Shobhna Samarth
- Born:
- November 17, 1916, Bombay, British India (present-day Mumbai, India)
- Died:
- February 9, 2000, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
- Nationality:
- Indian
- Profession(s):
- Actress, Film Director, Producer
Early Life and Education
- Shobhna Samarth, whose early life began near her shobhna samarth birthplace, received her primary education in India.
- She later studied at Baldwin Girls' High School in Bangalore.
- Her father was a banker, which provided her with a relatively comfortable upbringing.
Career and Major Achievements
- Shobhna Samarth began her film career in the 1930s.
- She gained widespread recognition for her portrayal of Sita in Vijay Bhatt's Bharat Milap (1942).
- She established her own production company, Shobhana Chitra, in the 1950s.
- She also directed and produced several films under her banner.
- Samarth is also known for being one of the earliest Indian actresses to embrace on-screen kissing, albeit in a mythological context in the film Bharat Milap.
Notable Works
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1935 | Nigahe Nafrat | Kokila |
| 1935 | Kokila | Kokila |
| 1936 | Do Diwane | Kamla |
| 1941 | Nirdosh | Shobha |
| 1942 | Bharat Milap | Sita |
| 1951 | Ram Rajya | Sita |
Legacy and Impact
Shobhna Samarth was a pioneering figure in Indian cinema, known for her memorable roles in mythological films and her entrepreneurial spirit in establishing her own production company. Her contributions helped shape the landscape of early Indian film and inspired future generations of actresses and filmmakers. She is the mother of actresses Nutan and Tanuja.