Meet the Bengali actress, who ruled Hindi cinema and even made her mark on the international stage. However, after one flop film, she left showbiz and never showed her face to anyone for 36 years.
Suchitra Sen was bestowed with the prestigious Filmfare East Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014, months after her demise on January 17, 2014. Considered as one of the greatest Bengali actresses of all time, she also ruled Hindi cinema with her work in a series of films. Not only this, Suchitra even won the Silver Prize for Best Actress at the 1963 Moscow International Film Festival for her remarkable performance in the film, Saat Pake Bandha.
Talking about her personal life, Suchitra Sen was married to Dibanath Sen, who was the son of leading industrliast of that era, Adinath Sen. The couple tied the knot in 1947 and welcomed their first and only child, Moon Moon Sen in March 1954.
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For the unversed, Suchitra Sen made her acting debut in Bengali cinema with the film, Saat Number Kayedi in 1953. Suchitra Sen's second film, Sharey Chuattor, which was released exactly 13 days after her debut film, Saat Number Kayedi, and it changed the course of her life forever.
The romantic comedy film was directed by Nirmal Dey, and it also marked the debut of Uttam Kumar, who went on to become one of the greatest actors in Bengali cinema. The on-screen chemistry of Suchitra and Uttam instantly made a place in people's hearts, and the film was a success at the box office and is still considered as a cult classic in Bengali cinema.
In the coming years, Suchitra Sen and Uttam Kumar went on to work in 30 films. Yes! You read it right. Their on-screen chemistry was enough to land audiences in theatres. Even to this day, they're considered as one of the greatest pairings in the history of Indian cinema. Although most of their films are successful and close to the hearts of their fans, some movies deserve a separate mention. It includes the likes of Sharey Chuattar, Agni Pariksha, Saptapdi, Indrani, Shap Mochan, Pathey Holo Deri, Harano Sur, Sabar Uparey, Sagarika, and Ora Thake Odhare. It was during this time when Suchitra and Uttam Kumar got the titles of 'Mahanayika' and 'Mahanayak'.
With her work in Bengali cinema, Suchitra Sen soon caught the attention of Hindi filmmakers during the 1950s. Finally, it was Bimal Roy who cast her in Devdas alongside Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala. It was a major moment in her career, as she caught the attention of the Hindi audience and instantly made them fall in love with her. In the coming years, she appeared in a series of successful films like Sarhad, Mamta, and many more.
Out of all the Hindi films in which she had worked, it was Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar's film, Aandhi, that cemented her status as one of the greatest actresses of all time. The film was directed by Gulzar, and its story was inspired by the life of the former Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
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During a candid conversation with Amitabha Chowdhury for his book, Aamar Bondhu, Suchitra Sen talked about her journey in Hindi cinema. While sharing her thoughts on Hindi actors, she also addressed the rumours of turning down the opportunity to work with 'The First Showman of Hindi Cinema', Raj Kapoor. Revealing the reason behind her decision to deny working with Raj Kapoor, Suchitra shared that the iconic actor and director sat down near her foot and offered a bouquet of roses to her.
Further, in the same conversation, Suchitra Sen also stated that she always liked men, who preferred having sharp and intelligent conversations. As a result, she didn't like the way Raj Kapoor sat near her foot and offered her a bouquet of roses. After the controversy, while some people in the Hindi film industry termed Suchitra as an 'arrogant person', most of the celebrities were on her side and supported her decision.
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Suchitra Sen and Dharmendra worked together in Asit Sen's film, Mamta, which was released in 1966. As per a report in ETimes, once in an old interview with a leading magazine, Suchitra opened up about Dharmendra kissing her on the back in one of the film's scenes.
Talking about the same, Suchitra Sen shockingly revealed that it wasn't in the script. Although it wasn't in the script but even the director of the film, Asit Sen liked it as it was captivating, he kept it in the film's theatrical cut. Calling it an 'embarrassing moment', Suchitra clearly stated that she disliked how Dharmendra planted an impromptu kiss on her back.
At the time, when Suchitra Sen was leading the Bengali and Hindi film industries, it was the sudden demise of her husband, Dibanath Sen, in a car accident in 1969 that disrupted her to the core. However, she still worked in a series of films, as it was her husband, who encouraged her to become an actress. Unfortunately, in 1978, when her film, Pranay Pasha flopped at the box office, she quit acting and reportedly became a member of the Ramakrishna Movement.
For the next 36 years, Suchitra Sen never showed her face and lived a life away from everyone in a single room. Even when she passed away on January 17, 2014, due to a heart attack, Suchitra's face was kept hidden, and her massive fanbase couldn't see their favourite actress one last time. It was a tragic end to a leading actress who not only dominated Bengali cinema but also made her mark on the international stage.
What are your thoughts on Suchitra Sen? Do you think she was an actress class apart from her contemporaries? Let us know.
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