Arth (1982), written and directed by Mahesh Bhatt, is a semi-autobiographical film that draws from Bhatt's extramarital relationship with Parveen Babi. This film became a cult classic and starred Shabana Azmi and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in lead roles, with supporting performances from Smita Patil, Raj Kiran and Rohini Hattangadi. Azmi's powerhouse performance, alongside Smita Patil's equally commendable portrayal, remains the highlight of the film. The soundtrack, composed by the ghazal duo Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh, has resonated with audiences and remains memorable to this day. Azmi plays the role of Pooja, a neglected wife who embarks on a journey of self-discovery after her husband Inder (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), a successful but ambitious director, deserts her for an actress named Kavita. Azmi's portrayal of a woman seeking independence and self-realization was praised for its authenticity, intensity, and emotional depth. Her performance earned her a Filmfare Award for Best Actress and another National Award. Arth was also listed as one of the 25 Must-See Bollywood Movies by Indiatimes Movies. The film was remade in Tamil as Marupadiyum (1993) by Balu Mahendra, and in 2017, Pakistani actor-director Shaan Shahid released Arth 2, with Bhatt serving as a mentor during production. Following the success of the film, Azmi revealed that many women reached out to her for advice on marriage and personal relationships. Her character's transformation—from vulnerability to empowerment—had a profound impact, making the role especially resonant with audiences. Azmi's performance was celebrated for its intensity, sensitivity and depth. The film's soundtrack, featuring iconic lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, includes timeless songs like \"Jhuki Jhuki Si Nazar\", \"Koi Yeh Kaise Bataye\", and \"Tum Itna Jo Muskura Rahe Ho\", all sung by Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. The hauntingly beautiful \"Too Nahin To Zindagi Mein\", written by Iftikhar Imam Siddiqi, remains as popular today as it was upon the film's release. Made on a budget of ₹1 crore, Arth grossed ₹2 crore at the box-office and was declared a \"Super Hit.\"