Critically acclaimed Bengali actress Sreela Majumdar dies after prolonged battle with cancer

The news of her demise was confirmed by her husband, according to media reports. The actor breathed her last at her home on Saturday around 2 pm.

Sreela Majumdar, who began her acting career with late filmmaker Mrinal Sen's Bengali film Parashuram in 1979, worked in  both the Bengali and Hindi film industries. She featured in several films of Shyam Benegal in the 1980s, including Mandi in 1983.

Her death has cast a shadow of grief over the entertainment world. 

Her last appearance was in Palan, a movie directed by Kaushik Ganguly inspired by Mrinal Sen's 1982 film Kharij and billed as its sequel and a tribute to the legendary filmmaker.

She rose to fame from a young age when she was discovered at 16 by Mrinal Sen from a radio play. 

While Mrinal Sen introduced her to the world of cinema with Parashuram, she acted in six of Sen’s movies later and used to share a very personal bond with Mrinal Sen, a father figure, and his wife Gita Sen.

However, her first released film in 1979 was Ek Din Pratidin, also directed by Mrinal Sen. 

She also worked in Sen's poignant film Akaler Sandhane (In Search of Famine; 1980-82 release) sharing screen space with Smita Patil.

Image Courtesy: Screen grab from the movie Ek Din Pratidin

She shared screen space with stalwarts like Nasiruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, late Smita Patil and late Om Puri during the golden era of Indian arthouse films in the 1980s. After Mandi, she again featured in Benegal’s Arohan along with Om Puri.

She also dubbed for Aishwarya Rai in the film Chokher Bali (2003) directed by late Rituparno Ghosh.

Image Credit: Screen grab from movie Mandi

Image Credit: Screen grab from movie Arohan

Following her demise, Bengali superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee in a tweet said: "Cinema world has lost a bright star... Every work of Sreela Majumdar will be remembered forever...My deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled her death.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister wrote: “Saddened by the news of the demise of film actress Sreela Majumdar today afternoon. Sreela was a noted and powerful actress who played outstanding roles in several significant Indian films. It is a big loss for the Bengal film industry and we shall miss her stellar presence. My condolences to her family.”