Aparna Sen

Aparna Sen is a distinguished Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and actress renowned for her significant contributions to Bengali cinema. She emerged as a prominent actress in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s, earning an impressive eight BFJA Awards—five in the Best Actress category, two for Best Supporting Actress, and one for Lifetime Achievement. Her directorial prowess has garnered her three National Film Awards and nine accolades at international film festivals. In recognition of her artistic achievements, the Government of India honored her with the Padma Shri in 1987, the fourth-highest civilian award.

Sen made her acting debut in the film Teen Kanya (1961) and achieved notable success with Aparichito (1969). She solidified her status as a leading figure in Bengali cinema with a series of acclaimed films, including Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), Ekhane Pinjar (1971), and Memshaheb (1972). Her performances in films like Indira (1984), Unishe April (1995), and Antaheen (2009) received critical acclaim.

In addition to her acting career, Sen ventured into directing in 1981 with her debut film, 36 Chowringhee Lane, for which she won the National Film Award for Best Director. Her subsequent directorial works, such as Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue, and The Japanese Wife, further established her as a formidable talent behind the camera, earning her a second National Film Award for her work on Mr. and Mrs. Iyer.