Raja Sen Death: Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee Pays Tribute To ‘Thorough Gentleman’, Recalls His Legacy In Bengali Cinema - EXCL

National Award-winning filmmaker Raja Sen has died at the age of 71 after battling multiple health complications. The veteran filmmaker, who made a lasting mark on Bengali cinema through his films and documentaries, passed away at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata. As the industry mourns his loss, actor Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee paid tribute to Sen, calling him a “thorough gentleman” who always gave importance to his actors. Speaking about the filmmaker’s legacy, Sujoy described Raja Sen as “one of the most important filmmakers of the art house movement in Bengal” and praised the realism and universal humanism reflected in his work.

Actor Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee pays tribute to late Raja Sen

In an exclusive conversation with Zoom, Bengali actor Sujoy Prasad Chatterjee paid a heartfelt tribute to Raja Sen, calling him “one of the most important filmmakers of the art house movement in Bengal” for his work rooted in realism and “universal humanism.”

He said, “He just didn't make art house cinema, he just made films that were not only just commercially successful, but also his films always had a very important message towards humanity.” Sujoy added, “Raja Da has done some very important films in his life. His creative work will always remain with our memories.”

Remembering his personal interactions with the filmmaker, he said, “He was a thorough gentleman. He's always given a lot of importance to his actors.” Sujoy also extended his “heartfelt condolences” to Papiya Sen and hoped the family gets “enough time to grieve and also celebrate his art and life in their own ways.”

About Raja Sen

The veteran filmmaker Raja Sen has died at the age of 71. The veteran director breathed his last at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he was undergoing treatment for multiple health complications. His condition had reportedly remained critical despite treatment, with the filmmaker on ventilator support. His health had deteriorated in recent days following complications involving his heart, lungs and kidneys.

Sen had earlier been admitted to a private hospital after suffering an injury to his lower back before being shifted to SSKM Hospital as his condition worsened. His death has left the Bengali film and television industry mourning the loss of a filmmaker whose work spanned cinema, television and documentaries.

Raja Sen had a prolific career spanning feature films, television and documentaries, with his work earning him three National Film Awards. He made his feature debut with Damu (1996), which won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film. His film Atmiyo Swajan earned the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare, while his documentary on Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film. His filmography also included Desh, Debipaksha, Krishnakanter Will, Laboratory, Moubone Aaj and Colonel.