Suchitra Sen remains unseen, even after death

Legendary actress Suchitra Sen died on Friday morning in Kolkata after suffering a heart attack. She was 82. The female superstar of Bengali films was put on non-invasive ventilation after her condition deteriorated on Thursday night. She had been battling respiratory problems for three weeks.

Sen’s last rites were conducted at the Keoratala crematorium, after a gun salute from the state government.

Sen, who ruled Bengali cinema for decades, chose to stay away from the public eye after quitting acting a little over three decades ago. In deference to her wishes, her body was put in a coffin as the hearse journeyed from the nursing home to the crematorium and she remained unseen even after her death. Sen made her debut in films with Shesh Kothai in 1952 but it was never released.

In 1953, she delivered her first box-office hit, Sharrey Chauttor, by Nirmal Dey, opposite actor Uttam Kumar. The film also marked the launch of Uttam and Suchitra as a leading pair, which went on to become an icon for romantic Bengali films for the next 20 years.

During her illustrious career, Sen, won the best actress award in the Moscow film festival for her role in Saptapadi.

According to sources, Sen charged Rs 2 lakh for the film and set a benchmark of sorts. In 1976, she was given the Padma Shri award for her contribution in arts. She, it is believed, refused the Dadasaheb Phalke as she didn’t want to travel to Delhi.

Some of her memorable films are Deep Jwele Jai, Uttar Falguni, Saat Panke Bandha, Alo Amaar Alo, Pathe Holo Deri.

With Mamta in the 1960s, a remake of Uttar Falguni, Sen made her debut in Hindi cinema. The legendary actress played Paro in Bimal Roy’s Devdas. With Gulzar’s Aandhi in 1974, she achieved acclaim in Bollywood. Her last film, Pronoy Pasha, was released in 1978.