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Saturday, February 21, 2026
TopicSmita Patil

Topic: Smita Patil

Shyam Benegal’s Bhumika is a raw portrait of a female film star’s turbulent life

In Bhumika, Usha chooses a life that does not align with societal expectations. And Shyam Benegal is not afraid to show her as a deeply flawed woman.

English is a very funny language—Bachchan gave the OG Bollywood monologue in ‘Namak Halaal’

While Bachchan has been rightly applauded for his dialogue delivery in ‘Namak Halaal’, the writer is not widely known—it was actor Kader Khan.

In Subah, Smita Patil’s character broke glass ceiling of what ambitious women can’t do

Smita Patil plays Savitri, a woman who is capable, intelligent and ambitious, but often finds herself caught up in the complications of family life.

Aakrosh, Om Puri’s masterclass in the art of silence, is especially powerful after Hathras

Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Amrish Puri and Smita Patil star in Govind Nihalani's 1980 directorial debut that explores caste politics and the oppression of Adivasis.

Smita Patil in Aakhir Kyon? is an example of how art and mainstream films aren’t so far apart

Directed by J. Om Prakash, the film, also starring Rajesh Khanna, Rakesh Roshan and Tina Munim, was one of Smita Patil's early forays into mainstream Hindi cinema.

Manthan ad from the 90s, with which Amul joins TV nostalgia trip after Ramayan, Mahabharat

Amul’s 1996 ad titled Manthan tells the story of India's White Revolution using footage from Smita Patil's iconic film of the same name.

Smita Patil’s portrayal of a flawed, messy actor in ‘Bhumika’ is fascinating and powerful

Based on memoir of Marathi actor Hansa Wadkar, Smita Patil's Bhumika, a film by Shyam Benegal, is a brutal & unflinching look at the life of a female movie star in Bombay.

Om Puri and Smita Patil’s Ardh Satya is the only police drama you need to watch

Unlike modern police dramas, this film gives a realistic look at the difficulty of being good in a broken system.

Smita Patil — the ‘real’ woman Indian women could relate to

Intelligent, talented, and strong, Smita Patil proved to be a shining star in an industry that shames darkness.

On Camera

Cautious optimism — India’s new relationship with Tarique Rahman’s Bangladesh

Both Bangladesh and India will have to work together to repair the damage done during the Yunus administration.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Embraer moves full throttle in pursuit of IAF contract, ties up with Hindalco after Adani

IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.

The new Great Game—Trump’s playing for time, China for leverage & India for wiggle room

This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.