Samarth, who is still recuperating from an operation performed recently, had come down to Mumbai from Pune for the function. One of Samarth's daughters, Chatura, was the only family member present at the function which was generally sparsely attended. Bollywood character actor and honorary member of the club, Parikshit Sahani, introduced Samarth to the audience.

Samarth was born on November 17, 1916. Her father was a prosperous banker who was later blacklisted by the British. Samarth, who had thus far lived a comfortable life, had to face tough times for several years. She joined the film industry in 1934.

``Samarth'slife is a story of sheer grit and determination. Both my father and I have admired her a lot. In fact, my father's first big break came opposite Nutan, Samarth's daughter, and I was first noticed opposite her other daughter, Tanuja, '' he said. Sahani showered ample praises on the actress who seemed extremely comfortable handling the adulation that came her way this evening. Sahani's speech did not end without the mention of Samarth's illustrious grandchildren, Kajol and Mohnish Behl.

But it was, undoubtedly, Samarth's short and peppy speech which followed Sahani's that stole the show. ``I love being praised and I love people who praise me,'' she candidly told the gathering. ``I would be a hypocrite if I said that I don't deserve the praise. I am the only grandmother who is left the rest of them are all up there so I guess one didn't have a choice but to award me,'' she said.