Renowned actor Sreela Majumdar, a favorite among esteemed filmmakers such as Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Prakash Jha, passed away at her residence in Kolkata on Saturday, as confirmed by her family. The 65-year-old artist had been battling cancer for the past three years, leaving behind her husband and son. Expressing condolences, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee praised Majumdar as a powerful performer who left an indelible mark on the Bengali film industry.
Majumdar’s notable roles in Mrinal Sen’s films, including ‘Ekdin Pratidin’ (And Quiet Rolls the Dawn, 1980), ‘Kharij’ (The Case is Closed, 1982), and ‘Akaler Sandhane’ (In Search of Famine, 1981), received critical acclaim. She also played significant 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,’ directed by Kaushik Ganguly and a sequel to ‘Ekdin Pratidin,’ garnered widespread acclaim last year.
Throughout her career, Majumdar appeared in a total of 43 films, showcasing her versatility as an actor. She was also recognized for her sensitive voice dubbing for Aishwarya Rai in Rituparno Ghosh’s film ‘Chokher Bali’ (A Passion Play, 2003).
Reflecting on Majumdar’s contributions, Rituparna Sengupta, a younger colleague in the industry, remarked, “She delivered numerous memorable performances under the direction of filmmakers like Mrinal Sen and others. Her potential could have been further explored by the industry.”
