Here are some little known facts about Smita Patil:

• Smita Patil was also an active feminist and a member of the Women’s Centre in Mumbai.  
• Smita Patil made her first TV appearance as a newscaster for Doordarshan Pune, the Indian government-controlled television, which was the only channel on the airwaves during those days. Smita was working as a TV newsreader and was also an accomplished photographer when Shyam Benegal discovered her.  
• In 1977, she won the National Award for ‘Best Actress’ for her performance in the Hindi film 'Bhumika'. Bhumika was directed by Shyam Benegal. Patil played the role of a strong character of an actress who chooses to lead an unconventional life. The film won two National Film Awards and Filmfare Best Movie Award. It was invited to Carthage Film Festival 1978, Chicago Film Festival, where it was awarded the Golden Plaque 1978, and in 1986 it was invited to Festival of Images, Algeria.  
• Smita donated the money from her first National award to charity for a noble cause.  
• Smita Patil acted in over 80 Hindi and Marathi films in a career that spanned just over a decade.  
• Smita tragically passed away barely 6 hours after having given birth to her son, Prateek Babbar, as a result of childbirth complications. About two decades later, Mrinal Sen, one of India's greatest film directors, alleged that she died due to medical negligence.  
• Smita, who was in a relationship with Raj Babbar, always lived in guilt. Her sister, Manya Patil, added that Smita felt that getting in a relation with a married man was not right.  
• She was crazy for kids, and wanted to be a mother soon. Despite Raj Babbar being married to Nadira Babbar, she continued the relationship as she wanted to become a mother soon and did not have the patience to wait for another relationship to become a mother.  
• After she tied the knot with Raj Babbar, Patil was slammed by her fans and media. Raj Babbar left his first wife Nadira Babbar to marry Patil. And she was referred to as the 'home-breaker' by the feminist organizations she had worked for.