Subhash K Jha Remembers Smita Patil On Her Birth Anniversary
Not for a week, or a day since her unpardonably premature death in 1986 has Smita Patil been forgotten.
Shyam Benegal, who was always badgered by critics and other mischief-mongers to compare his two prized and feted discoveries, always took a diplomatic stand, stating both Shabana and Smita were brilliant in their own right.
It reminded me of Rahul Dev Burman, who when asked to compare Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, said they were like Don Bradman and Gary Sobers in cricket.
GulzarSaab would say, “It was like Neil Armstrong and his colleague who landed on the moon. Armstrong stepped out of the spaceship.
Author's summary: Remembering Smita Patil's legacy.