Nutan Family Tree: The Story Behind Bollywood's Actresses' Actress

Nutan Samarth-Behl (1936–1991), born 4 June 1936 in Bombay, British India, and died 21 February 1991 in Mumbai, was Bollywood's most-critically-acclaimed actress of the 1950s-60s — 5 Filmfare Best Actress Awards (record at time until Kajol equalled); iconic in Seema (1955), Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967), Anari (1959), Saraswatichandra (1968), Meri Jung (1985); Padma Shri (1974).

The Family's Roots: The Samarth Cinema Family

Family produced multiple Bollywood generations.

Her Parents

Father: Kumarsen Samarth — filmmaker.

Mother: Shobhna Samarth (1916–2000) — leading Bollywood actress of 1940s (Ram Rajya 1943).

Her Siblings

Tanuja Samarth, born 23 September 1943 — sister; actress (Bahaaren Phir Bhi Aayengi, Jewel Thief, Anubhav, Do Chor); mother of actress Kajol and Tanishaa Mukerji.

Chatura Samarth — sister.

Jaideep Samarth — brother.

Her Husband: Rajnish Behl

Lt. Cdr. Rajnish Bahl (Behl) — Indian Navy officer. Married Nutan on 11 October 1959.

Their Son

Mohnish Behl, born 11 August 1961 — son; Bollywood actor (Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Koun..!).

The Samarth Family Tree at a Glance

Father: Kumarsen Samarth — filmmaker.

Mother: Shobhna Samarth (1916–2000) — actress.

Siblings: Tanuja Samarth (b. 23 September 1943) — actress; Chatura; Jaideep.

Husband: Rajnish Behl (m. 11 October 1959) — Navy officer.

Son: Mohnish Behl (b. 11 August 1961) — Bollywood actor.

Nieces (via Tanuja): Kajol (b. 5 August 1974); Tanishaa Mukerji (b. 3 November 1978).

Nutan:

  • Born 4 June 1936, Bombay
  • Film debut: 1950 (Hamari Beti) as a teenager
  • Miss India 1952
  • 5 Filmfare Best Actress: 1957 (Seema), 1959 (Sujata), 1964 (Bandini), 1979 (Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki), 1986 (Meri Jung)
  • 72+ films
  • Padma Shri: 1974
  • Died: 21 February 1991, Mumbai — breast cancer at 54

What the Samarth Family Story Teaches Us

A filmmaker father. A leading-1940s-actress mother. Three siblings — one a Bollywood actress (Tanuja). A Navy-officer husband. A son who became a Bollywood actor. Two nieces (Kajol, Tanishaa) who became actresses. A career that produced 5 Best Actress Filmfares — a record for the time.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Nutan story carries the same lesson. Some families produce actors across 4 generations.

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