Beyond the screen

Bengalureans who came to be a part of  ‘Bhumika: Celebrating Smita Patil’ left, no doubt, with their hearts content. Presented by Pickle Jar, the event highlighted the life of Smita Patil with movie screenings, panel discussions and more.

On the last day of the festival, the Rotary House of Friendship organised the screening of ‘Arth’, one of Smita Patil’s much appreciated films. Many admirers and new fans came together to watch it.

Shailesh Rudra, the president of the Rotary Club of Bangalore, said, “It was the first time that we partnered with Pickle Jar for an event like this. We thought it would be a great platform for people to come together and celebrate a woman of that era. The movies Smita Patil acted in were very different from the commercial movies of today, but it is still very relevant.  Through this event, we also got a chance to meet the actor’s family and other film personalities.”

‘Arth’, directed by Mahesh Bhatt, revolves around a filmmaker who has an extramarital affair with an actress and decides to leave his wife. The story of this woman’s search for her identity was effectively portrayed by Smita. It left an impact on the audience.

Within a short period in the industry, Smita Patil had captivated the audience with her powerhouse performances. Rohidas Bhat, a fan of the actor, was present throughout the festival and said he enjoyed every bit of it.

“This festival was enriched with memories. Smita Patil wasn’t considered the most gorgeous actress at the time, but her characters had depth and went beyond the appearance. She would also work on movies that had a social message, and it’s still relevant to the day. I have seen all her movies and I’m glad I could watch them again with more of her admirers,” he added.

Elizabeth Cherian Paramesh, the secretary of Rotary Club of Banagalore, was excited being part of this journey. She said, “The 3-day event was a rather exciting one. It was wonderful to hear stories from Smita Patil’s father, sister and the directors she has worked with. She was a very influential woman back in the day and it was a great experience to see that she has left a huge impact on the people today.”
DHNS