Aparna Sen is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. A leading actress of the late 1960s and 1970s she has received eight BFJA Awards, five for best actress, two for best supporting actress and one for lifetime achievement. She is the winner of nine National Film Awards and nine international film festival awards for her direction in films. She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the government of India in 1987.
Sen made her debut in Mejo Bou (1955). She went on to establish herself as a leading actress of Bengali Cinema with the films Ekhane Pinjar (1971), Ekhoni (1971), Jay Jayanti (1971), Memshaheb (1972), Jiban Saikate (1972), Basanta Bilap (1973), Sonar Khancha (1973), Sujata (1974), Alor Thikana (1974), Kajallata (1975), Raag Anuraag (1975), Jana Aranya (1976), Ajasra Dhanyobad (1977), Proxy (1977), Mohonar Dike (1984), Ekanto Apon (1987), Swet Patharer Thala (1992). She also garnered critical acclaim for her work in Indira (1984), Kari Diye Kinlam (1989), Ek Din Achanak (1999), Mahaprithibi (1991), Unishe April (1995), Paromitar Ek Din (2000), Titli (2001), Antaheen (2009), Chatushkon (2014).
In addition to acting in films, Aparna Sen has also been directing films since 1981, starting with 36 Chowringhee Lane for which she won National Film Award (India) for Best Director. She went on to achieve further success in direction with films Paroma, Sati, Yugant, Paromitar Ek Din, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue, The Japanese Wife, Iti Mrinalini and Goynar Baksho. She won her second National Film Award as a director for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.
Films as an actress Year Film Role Notes 1955 Mejo Bou 1961 Teen Kanya Mrinmoyee "Samapti" segment 1965 Akash Kusum Monica Baksa Badal Minu 1968 Hangsa-Mithun 1969 Vishwas The Guru Ghazala Aparichita Sunita 1970 Padmagolap Aranyer Din Ratri Hari's former lover Kalankita Nayak Bombay Talkie Mala 1971 Khunjey Berai Ekhoni Ekhane Pinjar Jay Jayanti Jayanti 1972 Nayikar BhumikayJiban Saikate Memsaheb1973 Ali Baba MarjinaShesh Pristhay Dekhun Epaar Opaar Bilet Pherat Nakal Sona Sonar Khancha Kayahiner Kahini Mallika Basanta Bilap Anuradha Rater Rajanigandha 1974 Sujata Jadu Bansha Asati Alor Thikana SaginaSecretary Vishaka Devi 1975 Kajallata Chhutir Phande Raag Anurag Nishimrigaya 1976 Jana Aranya Somnath's ex-girlfriend Asamay Janeman Nidhiram Sardar 1977 Immaan Dharam Shyamlee Ajasra Dhanyabad Kotwal Saab Proxy 1978Hullabaloo Ovrer Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures Bonnie1979 Naukadubi Kamala 1981 Bandi Balaka 1982 Bijoyini Amrita Kumbher Sandhane 1983 Bishabriksha Suryamukhi Abhinoy Noy Arpita Indira Indira 1984 Paroma Sheela Pikoo Mohanar Dike1985 Neelkantha 1986 Shyam Saheb 1987 Debika Ekanta Apan Jar Jey Priyo 1989 Kari Diye Kinlam 1990Ek Din AchanakProfessor's student Sankranti 1991 Mahaprithibi Daughter-in-law 1992 Shwet Patharer Thala Bandana Ananya 1994 Amodini Muslim 1996 Unishe April Sarojini Abhishapta Prem 2000 Paromitar Ek Din Sanaka2002 Titli Urmila2009 Antaheen Paromita2011 Iti Mrinalini Old Mrinalini Mitra aka Mili 2014 Chotushkone Trina Sen2018 Ek Je Chhilo Raja Anupama Basu 2019 Basu Poribar Mandira Basu BohomaanMadhuri2024Parama: A Journey with Aparna SenHerself as Aparna Sen2025 Ei Raat Tomar Amaar Jayita
Writer and director Year Film Language Notes 1981 36 Chowringhee Lane English, Bengali Won, National Film Award for Best Direction Won, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English 1985 Paroma Bengali Won, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali Won, BFJA Award for Best Director. 1989 Sati Released: 23 November 1989 1989 Picnic TV movie 1995 Yugant Won, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali 2000 Paromitar Ek Din Won, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali,Won, Bombay International Film Festival FIPRESCI Prize ,Won, Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Award of Ecumenical Jury – Special Mention, Nominee, Crystal Globe, Won, Kalakar Awards for Best Director. 2002 Mr. and Mrs. Iyer English Won, National Film Award for Best Direction Won, Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration Won, National Film Award for Best Screenplay 2005 15 Park Avenue English Won, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English 2010 The Japanese Wife English, Bengali, Japanese Released: 9 April 2010 2011 Iti Mrinalini Bengali Won-Kalakar Awards-Best Director Award 2013 Goynar Baksho Nominated, Filmfare Awards East for Best Director 2015 Saari Raat Hindi Premiered at the London Film Festival, 2015 2015 Arshinagar Bengali Released: 25 December 2015 2017 Sonata English and Hindi Released: 21 April 20172019Ghawre Bairey Aaj Bengali Released: 15 November 20192021The Rapist Hindi Won, Kim Jiseok award at 26th Busan International Film Festival and Best director award at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne in 2022.
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