It's Controversial/ When Smita Patil got candid about objectification of women, nudity in films

Smita Patil was a trailblazing actress and a trendsetter of her time. The actress was known for her outspoken and unapologetic nature. In an interview with Doordarshan, the pathbreaking actress spoke out objectification of women in films and the concept of the male gaze, at a time when it was not in common discourse. Though the actress lived for only 31 years, her legacy lives on not just in her films but also ahead of her times values. 

Smita Patil slams using women as objects to sell a film 

In conversation with Doordarshan, the late actress spoke about using sex as a means of selling films. The actress said, “Ek film ko Hindustan ke audience par ye baat force ki gayi hai ki dekhiye ji iss (film) mein toh sex hai. Isme toh aadhe nange shareer hain auraton ke, toh aap film dekhne ke liye aaiye. Ye ek aisi attitude ban gayi hai jo bohot galat hai (A notion is forced on the audience that there is sex in this film. There are semi-nude women in this film so you come and watch it. This attitude is present which is very wrong).” 

(A still of Smita Patil in a movie | Image: IMDb)

Apart from slamming the frivolous selling technique, the actress also spoke about the difference in perception of male and female nudity. Calling out misogynistic mindset, the actress said, “Hero ko toh nanga dikha nahi sakte, usse kuch hone vala bhi nahi hai. Lekin aurat ko nanga dikhaye to unhe lagta hai 100 log aur aa jayenge (They can't show the hero nude, it won't get you anything anyway. But they think if they show women nude then 100s of people will watch).”

All you need to know about Smita Patil 

(Smita Patil file photo | Image: IMDb)

Smita Patil was one of the leading ladies of her time. She made her debut in the Charandas Chor (1975). She starred in several noteworthy films like Akrosh, Waaris, Aaj Ki Awaaz, Namak Halal, Chakra and others. She was married to actor Raj Babbar. The actress met untimely death during childbirth in 1986. She was only 31 years old. Her son Prateik Babbar is now a well-known Bollywood actor.