Smita Patil died days after childbirth at just 31; the veteran director Mrinal Sen later publicly alleged gross medical negligence in her care.
Smita Patil gave birth to her son, Prateik, in November 1986 and died on 13 December 1986 from complications that followed. She was only 31, at the height of her powers.
The suddenness of the loss provoked lasting anguish in the film world. Mrinal Sen, who had directed her, later alleged gross medical negligence in the handling of her care. Whether her death was an unavoidable complication or a preventable failure has been argued ever since — a bitter question with no settled answer.
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