “Husn ki waadiyon mein ishq palta rahega, jab tak rahegi yeh duniya, pyaar hota rahega”. The film was released after Smita passed away.
Whether it was parallel or commercial cinema, Smita’s acting had a certain class. Like Shabana Azmi, her co-star in Mahesh Bhatt’s Arth, she straddled both worlds with ease. Smita’s untimely demise was a huge loss for Indian cinema.
