Indian Film History
Aparna Sen — Actress

Aparna Sen

Actress • Supporting Actress • Supporting Actor • Director

Born 25 October 1945

80
Age
1955
Debut
57
Films

Biography

Aparna Sen worked with Mrinal Sen After making her name shine in Satyajit Ray films, she had the pleasure of working with Mrinal Sen's Akash Kusum and Mahaprithibi in which she played a widow and portrayed the emotions so effectively that she was awarded the prize for Best Actress at the Moscow Film Festival. Besides arts cinema Aparna Sen made name in Bengali commercial cinema Besides Art cinema, Aparna Sen made a big name in Commercial Bengali cinema. Her chemistry with Soumitra Chatterjee in films such as , Baksa Badal and Chhutir Phande was loved as much as her work with Uttam Kumar in films likes Joy Jayanti, Memshaheb and Alor Thikana. Aparna Sen made her debut in Bollywood opposite Jeetendra Few may be aware that Aparna Sen made her debut in Bollywood in 1969 in the film Vishwas, produced by Khatri and directed by Kewal P Kashyap. The movie had upcoming actor Jeetendra opposite Aparna Sen. The movie had hit songs like Aap Se Humko Bichhade………. and Chandi Ki Deewar na todi pyar bhara dil tod diya… Despite good music and good script the film was a flop. Later She worked opposite Dilip Kumar in Sagina (1974) and Amitabh Bachchan in Imaan Dharam (1977). She also worked with Shatrughan Sinha in Kotwal Sahab (1977). All movies were flop. Aparna Sen also featured in Tamil film opposite Rajnikanth Aparna Sen also acted with the Tamil Superstar Rajinikanth in 1981 Tamil hit 'Thee', produced by Balaji as Rajini's lover who gets killed by R.S. Manohar in a plot to kill Rajinikanth. Aparna Sen worked with Merchant Ivory Productions Aparna Sen also worked with eminent Merchant Ivory Productions. She was seen in his film - The Guru (1969), an English-language feature by Merchant Ivory Productions. She further did two more films with Merchant-Ivory, Bombay Talkie (1970), and Hullabaloo over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures (1978). Aparna Sen’s foray into film direction With her very first film 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) as director, Arparna Sen displayed her genius as a filmmaker, who had the sparks of film legends like Satyajit Ray, Mirnal Sen and others. After 36 Chowringhee Lane, she went on to attain more glory with films like Paroma, Sati, Yugant, Paromitar Ek Din, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue, The Japanese Wife, Iti Mrinalini, Goynar Baksho etc All these films were attention grabbers and the critics went bananas appreciating Sen’s brilliance.

Career & Achievements

Aparna Sen became immortal with 36 Chowringhee Lane In 1981 Aparna Sen made her foray into film direction with 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981). The film was made in English and Bengali. The script was penned by Sen herself. It was a sensitive film about Anglo-Indian teacher living in Calcutta. Bollywood actor and filmmaker Shashi Kapoor loved the script and felt the script was tailor made for his wife Jennifer Kendal . Hence he produced the film, with Jennifer Kendal playing the central protagonist to perfection. The film created a sensation and won multiple awards. It Won - Golden Eagle - Best Feature Film at Cinemanila International Film Festival. At National award it won Golden Lotus Award - Best Director - Aparna Sen ; and Silver Lotus Award - National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English. Jennifer Kendal won Best Actress at Evening Standard British Film Awards (UK) The movie immortalized Aparna Sen as a brilliant lady film maker in Indian Cinema.

Filmography (57)

57 films

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