Dadasaheb Phalke award-winning film director Mrinal Sen, the last of the triumvirate of directing icons, Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, passed away on Sunday. He was 95
Mrinal Sen/picture courtesy" Parambrata Chatterjee's Twitter account
Mrinal Sen took his last breath at 10.30 am after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments, family sources said. "Sen passed away today around 10.30 am due to age-related ailments," a family member said. He is survived by his son. His wife, actor Geeta Sen, passed away last year. The auteur, who has won multiple national awards, was known for his artistic depiction of social reality.
The iconic director who started the "new wave of Indian cinema" with "Bhuvan Shome", was one of the most acclaimed filmmakers to bring recognition to country's film industry on international platforms. His 1982 Bengali film "Kharij" won the jury prize at the 1983 Cannes Film Festival. A career spanning for more than six decades, Sen was one of the greatest ambassadors of parallel cinema directing films in both Bengali and Hindi.
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His trilogy - "Interview", "Calcutta 71" and "Padatik" - is considered to be a masterpiece for depicting the social and political upheaval in Kolkata in the '70s. President Ram Nath Kovind remembered the director for his "penetrating and sensitive portrayal of social realities". "Sad to learn of the passing of acclaimed film-maker Mrinal Sen. From 'Bhuvan Shome' to the 'Calcutta' trilogy, his penetrating and sensitive portrayal of social realities made him a fine chronicler of our times.
A loss to Bengal, to India and to the world of cinema," the post from his official Twitter handle read. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also condoled the demise of Sen on Twitter. "Saddened at the passing away of Mrinal Sen. A great loss to the film industry. My condolences to his family," she tweeted. CPM Secretary General Sitaram Yechury also remembered the filmmaker for his humanistic narrative.
T 3043 - Mrinal Sen no more .. a most amiable, distinguished creative cinematic mind , contemporary of Satyajit Ray and Rithik Ghatak.. I did my first ever voice over in his film BHUVAN SHOME .. prayers and condolences u00f0u009fu0099u008fu00f0u009fu0099u008f
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) December 30, 2018
Renowned Bengali actor Parambrata Chatterjee tweeted, "End of an era... an epoch... legends never die... bhalo thakben (stay well)."
End of an era... an epoch... legends never die... bhalo thakben. #RIPMrinalSen pic.twitter.com/xfwKfW0Kk6
— parambrata (@paramspeak) December 30, 2018
I dreaded the day I would have to write about Mrinalda in past tense. But I knew it was coming. I met him last on Nov 11th. He was frail but he didn't leave my hand. Mrinalda, the world, and for sure my world won’t be the same without you. https://t.co/OxE71qJPMG pic.twitter.com/yS70H4ZiMe
— Nandita Das (@nanditadas) December 30, 2018
RIP Mrinal Sen. One of the finest filmmakers. His films were an inspiration.. Contemporary of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak.
— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) December 30, 2018
Sen was born on May 14, 1923, in the town of Faridpur, now in Bangladesh. He did his post graduation from the University of Calcutta. As a student, he was influenced by Marxist ideology and was associated with the cultural wing of the Communist Party of India. Although he never became a member of the party, he was a part of the Indian Peoples Theatre Association. He was a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1998 to 2003.
Sen's last film as a director "Aamaar Bhuvan" ("This, My Land") released in 2002.
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