The world of Bollywood is often painted with glamour and flawless relationships, but behind the scenes, the truth can be far more complex. One such incident, which has remained a talking point for decades, involves the acclaimed actress Nutan and the versatile actor Sanjeev Kumar. The story culminates in a shocking public confrontation, with Nutan slapping Sanjeev Kumar and declaring he wasn't even worth her husband's toenail.

Nutan, a celebrated actress known for her powerful performances in women-centric roles, and Sanjeev Kumar, an actor praised for his versatility, shared a friendly working relationship. They had acted together in films like Gouri and Devi. However, rumors of a romantic relationship between them began to circulate, much to Nutan's dismay.

According to Nutan, the rumors took a serious turn when she learned that Sanjeev Kumar himself was allegedly spreading them. She heard claims that they were living together and planning to seek custody of her son, Mohnish Bahl. Nutan, a married woman with a son, was deeply disturbed by these false reports. In a 1972 interview with Stardust, she expressed her distress, stating that Sanjeev Kumar was "nothing" to her besides being a co-star.

fueled by these rumors, Nutan decided to confront Sanjeev Kumar on the sets of their film Devi. However, his dismissive and disrespectful attitude further enraged her. Nutan recalled that Sanjeev Kumar greeted her with a "bored come-on-get-over-with-it fast expression". When she asked to speak with him privately, he "flicked his wrist disrespectfully at a corner and said, 'Let's go and sit there,'".

This was the final straw for Nutan. In a moment of intense anger and humiliation, she slapped Sanjeev Kumar in public. The incident sent shockwaves through the industry, halting the film's shooting. Nutan later stated that she had no regrets about her actions, asserting that Sanjeev Kumar had no right to tarnish her reputation. She famously declared, "Sanjeev Kumar isn't even worth my husband's toe nail".

Sanjeev Kumar's niece, Jigna Shah, and biographer, Hanif Zaveri, offered another perspective. According to them, Sanjeev Kumar's sister, Gayatri Pandit, recounted that an argument between Nutan and her husband, Rajnish Bahl, preceded the slapping incident. Sanjeev Kumar, in an attempt to mediate, called Rajnish Bahl, which only worsened the situation. The next day, Nutan, to prove to her husband that there was nothing between her and Sanjeev Kumar, slapped him on set. They also confirmed that Nutan and Sanjeev Kumar had an affair during the making of Devi, but it ended because Nutan was married.

Following the incident, Nutan faced professional setbacks, with many in the industry misunderstanding her actions. She reportedly lost several projects but remained firm in her stance. Her husband, Rajnish Bahl, stood by her side, offering unwavering support. Nutan later battled breast cancer and passed away in 1991, leaving behind a legacy of courage and memorable performances. Sanjeev Kumar also remained unmarried and died early due to a heart condition.

The incident remains a stark reminder of the pressures and complexities faced by actresses in the film industry, where rumors and scandals can have a lasting impact on their lives and careers. Nutan's courageous act of standing up for her dignity continues to be discussed, highlighting the importance of self-respect and integrity in a world often driven by gossip and speculation.