Nutan was not just a legendary actress known for her powerful roles — she was also a woman of immense dignity and courage off-screen. While she won hearts with her performances, she didn’t hesitate to call out injustice when it crossed personal boundaries. One such moment came when she shockingly slapped co-star Sanjeev Kumar in public, standing up for her self-respect in an industry that often silenced women. Here’s what really happened.Nutan and Sanjeev Kumar had worked together in several films and shared a friendly rapport. However, things took a turn when rumours of a romantic relationship between them began circulating. Deeply upset by the false gossip, Nutan later learned from a trusted source that it was Sanjeev Kumar himself who had sparked the rumours.In a 1972 interview with Stardust, Nutan revealed the shocking reason behind slapping her co-star Sanjeev Kumar on the sets of Devi. She accused him not only of spreading false rumours about their alleged affair but also of claiming that they were living together and planning to seek custody of her son, Mohnish Bahl.Fed up with the swirling rumours, Nutan finally decided to confront Sanjeev Kumar face-to-face. However, when she approached him, his dismissive attitude only made things worse. According to Nutan, his indifferent body language and casual tone came across as disrespectful. That was the final straw. Unable to hold back her frustration, she slapped him publicly and gave him a stern piece of her mind.Following the slap incident, Nutan faced professional setbacks as many in the industry misunderstood her actions and didn’t bother to hear her side. She lost several projects, but remained firm in her stance. When asked if she regretted slapping Sanjeev Kumar, she firmly said no, adding that he had no right to tarnish her reputation. During this difficult period, it was her husband Rajnish Bahl who stood by her, offering unwavering support and helping her cope with the emotional toll.After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Nutan chose to step away from the film industry. She returned the signing amount for all her upcoming projects and turned towards spirituality, gradually distancing herself from close ones. In 1990, her condition worsened as the cancer spread to her liver. On February 21, 1991, Nutan passed away, leaving behind a legacy of strength and grace after a brave battle with the disease.
