For more than six decades Suchitra Sen remained an iconic figure in Bengali cinema. Synonymous with grace, beauty, and the quintessential Bengali femininity, she held a special place in the hearts of millions.
She was born as Roma Dasgupta in Pabna district in Bangladesh 1931. She wed Dibanath Sen, son of a wealthy Bengali industrialist, in 1947 and had one child, Moon Moon Sen, who went on to become an actress.
Suchitra made her debut in movies with “Shesh Kothai” in 1952, but the movie was unreleased. The following year saw her act opposite Uttam Kumar in “Sharey Chuattor” She received a Best Actress Award for the movie “Devdas (1955), which was her first Hindi movie.in 1972, she was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in India Suchitra Sen was a contender for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the year 2005, provided she was ready to accept it in person.Her refusal to go to Delhi and personally receive the award from the President of India deprived her of that award.In 2012, she was awarded Bangla Bibhushan by the Government of West Bengal.
She retired from the screen in 1978 after a career of over 25 years to a life of quiet seclusion. She has avoided the public gaze after her retirement and has devoted her time to the Ramkrishna Mission.
The district administration of pabna has set up a museum to inform about Suchitra Sen and preserve her memory. Various photographs, billboards with various information about her life, booklets, movie posters and various artifacts. A mural of Suchitra has been installed in the courtyard of the house. This huge portrait of Suchitra is seen as soon as you enter the main gate. Every day many people from all over the country and abroad flock to her house to know about Suchitra Sen. Travelers who came to Pabna from other districts came to see Suchitra’s house and expressed their fascination. Memories of the great heroine are spread throughout the house. And the visitors are fascinated by it.
The legendary actress breathed her last on January 17, 2014 at her Kolkata residence.