Mrinal Sen no more
Mrinal Sen, legendary filmmaker of Indian cinema based in West Bengal, is no more.
Sen died of a cardiac arrest at his residence in Kolkata's Bhabanipur on Sunday, according to UNB.
He was 95.
Tracing his roots to Faridpur in Bangladesh, Sen was born on 14 May, 1923.
He has directed a handful of critically acclaimed films that put Bangla cinema on the map including "Baishe Srabon", "Chorus", "Akaler Sandhaney", "Bhuvan Shome", "Parasuram" and more. His fanbase, not surprisingly, spanned both in India and Bangladesh.
He won Silver Prize in Moscow International Film Festival in 1975 for chorus; the Grand Jury Prize for Akaler Sandhaney in Berlin International Film Festival in 1981 and the Jury Prize in Cannes Film Festival in 1983 for Kharij. Additionally he won numerous accolades at home and abroad.
He is survived by his son Kunal Sen.
Along with his contemporaries Satyajit Ray and Riwik Ghatak, Sen changed the face of Bangla film in a big way.
After learning of the unfortunate news, a host of celebrities, politicians and film fraternity have come forward to express their condolences, reports The Indian Express.
India grateful to Mrinal Sen, tweets India's prime minister Narendra Modi:
"Our country is grateful to Shri Mrinal Sen for giving us some of the most memorable films. The dexterity and sensitivity with which he made films is noteworthy. His rich work is admired across generations. Saddened by his demise. My thoughts are with his family and admirers."
Mrinal's artistic canvas covers essence of India, says Pranab Mukherjee:
Former Indian president Pranab Mukherjee shares on Twitter, "Deeply saddened at the demise of Shri #MrinalSen.A creative genius, Mrinal Babu's artistic canvas covered the essence of India. His recognition through various national and international awards speaks volumes of his work in the field of cinema. My condolences to his family and friends."
Great loss to film industry, says West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee:
"Saddened at the passing away of Mrinal Sen. A great loss to the film industry. My condolences to his family," Mamata Banerjee tweets.
Distinguished creative, cinematic mind, says Amitabh Bachchan:
"Mrinal Sen no more .. a most amiable, distinguished creative cinematic mind, contemporary of Satyajit Ray and Rithik Ghatak.. I did my first ever voice over in his film BHUVAN SHOME .. prayers and condolences," Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan wrote in a tweet.
RIP Mrinal Das, says Prosenjit:
"At the end of the year receiving news like demise of the legend Mrinal Sen saddens and shocks us. Mrinal jethu gave a new perspective to Indian cinema. It's a huge loss for all of us. May his soul rest in peace," Indian Bangla film star Prosenjit Chatterjee tweets.