Sreela Majumdar, Acclaimed Bengali Actress, Dies At 65

Veteran actress Sreela Majumdar, who has worked with esteemed filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Prakash Jha, passed away at her Kolkata home on Saturday due to cancer. She was 65 and is survived by her husband and son.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on Sreela’s passing, praising her as a powerful actor with outstanding roles in significant Indian films. “It is a big loss for Bengal film industry and we shall miss her stellar presence. My condolences to her family,” Banerjee said.

She started her acting career at 16 in Sen’s ‘Parashuram’ in 1980. Later, she appeared in several unique Indian films alongside big names like Naseeruddin Shah, Shabana Azmi, and the late Smita Patil. She played pivotal roles in Shyam Benegal’s Mandi (Market Place, 1983), Prakash Jha’s Damul (Bonded Until Death, 1985), and Utpalendu Chakraborty’s Chokh (Eye, 1983).

Her final film, Palan by Kaushik Ganguly, a sequel to Ekdin Pratidin, received widespread acclaim last year. In total, she contributed to 43 films. Majumdar was also recognized for her delicate voice dubbing for Aishwarya Rai in Rituparno Ghosh’s film Chokher Bali (A Passion Play, 2003).

Condoling her death, the industry’s younger colleague Rituparna Sengupta said, “She had delivered so many memorable performances under the direction of filmmakers like Mrinal Sen and others. She could have been utilised more by the industry.”

According to her husband’s statement to IANS, Majumdar had been battling cancer for the past three years. She was admitted to a hospital earlier this month but was subsequently brought back home, where she passed away on Saturday.