Nutan Samarth Bahl, popularly known mononymously as Nutan, is a renowned actress of Indian cinema. She is best known for her skilled and realistic portrayal of a variety of challenging roles. She was most prolific during the 1950s and 1960s where she played several lead roles. She was also the winner of the Miss India title in 1952. She was born on 4 June 1936 to the famed actress and director Shobhna Samarth and her husband Kumarsen Samarth, and is a member of the prestigious Mukherjee-Samarth family of film. She made her debut at a very young age in one of her mother's own films. Nutan was just 14 when she acted in Hamari Beti (1950). After this she found success in Nagina (1951) and Humlog (1951). The 1950s saw more hits like Shabaab (1954), Seema (1955) and Baarish (1957). Paying Guest (1957) alongside Dev Anand was also a very successful film that establish Nutan as a formidable figure in the film industry. Dilli Ka Thug (1958), Anari (1959), Kanhaiya (1959) and Sujata (1959) ended the decade for her with a flourish.

During the 1960s she started to appear in more leading roles. Films like Manzil (1960), Soorat Aur Seerat (1962), Tere Ghar Ke Samne (1963), Khandan (1965), Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya (1966), Dulhan Ek Raat Ki (1967), Gauri (1968) and Bhai Bahen (1969) are some of her most well known works of the 1960s.

With leading roles in films like Devi (1970), Anuraag (1972), Saudagar (1973), and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978) ensured that she remained one of the most coveted actresses in the industry.

The 1980s marked the last years of her reign over the industry with Jiyo Aur Jeene Do (1982), Rishta Kagaz Ka (1983), Meri Jung (1985), Paisa Yeh Paisa (1985), Naam (1986) and Kanoon Apna Apna (1989).

Her last appearance was in the film Insaniyat (1994) as Shanti Devi. After this, she produced two films, Saajan Ka Ghar (1994) and Parakrami (1996). All of these were released posthumously. Nutan breathed her last on 21 February 1991 after succumbing to cancer.

Nutan was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1974. She is one of the actresses who has won the most number of Filmfare Awards, with wins for films like Seema (1955), Sujata (1959), Bandini (1963), Milan (1967) and Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki (1978).