National Award-winning Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen passes away at 70
Sen directed acclaimed films including Damu, Atmiyo Swajan and Laboratory, and made several award-winning documentaries.
National Award-winning Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, known for films including Damu, Atmiyo Swajan and Laboratory, died at a Kolkata hospital today (16 August), a few days after being admitted in critical condition. He was 70.
Sen had been suffering from age-related ailments and other health complications for several years. He was on ventilation and under close medical observation at a state-run hospital.
His prolonged health problems reportedly began several years ago after he sustained a serious back injury in a fall on the set of his film Maya Mridanga. The injury, initially considered minor, later affected his mobility, according to an industry source close to the filmmaker.
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Earlier this year, Sen developed weakness in the lower part of his body. Medical examinations revealed a complex neurological condition, following which he underwent major surgery in February.
Born in Kolkata on 10 November 1955, Sen began his career in Bengali television before moving to feature films. He directed television adaptations of literary works including Adarsha Hindu Hotel, Arogya Niketan and Tarashankarer Chhoto Galpo.
His feature-film debut, Damu, was released in 1996 and won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film. Starring Raghuvir Yadav, Satya Banerjee and Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, the film established Sen as a filmmaker known for stories centred on ordinary people and human relationships.
He later directed Atmiyo Swajan, which won the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.
His other feature films included Chakrabyuha, Desh, Debipaksha, Krishnakanter Will, Teenmurti, Laboratory, Mouboney Aaj, Colonel and Maya Mridanga.
Sen also directed several documentaries. His documentary on renowned Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film.
He also made documentaries on prominent figures from Bengal's cultural world, including filmmaker Tapan Sinha, theatre personality Sambhu Mitra and poet Subhas Mukhopadhyay.
Sen was married to Papiya Sen and is survived by two daughters, Subhasree Sen and Sreyoshi Sen.
