Who Was Raja Sen? Three-Time National Award-Winning Bengali Filmmaker Passes Away After Prolonged Illness

Add as a preferred source on Google

Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen died on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at the age of 70, bringing an end to the career of one of Bengal's respected filmmakers who worked across feature films, television and documentaries. Sen breathed his last at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata, where he had been undergoing treatment after his health deteriorated in recent days.

Raja Sen's Health Had Deteriorated In Recent Days

Raja Sen had been battling multiple health complications for several years. He was admitted to SSKM Hospital in critical condition and was placed on ventilator support as his condition worsened.

Reports said the filmmaker had initially been admitted to a private hospital following an injury to his lower back. His health subsequently deteriorated, with complications affecting his lungs and heart. He was later shifted to SSKM Hospital, where he also developed kidney-related complications.

Photo Credit: [email protected]

Earlier this year, Sen had reportedly developed weakness in his lower body and was diagnosed with a neurological condition. He underwent major surgery in February and had shown some improvement afterwards, but his health later deteriorated again.

According to Bengali media reports, he was also suffering from pneumonia and serious lung-related problems before his death. His wife and actor Papiya Sen confirmed his passing.

Who Was Raja Sen?

Born in Kolkata in 1955, Raja Sen was a filmmaker whose career spanned several decades. He began his professional journey in television and went on to establish himself as a director of feature films, documentaries and television productions.

Sen began directing television plays in 1982 and became known for adapting Bengali literary works for the small screen. His television credits included productions such as Subarnalata, Adarsha Hindu Hotel, Arogya Niketan, Anjuman, Streeash Charitram and Tarashankarer Chhoto Galpo.

His work was often distinguished by its focus on human relationships, social concerns and Bengali literature.

Raja Sen Was A Three-Time National Film Award Winner

Raja Sen's career was marked by three National Film Awards, making him one of the prominent award-winning filmmakers of Bengali cinema.

His documentary Suchitra Mitra won the National Film Award for Best Arts/Cultural Film in 1993. The documentary focused on the celebrated Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra. Sen also made documentaries on several important figures from Bengal's cultural world, including filmmakers Tapan Sinha and Sombhu Mitra and poet Subhas Mukhopadhyay.

His feature-film debut, Damu, released in 1996, won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film. The film revolved around a simple man's relationship with a child and an elephant.

Sen's third National Film Award came for Atmiyo Swajan, which received the award for Best Film on Family Welfare. The film explored family relationships and the emotional challenges surrounding ageing and family life.

Raja Sen's Notable Films

After Damu, Raja Sen directed several films that became part of his distinctive body of work.

His filmography included Atmiyo Swajan, Desh, Debipaksha, Krishnakant er Will, Laboratory, Moubane Aaj, Khancha, Maya Mridanga and Bhalobasar Golpo.

Desh featured Jaya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan, while Laboratory, released in 2010, was based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore and starred Raveena Tandon.

His 2016 film Maya Mridanga was another notable work in his later career.

A Filmmaker Deeply Connected To Bengali Literature And Culture

Raja Sen's contribution went beyond feature cinema. His television and documentary work reflected his deep engagement with Bengali literature, theatre, music and cultural history.

Through documentaries, he chronicled the lives and work of several celebrated personalities, while his television adaptations brought literary works to a wider audience.

His acclaimed television work included Subarnalata, based on Ashapurna Devi's celebrated literary work, along with adaptations of works by Rabindranath Tagore, Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay and Tarashankar Bandyopadhyay.

Raja Sen Family And Legacy

Raja Sen was married to actress Papiya Sen and had two daughters.

His death has prompted an outpouring of grief from the Bengali film fraternity. Actor Prosenjit Chatterjee paid tribute to the filmmaker, while Rituparna Sengupta, who worked with Sen, remembered him as an important figure in her life and career.

With three National Film Awards and a career spanning television, documentaries and feature films, Raja Sen leaves behind a significant body of work closely tied to Bengali literature, culture, human relationships and social realities.