When it comes to Smita Patil, she left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her, be it colleagues from the film fraternity or her admirers. She carved a special place in countless hearts. In an older interview, her close friend and filmmaker Aruna Raje, who was privy to the actress’ private world, revealed lesser-known facets of her life in an exclusive chat with ETimes.
Aruna Raje recalls the dark night when Smita Patil passed away
The filmmaker not only shared anecdotes from Smita’s professional journey but also spoke about her personality, someone who was fun-loving yet completely no-nonsense. Aruna Raje also recalled the heartbreaking night when Smita breathed her last and how she saw her lying in the hospital, knowing she would never get up again. She said, “It was around 3 am on that fateful December night when Maa’s driver came to my house and told me that Smita was critical and had been shifted to Jaslok Hospital. My house was just two minutes away on Pedder Road. I quickly went and joined Maa at the hospital. I saw Smita in a condition that I cannot describe. I knew she had left us forever and nothing would bring her back. Maa was broken, but she had to compose herself for the sake of the newborn Prateik.”
Smita Patil’s personal letters
Raje also shared how Smita’s mother entrusted her with some of the actress’ personal letters, which revealed many heart-wrenching truths. “After her demise, Maa gave me Smita’s letters and notes for safekeeping—to check what was of use and what was not. Later, I handed them over to Smita’s sister Anita. Glancing through them, I realised they were deeply personal. She was madly in love with Raj, almost to the point of obsession. She had even observed the Karwa Chauth vrat for Raj, even though she was seven months pregnant and had been advised against it,” Raje recalled.The filmmaker further revealed the depth of Smita’s love and the emotional turmoil she endured. “Smita had fallen in love with Raj. She made a choice to be with him. He had not forced himself on her; he had courted her relentlessly. Her undoing was losing herself in love. Love is not only blind; it can also be self-destructive, like in the case of Devdas—it runs its course. It was hard for Smita because her heart and mind were in conflict. She was also very, very alone. I was the only one who remained in touch with her, as her friends and family had distanced themselves. I became her sounding board, and she would share the bitter, difficult parts of her life with me.”
