Shobhna Samarth was an Indian actress, director and producer of Marathi films. She started her film career in the early days of Indian film industry. Although her career started with Marathi cinema, she also did a number of Hindi films. Her first Hindi film, "Nigahen Nafrat" was released in 1935. Shobhna Samarth is best remembered for her character played as Sita in "Ram Rajya" (1943). She was honoured with the Filmfare Special Award for her contribution to the film industry in 1996. She also produced and directed some movies to launch her daughters Nutan and Tanuja.
Early Life of Shobhna Samarth
Shobhna Samarth was born on 17th November in 1916 in Mumbai (Bombay) in British India. Shobhna was born as Saroj Shilotri to banker Prabhakar Shilotri and film actress Rattan Bai. Shobhna initiated her studies in Cathedral School, Bombay. Then the family shifted to Bangalore in 1931 due to financial crisis. Then she attended Baldwin Girls High School. After the death of her father, Shobhna with her mother again returned to Mumbai, where she joined a convent school. She could not complete her matriculation as she joined film industry by that time.
Career of Shobhna Samarth
Shobhna Samarth"s first film was "Orphans of Society" (1935) also called "Nigahe Nafrat" or "Vilasi Ishwar" directed by Vinayak. The film was not a success, but Shobhna was critically acclaimed for her role. Her next film in the year 1936 was "Do Diwane" directed by C. M. Luhar, followed by "Kokila" directed by Sarvottam Badami in 1937. Then in 1939, she acted in "Pati Patni" directed by V. M. Gunjal. From 1939 to 1941 she did several films like "Kaun Kisi ka", "Saubhagya", "Apni Nagariya", "Ghar Javai" and others. In the year 1942, she acted in her career defining film "Bharat Milap" directed by Vijay Bhatt. Then in 1943 she got recognized as Seeta for the film "Ram Rajya".
Filmography of Shobhna Samarth
Shobhna Samarth has acted in the films enlisted below:
| Year | Films |
| 1935 | Vilasi Ishwar |
| 1935 | Nigah-e-Nafrat |
| 1936 | Do Diwane |
| 1937 | Kokila |
| 1939 | Pati Patni |
| 1940 | Apni Nagariya |
| 1942 | Savera |
| 1943 | Vijay Lakshmi |
| 1943 | Ram Rajya |
| 1943 | Naukar |
| 1943 | Mahasati Ansuya |
| 1945 | Veer Kunal |
| 1945 | Taramati |
| 1947 | Shahkar |
| 1947 | Sati Toral |
| 1947 | Malika |
| 1948 | Rambaan |
| 1949 | Narasinha Avatar |
| 1950 | Hamari Beti |
| 1951 | Ram Janma |
| 1955 | Insaniyat |
| 1960 | Love in Simla |
| 1960 | Chhalia |
| 1964 | Chitralekha |
| 1965 | Nai Umar Ki Nai Fasal |
| 1967 | Wahan Ke Log |
| 1972 | Ek Bar Mooskura Do |
| 1972 | Do Chor |
| 1973 | Panitheeratha Veedu |
| 1985 | Ghar Dwaar |
