#GoldenFrames: Suchitra Sen who revolutionised woman-centric movies in the 60s

Suchitra Sen acted for twenty-six years over three decades, after which she led a reclusive life. The actress worked in fifty-two Bengali movies and a few Hindi movies. Sen is known for Bengali melodramas and romances, especially with Uttam Kumar, making her the most famous Bengali actress ever. Her movies ran through the 1960s and the 1970s. She was often called the Greta Garbo of Indian cinema and Madhubala of Bengali Cinema. Sen challenged patriarchy with her acting skills, just like her bold roles.

In This Pic : suchitra sen, golden frames

Pic Courtesy : BCCL

Suchitra Sen was born as Roma Dasgupta on April 6, 1931, to Korunamoy Dasgupta and Pabna Dasgupta in Sirajganj District. Her mother, Indira Devi, was a housewife and her father was a headmaster in a local school in Pabna. Sen was their fifth child and second daughter.

In This Pic : suchitra sen, golden frames

She came from a Bengali Baidya-brahmin family and was the granddaughter of the poet Rajonikant Sen. Suchitra received her formal education in Pabna Government Girls High School.

In This Pic : suchitra sen, golden frames

Suchitra married Dibanath Sen, son of wealthy industrialist Adinath Sen, in 1947, at the age of fifteen. She had one daughter, Moon Moon Sen, a former actress. Suchitra's father-in-law, Adinath Sen, supported her acting career in movies after her marriage. Her industrialist husband invested significantly in her career and supported her.

In This Pic : suchitra sen, golden frames

Sen made her debut in the movie 'Shesh Kothaay' (1952), but it was never released. Sukumar Dasgupta's assistant Nitish Roy rechristened her name to Suchitra Sen.

In This Pic : suchitra sen, golden frames