She was a prominent name in the film industry during the 70s and 80s. Throughout her career she worked alongside superstars like Dharmendra Jeetendra Rajesh Khanna and starred in several successful films. However her career took a dramatic turn when a director slapped her in front of everyone. We are talking about veteran actress Tanuja Mukherjee or popularly known as Tanuja. Although she started her career as a child in Hamari Beti in 1950 her first movie was Chhabili in 1960. While her elder sister Nutan was already a well-established actress Tanuja also made a mark in the industry with her beauty elegance and terrific acting skills. She captivated audiences with her performances in Bengali Marathi Gujarati and Hindi films like Zaakol Teen Bhuvaner Parey Prothom Kadam Phool and Rajkumari Haathi Mere Saathi Agni Jeene Ki Raah Do Chor Ek Jaan Hain Hum and Pyaar Ki Kahani. With her impeccable performances and captivating roles Tanuja was called the lady superstar of Indian cinema. When Tanuja was slapped on the set by a filmmaker Did you know Tanuja was once slapped by a filmmaker as she kept laughing on in the middle of a scene? The incident is from the sets of Hamari Yaad Aayegi in 1961. The film was directed by the late Kidar Sharma and starred his son Ashok Sharma. Kidar slapped Tanuja in front of everyone as she wasnt taking her shot seriously. When she complained this to her mother she too slapped the actress teaching her a valuable life lesson. Tanuja hails from a family of stars. Her grandmother Ratanbai Shilotri was an actress while her mother Shobhna Samarth was a star in Marathi and Hindi film industries. Well her sister Nutan was the top actress of her time. Her two daughters Kajol born in 1974 and Tanisha born in 1978 are also actresses. Tanuja married filmmaker Shomu Mukherjee in 1973. Shomu died on 10 April 2008 from a heart attack aged 64. Filmmakers Joy Deb and Ram are her brothers-in-law. She is also the aunt of actors Mohnish Behl Rani and Sharbani as well as director Ayan Mukherjee.