Aparna Sen

{{Short description|Indian filmmaker, script writer and actress}}

{{Infobox person

|name = Aparna Sen

|image = Aparna Sen - Kolkata 2014-01-31 8137.JPG

|caption = Sen at the 38th IKBF in 2014

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1945|10|25|df=y}}

|birth_place = Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India

|birth_name = Aparna Dasgupta

|spouse = {{ubl|Sanjay Sen|Mukul Sharma|Kalyan Ray}}

|children = Konkona Sen Sharma and Dona Sen

|occupation= {{hlist|Actress|director|screenwriter}}

|years_active = 1961–present

|works = Filmography

}}

Aparna Sen ({{IPA|bn|ɔpoɾna ʃen|lang|audio=LL-Q9610 (ben)-Titodutta-অপর্ণা সেন.wav}}; {{nee|Dasgupta}}) is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. She has received several accolades as an actress and filmmaker, including nine National Film Awards, six Filmfare Awards East and thirteen Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards.

For her contribution in the field of arts, the Government of India honoured her with Padma Shri, the country's fourth highest civilian award.{{Cite web |date=25 October 2020 |title=Aparna Sen — A River Plunging into its Own Depths |url=https://filmcriticscircle.com/journal/aparna-sen/ |access-date=26 October 2020 |website=Journal of Indian Cinema |language=en-GB |archive-date=4 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210804123740/https://filmcriticscircle.com/journal/aparna-sen/ |url-status=dead }}

Early life and education

Sen was born in a Bengali Baidya family in Kolkata. Her family originally hailed from Cox's Bazar in Chittagong District (now in Bangladesh).{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} Her father was the veteran critic and filmmaker Chidananda Dasgupta. Her mother Supriya Dasgupta was a costume designer and earned the National Film Award for Best Costume Design for Chidananda's directorial venture Amodini (1994), at the age of 73. Sen is a niece of Bengali poet Jibanananda Das.{{Cite news |url=http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/aparna-sen-gets-candid-diff-1520797 |title=Aparna Sen Gets Candid At DIFF |date=17 January 2018 |work=The Daily Star |access-date=16 January 2018 |language=en |archive-date=16 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180116220121/http://www.thedailystar.net/arts-entertainment/event/aparna-sen-gets-candid-diff-1520797 |url-status=live}} Sen spent her childhood in Hazaribagh and Kolkata and had her schooling at Modern High School for Girls, Kolkata.{{Cite web |title=Modern hits a new high Modern fetes alumni quartet – Ex-governor lauds school's young spirit at event celebrating 60 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/west-bengal/modern-hits-a-new-high-modern-fetes-alumni-quartet-ex-governor-lauds-school-s-young-spirit-at-event-celebrating-60/cid/1273865 |access-date=2022-10-26 |website=telegraphindia.com}} She studied for her B.A. in English at Presidency College, but did not complete the degree.{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}

Career

=Actor=

Sen's foray into the world of entertainment happened when she was fifteen and was photographed by Brian Brake for the well-known photo from his 1960 Monsoon series of photographs; the photo appeared on the cover of Life.{{cite web |title=Monsoon girl |url=https://teara.govt.nz/files/43221-wmu.jpg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151014213041/http://www.teara.govt.nz/files/43221-wmu.jpg |archive-date=14 October 2015 |access-date=14 January 2018 |publisher=Te Papa}}

Sen made her film debut at the age of 16 when she played the role of Mrinmoyee in the Samapti portion of the 1961 film Teen Kanya ({{lit|Three Daughters}}) directed by Satyajit Ray (who was a longtime friend of her father's). {{Citation needed|date=March 2022}} She went on to appear in up to four films made by the director including, Jana Aranya, and Pikoo.

Four years after her first film, in 1965, Sen acted in Akash Kusum, a Mrinal Sen film where she played the part of Monica. Sen has been an eminent part of the Bengali film industry, playing the lead in popular films like Basanta Bilap (1973) and Memsaheb (1972) amongst others. Sen has also been a part of Hindi films such as Imaan Dharam (1977), Ek Din Achanak (1989), and Ghaath'' (2000).

