Smita Patil: A Brief Incandescence

by Maithili Rao

In the three decades since Smita Patil died-at the impossibly young age of thirty-one-she has unwaveringly been one of Indian cinema's biggest icons. That is unusual enough for a 'parallel cinema' actor, rendered more remarkable in a career that spanned a mere ten years. Patil, one of the leading lights of the New Indian Cinema of the mid-1970s, has a body of work that would make veterans proud.

Smita A Brief Incandescence tells her remarkable story, tracing it from her childhood to stardom, controversial marriage and untimely death. Her close friends remember 'Smi' as outspoken and bindaas, not beyond hurling abuses or taking off on bikes for impromptu joyrides. Film-makers like Shyam Benegal and Jabbar Patel, and co-stars Om Puri and Shabana Azmi talk about Patil's dedication to her craft and her intuitive pursuit of that perfect take. From the difficult equation she shared with her mother to her propensity for 'wrong' relationships, about which she was always open unlike other stars of the time, this is a complex and honest exploration of Patil's life.

The book also includes a sharp critique of the films that defined her. They read like a roster of the best of New Indian Bhumika, Mandi, Manthan, Umbartha, Bhavni Bhavai, Akaler Sandhane, Chakra, Chidambaram and Mirch Masala among them. Maithili Rao also examines Patil's many unfortunate forays into mainstream commercial cinema.

Incisive and insightful, Smita A Brief Incandescence is an invaluable addition to film studies in India, bringing alive an entire era when cinema in India was truly different. It is also the definitive biography of a rare talent and a haunting life.

368 pages, Paperback

Published September 13, 2016

Reviews

[Neena · Rating 4 out of 5]

the story of an actress who was know for her realistic roles

[Rupin Chaudhry · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of an actor who established new verticals in terms of intensity and commitment to the role, positive or negative. The standards set by her in a very brief career are unattainable by an actor present or future. There can be no one like her. The book has done full revival of her critically acclaimed movies from the art cinema as well has mainstream commercial cinema.
As a real person she was earthly, warm, sincere, caring and sensitive but the anecdotes from the books also shed light on her contradictory attributes viz. being possessive and generous, fun loving and moody, impulsive and pragmatic, ambitious yet unworldly. All in all she was a lady with whom anybody could fall in love...even the higher powers loved her so much that they called her up very early. One wonders what would she be doing if she were still alive ...still working with Shabana Azmi, Waheeda Rehman, Naseeruddin Shah and Amitabh Bachan.

A big thanks to the author and big thanks to youtube for posting her greatest works in the form of Manthan, Mandi, Subah, Mirch Masaala and more.

[Anjali · Rating 2 out of 5]

This isn't a biography of Smita Patil; it's of her films. There is hardly any insight into her life, while each film is dissected in interminable detail. Descriptions of Smita are repetitive and gushy; and the almost everyone contains thr word 'dusky'. Aargh. Why is that such a big deal? Why dusky beauty? Just beauty will do. Overall, disappointing and frustrating at being left stranded in the quest to know more about this peerless actress. ( Am still suffering from florid sentenc-itis)

[Antara Vaknalli · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book seems more like an autobiography written to acquaint the reader about the actress. The writing is more of detailed sketch of the actress she was and some excerpts from her colleagues in the industry. What is missing is her life from first person point of view. The media and the men who have never accepted her for the phenomenal woman she was.

[Mansee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smita Patil s professional life especially description of films she has worked in is awesome...but what I missed reading is a little bit of her personal life especially her relationship with Raj babbar. just curious to know how was it so important that she surpassed her mom's wrath and also from few of her fellow colleague's and journalists.

[Sambasivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read a biography of a bollywood actress after a very long time. This one is not your typical chronological story but actually a motley collection of anecdotes as well as an intelligent review of a few offbeat movies in which Smita stamped her authority as a consummate thespian. She wielded her repertoire of skills with considerable ease and relied more on intuitive acting rather than method acting. Winner of two national awards, her life came to an abrupt end and it is a great loss to the industry.

Well written book and recommended for fans of Smita Patil.

[Arnav Sinha · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a hagiography than an honest biography. Skips the most controversial aspect of her life - the relationship with Raj Babbar (and Vinod Khanna). Which probably can be justified by the excuse given that she is not around to give her side of the story.

Could have used a better editor and/or proof-reader.

Worth reading mainly for the info on some great movies from parallel cinema and some of the tributes at the end of the book.

[Indu]

Her charisma has in fact been summed up in various ways in the introduction itself. “She was Indian cinema’s Everywoman.” “Smita’s face fascinates; she has an earthy look that could belong to any part of India.” “She was indubitably the Pole Star of parallel cinema.” Her death left a pall of gloom among well-wishers. Satyajit Ray announced: “There is really no one to replace her.”

The legend lives on.

[Asha]

This book very certainly has a special place on my bookshelf, some very interesting facts about this amazing and well crafted actress. Her personal life indeed does not need to be discussed in this book. It is a slow read but one generally does catch up. As I was reading the words I could picture a person.

[Ipsita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Smita Patil's journey was very close to home, coming almost from the same background geographically and socio-politically! Her early death I feel was a huge loss to the field of films and arts, but her work and life is a huge inspiration :)

I wish the book had more about her personal life than just her work.

[Vikas Datta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brings this talented, multi-facetted and largely uninhibited actress to life in all her vivid colours...