There are actresses.And there are actresses.They cavort with the hero, sing songs.They cry buckets and moralize.We remember them, we sure do but for all the wrong reasons.We dream about them, we imagine ourselves in their company and celebrate weekends.Yet, sometimes an actress comes along whom we respect, admire and are afraid of.All at the same time.Smita Patil was one such lady.I think she was strikingly beautiful.It was all in the blazing eyes.She could dance with Big B, play mom to hubby Raj Babbar and still do a Parveen Babi in ’Arth’.This lady had it all.Looks, yes but talent-oh my god!She was a world class act if you know what I mean.Very intense, so very committed that you were scared of her versatility.They say Shabana Azmi is a great actress.Maybe, Smita had it in her to do any role you gave her.And Shabana certainly did not deserve that National Award for ’Godmother’.I am sure if Smita had been alive that role would have gone to her.And she would have made it memorable.Truly memorable.Who can forget ’Umbertha’(’Subah in Hindi), ’Bhoomika’, ’Chakra’and the rest.And to think that this wonderful lady had no formal training in acting.That she began her working life as newsreader on Mumbai Doordarshan.Smita Patil was god’s gift to cinema.She was one of her kind.There will certainly never be one like her.Ever again.