Actress Suchitra Sen's condition deteriorates

Legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, who is undergoing treatment at a nursing home here for serious respiratory problems, was again put on non-invasive ventilation after her condition deteriorated Thursday night, doctors said.

"Sen had breathing problems and her oxygen saturation limit dipped. Seeing the deterioration in her condition, the doctors put her on non-invasive ventilation," nursing home sources said.

Earlier in the day, her condition was described as stable by the nursing home.

"Her condition remains much the same as yesterday (Wednesday). Her vital parameters are stable," said the brief bulletin released by the Belle Vue Clinic where Sen is being kept in the intensive therapy unit.

Wednesday's bulletin described the 82-year-old actress as "extremely weak" with her oxygen saturation being maintained with the help of continuous oxygen therapy, nebulisation and chest physiotherapy.

She is not yet out of danger, doctors said.

Sen initially suffered chest infection and was undergoing treatment for it at the nursing home since Dec 23. Her condition worsened on the night of Dec 28.

Following complications, Sen was put on non-invasive ventilation Jan 3.

The actress, who ruled Bengali cinema for decades, has been a recluse ever since she quit acting over three decades ago.

Known for power-packed performances in highly acclaimed Bengali films such as "Deep Jwele Jaai" and "Uttar Falguni" as well as Hindi movies "Devdas", "Bombai Ka Babu", "Mamta" and "Aandhi", she has been dubbed as the Greta Garbo of Bengali cinema.

She won the best actress award for "Saat Paake Bandha" at the Moscow Film Festival in 1963.