Veteran Bengali film director Raja Sen passed away on Sunday, 16 August at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he had been admitted three days prior. He was 70. Sen, a three-time National Award winner, breathed his last at 10 a.m. following a prolonged battle with multiple organ failure.

What Led to His Passing

Sen was initially hospitalised with a back injury, but his condition deteriorated progressively during treatment. He developed lung complications, followed by cardiac and kidney failure. His wife, Papiya Sen, told reporters that he had suffered a cardiac arrest and was placed on a ventilator. 'He had a cardiac arrest. Gradually, multiple organs were failing. The doctors tried very hard. But he could not be saved,' she said.

Sen is survived by his wife, Papiya Sen, and two daughters — Subhasree Sen, who is based in Germany, and Sreyoshi Sen. Papiya Sen noted that the family was awaiting the arrival of close relatives, including her elder brother Sabyasachi Chakraborty, before finalising funeral arrangements.

A Career Built on National Recognition

Born in Kolkata on 10 November 1955, Sen began his creative journey in Bengali television before transitioning to feature films. His debut feature, 'Damu' (1996), starring Raghuvir Yadav, Satya Banerjee, and Sabyasachi Chakrabarty, won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film and immediately established him as a filmmaker of consequence.

He followed that with 'Atmiyo Swajan', which earned him the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. His third National Award came for a documentary on celebrated Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra, which won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film.

Films and Documentaries

Beyond his award-winning work, Sen directed several other feature films including 'Chakrabyuha', 'Desh', and 'Debipaksha'. His last feature film, 'Bhalobasar Golpo', was released in 2019.

Sen also dedicated a significant portion of his career to documentary filmmaking, preserving the legacies of prominent figures from Bengal's cultural world. He documented legendary filmmaker Tapan Sinha, theatre icon Sombhu Mitra, and poet Subhas Mukhopadhyay, leaving behind an archival body of work that extends well beyond his feature films.

Legacy and What Comes Next

Sen's passing marks the loss of one of Bengali cinema's most quietly impactful voices — a filmmaker who worked across children's cinema, social welfare narratives, and cultural documentation with equal conviction. The Bengali film fraternity is expected to pay tribute in the coming days. Funeral arrangements were yet to be confirmed as of Sunday morning, pending the arrival of family members.