Nutan, known for her remarkable presence in Indian cinema, once found herself at the center of an ugly controversy. The actress, who had worked with Sanjeev Kumar in films like ‘Gouri’ and ‘Devi,’ was shocked when rumors linked her romantically with the Sholay actor. What made matters worse was the speculation that she was planning to divorce her husband, Rajnish Bahl, to be with Kumar.
‘He Was Spreading the Rumors Himself’
Initially, Nutan dismissed the gossip with a laugh, but things took a serious turn when she learned from a close associate that it was Sanjeev Kumar himself who was allegedly fueling the rumors. In an interview with Stardust, she recalled, “I was disturbed and perplexed. Besides being my co-star, Sanjeev was nothing to me.”
She further revealed how she was appalled when her associate confirmed that Kumar had personally told reporters that they were living together and considering marriage. “He even had the nerve to say that we were wondering about getting custody of my child! Utter rubbish!” Nutan fumed.
The Slap That Shook the Industry
Determined to confront Kumar, Nutan approached him, expecting an explanation. However, his dismissive attitude enraged her further. She described how he stood with his hand on his hip, giving her a bored expression, and when she asked to talk, he flicked his wrist indifferently and pointed to a corner. “And that did it! I couldn’t take it anymore. I let him have one stinging slap and a large piece of my mind,” she admitted.
Did Nutan Regret It?
Despite the industry backlash, Nutan never regretted her action. The incident reportedly cost her several film offers and even impacted her public image. However, she remained steadfast, stating that her family, especially her husband, supported her completely.
Her Demise
Nutan passed away on February 21, 1991, after battling breast cancer, but this controversial episode remains one of the most talked-about moments from her career.
