Raja Sen passes away at 70: Three-Time National Award-Winning Bengali filmmaker passes away after battling age related ailments
Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, known for his films such as ‘Damu’, ‘Atmiyo Swajan’ and ‘Laboratory’ passed away on Sunday at the age of 70. The three-time National Film Award winner filmmaker had been undergoing treatment at Kolkata’s SSKM Hospital after his health deteriorated in recent days.According to a report by PTI, Raja Sen was admitted to the state run hospital in a critical condition and was on ventilator support. He had been battling age related ailments and had several other health complications for years.
Raja Sen’s prolonged battle with health issues
His health problems reportedly began several years ago after he suffered a serious back injury following a fall on the sets of his film ‘Maya Mridanga’. Although the injury was initially not considered severe, it gradually affected his mobility.Earlier this year, Raja Sen developed weakness in the lower part of his body. Medical examinations revealed a complicated neurological condition, following which he underwent major surgery in February.His condition reportedly improved for a period after the surgery. However, his health deteriorated again in recent weeks, eventually leading to his hospitalisation in critical condition.Speaking about his birthplace, Raja Sen was born in Kolkata on November 10, 1955. He began in career in Bengali television and later transitioned into feature filmmaking.
From television to National Award-winning cinema
He directed several acclaimed television adaptations, including ‘Adarsha Hindu Hotel’, ‘Arogya Niketan’ and ‘Tarashankarer Chhoto Galpo’.
Three National Film awards
He has multiple accolades to his name, his feature-film debut with ‘Damu’ released in 1996, which starred Raghuvir Yadav, Satya Banerjee and Sabyasachi Chakrabarty went on to win the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film.His film ‘Atmiyo Swajan’ won the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare.His documentary on celebrated Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film.His other feature films included ‘Chakrabyuha’, ‘Desh’, ‘Debipaksha’, ‘Krishnakanter Will’, ‘Tinmurti’, ‘Laboratory’, ‘Moubone Aaj’, ‘Colonel’ and ‘Maya Mridanga’.Raja Sen’s cinema was often rooted in human relationships, social realities and the cultural landscape of Bengal.Raja Sen is survived by his wife Papiya Sen and daughters Subhasree Sen and Sreyoshi Sen.
