Smita Patil (October 17, 1955 – December 13, 1986) was an Indian actress and active feminist who primarily worked in Hindi and Marathi films. Remembered among the finest actresses of Indian cinema, she was known for her portrayals of strong and morally complex women prominently in arthouse and parallel cinema, a New Wave movement in India cinema known for its neo-realism. In a career that spanned over a decade, with 10 films released posthumously, her accolades include two National Film Awards, a Filmfare Award, a Maharashtra State Film Award, and two Filmfare Awards Marathi, and the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour awarded by the Government of India.