Archive · 16 Aug 2026
Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, three-time National Award winner, dies
A man named Raja Sen, who made movies, has died.
He made movies in the Bengali language, which is spoken in a part of India called West Bengal.
He was famous for telling simple stories about ordinary people.
His movie 'Damu' and other work won three important national awards in India.
News reports say he was 71, but some reports say he was 70.
Years ago, he fell and hurt his back on a movie set, and that injury slowly caused more health problems.
This year, doctors found a problem with his nerves and he had surgery in February.
In his last days, his lungs, heart and kidneys became very sick, and he was put on a machine to help him breathe.
He died on Sunday at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, and people who love Bengali movies are very sad.
Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen died on Sunday at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata while on ventilator support.
Most reports give his age at death as 71, while some others report 70.
His prolonged health problems began years ago with a fall on the set of 'Maya Mridanga'; he was recently admitted to a private hospital after a lower-back injury before being shifted to SSKM.
Earlier this year he developed weakness in his lower body, was found to have a complex neurological problem, and underwent major surgery in February.
His 1996 debut 'Damu' won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film, and he also won National Awards for 'Atmiyo Swajan' and a documentary on Suchitra Mitra.
- Who
- Raja Sen, veteran Bengali filmmaker and three-time National Film Award winner
- What
- Died at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata while on ventilator support after multiple health complications
- When
- Sunday; one report gives the time as 10 a.m., days after he was admitted to hospital
- Where
- SSKM Hospital, a state-run hospital in Kolkata, West Bengal, India
- Why
- After a back injury from a fall on the 'Maya Mridanga' set years ago, a complex neurological problem requiring major surgery in February, and final complications affecting his lungs, heart and kidneys
- Name
- Raja Sen
- Age at death
- Reported as 71 in most articles, 70 in others
- Place and date of death
- SSKM Hospital, Kolkata, Sunday
- Born
- Kolkata, November 10, 1955
- National Film Awards
- 3: Damu (Best Children's Film), Atmiyo Swajan (Best Film on Family Welfare), documentary on Suchitra Mitra (Best Arts/Cultural Film)
- Feature-film debut
- Damu (1996)
- Last feature film
- Bhalobasar Golpo (2019)
- Survived by
- Wife Papiya Sen; daughters Subhasree Sen and Sreyoshi Sen
Sources
National award-winning Bengali film director Raja Sen passes away
Veteran Bengali filmmaker and three-time National Award winner Raja Sen dies at 70
Bengali Filmmaker Raja Sen Dies At 71 In Kolkata
National Award-Winning Bengali Filmmaker Raja Sen Dies At 71 In Kolkata
Raja Sen, celebrated Bengali filmmaker and National Award winner, dies at 71
