In a touching tribute, actress Mita Vashisht recalls the late Smita Patil. Even during her brief career in cinema, Patil—who would have been 69 on October 17—left behind an impressive collection of work.

In a special interview with Zoom, Mita reflects on how many people saw her as the “new Smita Patil” due to the resemblance between the two.

Were you and Smita Patil members of the same New Wave at the same time?

My name and Smita Patil’s have been so closely associated as to be considered seminal. In a way, Smita includes Mita. I once had to state, “I’m Smita minus the S,” in an interview.

Why did it occur?

as I was being compared to her by everyone. And that she had died just half a year before my graduation from National School of Drama. Oddly enough, I ended up playing many of the parts that were supposed to go to her. So, he really had her in mind when he started working on the movie, Kasba, I believe, directed by Kumar Shani.

It’s funny how, in many ways, our connection has been established—her absence made me present. Yes, that is an odd relationship. And as an adolescent, I did grow up watching her movies. But I never imagined that I would be referred to as the new Smita Patil, the new wave, the moment I step foot in the film or television industries.

However, did you find it acceptable to be called the new Smita Patil?

Not the new Smita Patil, but significant enough that someone steps forward to fill the hole she left behind—that kind of thing. Thus, although it was first pleasant, it also posed a danger to my uniqueness as an actor. I would thus make every effort to avoid it and remember that I am who I am and she is who she is. However, one day, when I was finally exhausted, I admitted it: “Yes, yes, okay, I am Smita without the S.” Indeed, I am Smita without the s. So, at one point, it made the headlines.

However, many have seen more Shabana Azmi traits in you, particularly in your voice.

That is accurate, Subhashji. I was once in a drawing room in Paris with Shabanaji. It was perhaps the home of the Indian ambassador. A celebration was held. And both of us were conversing. Someone once told me that if I shut my ears, Shabana would seem to be asking herself a question and providing her own response. Indeed, there were a great deal of similarities in the voice. She even once expressed interest in collaborating with me on a movie.

Then she realized that Sai Paranjpai’s film Saaz was the perfect occasion. In which, at last, she had portrayed Ashaji and Lataji with Aruna Irani. However, she felt that because the part of the younger sister is more sympathetic, I should play the older sister, right? The role of Asha Bhosle.

Must have been nonplussed, Sai Paranjpye?

She answered, “No, I know Shabana wants to work with you,” after Sai had pulled her hair. To start with, however, you are ten to fifteen years younger than she. She also wants you to take on the part of her older sister. How can I show you the older one on television without going crazy? In other words, you may instruct her to play the older sister and you should play the younger sister. It was the duty of Lataji. If not, disregard it.

Thus, you choose not to participate?

Furthermore, Shabanaji’s reasoning for me to portray her elder sister did not sit well with me. Lata Mangeshkar is portraying Asha Bhosle in the picture. Ultimately, it’s evident that I told Sai that I couldn’t turn Shabanaji down. How should I proceed? Okay, no problem, I’ll let her know, she said. But I will make it very obvious to her: you may either act like the older sister or let her act like the younger sister. If not, disregard it. Otherwise, let’s look for another actress if you want to portray Asha Bhosle’s younger sister exclusively.

Therefore, do you prefer Shabana Azmi over Smita Patil?

Although there may have been some vocal similarities between Shabanaji and myself, our performing styles are quite different, in my opinion. She played characters that the audience could relate to in her early parts—that is, in all of her roles when she was younger. At the conclusion of the movie, the audience will always want to root for her. On the other hand, I believe that when they mentioned Smita and Meeta, they were possibly seeking someone who was prepared to leave the comfort zone.