Born on October 17, 1955, Smita Patil is regarded as one of the finest actors in Hindi and Marathi cinema. 

She acted in over 80 films in her career that spanned over a decade.

Smita Patil, who was married to actor-turned-politician Raj Babbar, passed away in 1986 at the age of 31, barely two weeks after giving birth to Prateik Babbar due to complications.

Smita Patil was born in Pune to a Maharashtrian politician, Shivajirao Girdhar Patil and social worker mother Vidyatai Patil.

In picture: A still from `Bhumika` starring Smita Patil.

Smita Patil did her schooling in Pune itself and graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India.

Before entering the film industry, Smita Patil, in the early 1970s, worked as a television newsreader on Mumbai Doordarshan.

Smita Patil starred in films like Bhumika, Mandi, Manthan, Umbartha, Bhavni Bhavai, Akaler Sandhane, Chakra, Chidambaram and Mirch Masala among others.

In picture: Smita Patil and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in a still from Mahesh Bhatt`s film Arth.

Smita Patil and Raj Babbar starred together in many films such as Waaris, Akarshan, Awaam, Mirch Masala, Insaniyat Ke Dushman and Dahleej among others.

In picture: Smita Patil with Raj Babbar in Aaj Ki Aawaz.

Smita Patil had shared screen space with Amitabh Bachchan in Shakti, Ghulaami and Namak Halaal. 

Big B had once revealed in his blog that Smita Patil was very uncomfortable during the shooting of the film `Namak Halaal` because she just could not understand why she was asked to do what she was asked to do in the film.

Amitabh posted, `But she did it with a lot of personal persuasions from me and it came out fine. She was gentle and frail but stronger than anything you could ever encounter in a woman... truly a gift we lost we never should have.`

Smita Patil in Shyam Benegal`s `Mandi`, a satirical comedy on politics and prostitution.

A still from the film `Avaam` starring Rajesh Khanna, Smita Patil and Raj Babbar.

A still from a film starring Smita Patil.

Smita Patil with Om Puri in Satyajit Ray`s 1981 film `Sadgati`.

Smita Patil and Sunil Dutt clicked in a candid moment, while the duo was having a conversation.

You are truly missed Smita ji!