Veteran actor Suchitra Sen dies at 82

Kolkata: Legendary actor Suchitra Sen, known as the Greta Garbo of Bengali cinema and who gave memorable performances in classics like 'Devdas', 'Aandhi' and' Deep Jwele Jai', died of a heart attack today at a hospital here.

Family sources said the screen goddess suffered a massive cardiac arrest at Belle Vue clinic where was admitted since December 23. Doctors tried their best to save her but she passed away at 8.25 am, the sources said. "I extend greetings ('namaskar') to everybody on behalf of my mother," her actor-daughter Moon Moon Sen said after coming out of the hospital.

The 82-year-old star, who starred in over 60 films, is survived by her only daughter Moon Moon and grand-daughters Riya and Raima, both actors. She was being treated at the private Intensive Treatment Unit of the hospital for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and was battling acute breathing difficulties.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, who rushed to the hospital after hearing the news, today announced that a gun salute will be accorded to the star at her funeral. "Her family wants a quiet funeral arrangement for her. We need your cooperation to respect their wish," Banerjee said. Sen's funeral will take place at Keoratala Crematorium in south Kolkata, she said.

A tribute would also be paid to Sen at Rabindra Sadan, the city's cultural hotspot. Sen, who has been living the life of a recluse in a south Kolkata apartment for over three decades, starred in memorable Hindi films like 'Devdas', and 'Aandhi' and Bengali films like 'Saat Paake Bandha','Agnipariksha', 'Saptapadi' and 'Deep Jwele Jai'.

The actor formed one of the most successful screen pairings with Uttam Kumar to rule the celluloid from the '50s to '70s.

Sen went on to receive a National Award for her performance in the 1955 Hindi film 'Devdas' and is the first Indian actor to be awarded at an international film festival - best actor award for 'Saat Paake Bandha' in 1963 Moscow film festival.

But after her 1978 movie 'Pronoy Pasha' with Soumitra Chatterjee flopped, she disappeared from the public eye and even allegedly refused the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2005 preferring not to make a public appearance. The screen goddess of yesteryears was often compared to Hollywood actor Greta Garbo as only a handful of people outside her close circuit had seen her face to face in the last 35 years. 

Suchitra's last wish was to play Ma Sarada

Kolkata: A disciple of the Ramakrishna Math, Suchitra Sen's last wish was to enact the role of saint Ramakrishna Paramhansa's wife and spiritual leader Ma Sarada Devi, a family friend of the legendary actor said.

After her last film 'Pranay Pasha' in 1978, Sen became very close to monks of the Ramakrishna Math in Belurmath, few kilometres away from the city.

"Her last wish was also to play the role of Ma Sarada. But it remained unfulfilled. She had said many times that she wanted to act in such a film," Sen's close friend Gopal Krishna Roy said on Friday.

The yesteryear actor was a close disciple of the monastic order and while living the life of a recluse in her apartment in the southern part of the city, Suchitra used to spent most of the time in reading books on spirituality and listening to devotional songs, Roy said.

It was learnt that even during her last days at the Belle Vue Clinic, photographs of Ma Sarada and other religious texts were kept close to her bed. Devotional songs were also played in the hospital at the legendary actress' request where monks often visited to see her.

Next: PM, political leaders condole Suchitra Sen's death

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday joined other political leaders to condole the death of actress Suchitra Sen, saying she had 'graceful cinematic presence'.

"Sen had carved a special niche in the hearts of millions of Indians through her graceful cinematic presence. She was one of the first Indian artistes to win an international award at Moscow in 1963," PM said in his condolence message.

"Sen's versatility and range of performances, in a career spanning nearly three decades, mark a unique contribution to Indian cinema, and to Bengali films in particular," he added.

Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said Sen leaves behind a 'cinematic legacy'.

"Versatile bengali actress Suchitra Sen leaves behind a cinematic legacy. Another gem of Indian Cinema has left us, RIP," Tewari said.

The legendary actress, who died in Kolkata at the age of 82 following a heart attack, was also remembered by BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi.

Modi tweeted: "RIP Suchitra Sen. In her, we have lost a fine actress who leaves behind a monumental contribution to both Hindi and Bengali cinema."

BJP leader Sushma Swaraj said Sen was "a woman of dignity and an actress par excellence".

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan wrote, "Suchitra Sen, your contribution in Hindi-Bangla films will always be remembered. Om Shanti."

Aam Aadmi Party too paid homage to Sen. 

LIFE AND TIMES OF SUCHITRA SENuchitra Sen was born on April 6, 1931 in Bangladesh. Her father Karunamoy Dasgupta was the headmaster of the local school and her mother Indira Devi was a homemaker.
Sen was the fifth child and third daughter of Karunamoy Dasgupta and Indira Devi. She received formal education in Pabna.
She married Dibanath Sen, son of a wealthy Bengali industrialist, Adinath Sen in 1947. The couple has one daughter, Moon Moon Sen, who is also the mother of actresses Riya and Raima Sen.
Sen made her debut in films with Shesh Kothaay in 1952, but it was never released.
The following year saw her act opposite Uttam Kumar in Sharey Chuattor, a film by Nirmal Dey. It was a box-office hit and remembered for launching Uttam-Suchitra as a leading pair.
Sen's patented Bengali melodramas and romances, especially with Uttam Kumar, made her the most famous Bengali actress ever. Her films ran through the 1960s and the 1970s.
She received a Best Actress Award for the film Devdas (1955), which was her first Hindi movie.
One of Suchitra's best known performances was in Deep Jwele Jaai (1959). sen played the role of a nurse in a psychiatric hospital in the movie.
Her international success came in the year of 1963, when she won the best actress award in Moscow Film Festival for the movie Saat Paake Bandha. In fact, she is the first female to receive an international film award.
Sen refused Satyajit Ray's offer due to date problem; as a result Ray never made the film Devi Chaudhurani. She also refused Raj Kapoor's offer for a film under the RK banner. She retired from the screen in 1978 after a career of over 25 years to a life of quiet seclusion.
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