In 2009, Sen appeared with Sharmila Tagore and Rahul Bose in Annirudh Roy-Chowdhary's Bengali film Antaheen. The film went on to win four National Film Awards.{{cite web |url=http://in.reuters.com/article/bollywoodNews/idINIndia-45633220100123 |title=Bollywood wins big at National Film Awards |date=23 January 2010 |agency=Reuters India |access-date=2 February 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100126093243/http://in.reuters.com/article/bollywoodNews/idINIndia-45633220100123 |archive-date=26 January 2010 |url-status=dead}} In 2019, Sen acted in prominent Bengali films including Bohomaan and Basu Poribar.

=Director=

Aparna Sen made her debut as a writer-director with the Jennifer Kendal starrer 36 Chowringhee Lane (1981). Produced by Shashi Kapoor, the movie received immense critical acclaim and won Aparna her first National Film Award for Best Direction.

In 2009, Sen announced her next Bengali film Iti Mrinalini, which starred herself, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rajat Kapoor, Kaushik Sen, and Priyanshu Chatterjee. First-time screenwriter Ranjan Ghosh co-wrote the film. This was the first time that Sen collaborated with any film writer or became attached to the curriculum of a film institute. The screenplay of Iti Mrinalini was an assignment in the Screenwriting syllabus at the Mumbai-based film school Whistling Woods International.{{cite web |title=There's no luck without hard work |work=Daily News and Analysis |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/interview_there-s-no-luck-without-hard-work_1389978/ |access-date=31 May 2010 |archive-date=2 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100602054021/http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/interview_there-s-no-luck-without-hard-work_1389978 |url-status=live}} It was also a major first in Indian screenwriting, as the first time that any screenplay from an Indian film institute was actually filmed.{{cite web |title=Iti Mrinalini |via=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123737177108 |access-date=11 December 2009 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012003805/https://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=123737177108 |url-status=live}}{{Primary source inline|date=November 2022}} The film was released on 29 July 2011.

In 2013, her film Goynar Baksho (The Jewellery Box) was released depicting three generations of women and their relationship to a box of jewels. It ran to packed houses and won critical acclaim from reviewers and critics.{{cite news |last1=Dutt |first1=Anjan |title=GOYNAR BAKSHO DECODED 1 |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130420/jsp/entertainment/story_16805477.jsp |access-date=3 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph |date=20 April 2013 |archive-date=17 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180117131407/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1130420/jsp/entertainment/story_16805477.jsp#.WQlbBYh97IU |url-status=dead}} Thereafter, in 2015, Arshinagar, an adaptation of Romeo and Juliet was released.{{cite web |title=Aparna Sen's latest film 'Arshinagar' is a Bengali adaptation of 'Romeo and Juliet' featuring Dev |publisher=CNN-IBN |url=http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/aparna-sens-latest-film-arshinagar-is-a-bengali-adaptation-of-romeo-and-juliet-featuring-dev-1171054.html |date=1 December 2015 |access-date=2 December 2015 |archive-date=4 December 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151204040133/http://www.ibnlive.com/news/movies/aparna-sens-latest-film-arshinagar-is-a-bengali-adaptation-of-romeo-and-juliet-featuring-dev-1171054.html |url-status=live}}

In 2017, Sonata—an English film written and directed by Sen—was released. Adapted from a play by Mahesh Elkunchwar, the film examines the life of three middle-aged unmarried friends played by Aparna Sen, Shabana Azmi and Lillete Dubey.{{cite news |last=Rosario |first=Kennith |url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sonata-review-a-play-pretending-to-be-a-film/article18178840.ece |title='Sonata' review: A play pretending to be a film |location=India |newspaper=The Hindu |date=21 April 2017 |access-date=30 August 2018 |archive-date=8 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180608041125/http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/sonata-review-a-play-pretending-to-be-a-film/article18178840.ece |url-status=live}}

In 2021, she directed her 3rd Hindi film The Rapist, starring her daughter Konkona Sen Sharma and Arjun Rampal. In her interview with Firstpost, she said that The Rapist will be a "hard-hitting drama that examines how much of society is responsible for producing rapists".{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/konkona-sensharma-arjun-rampal-to-lead-aparna-sen-directorial-the-rapist-filming-will-begin-in-march-9296631.html |title=Konkona Sensharma, Arjun Rampal to lead Aparna Sen directorial The Rapist; filming will begin in March |website=Firstpost |date=12 February 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021}} The film was nominated for the Kim Jiseok award at the 26th Busan International Film Festival held in October 2021.{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/aparna-sens-the-rapist-to-compete-for-busans-kim-jiseok-award/articleshow/85966130.cms |title=Aparna Sen's 'The Rapist' to compete for Busan's Kim Jiseok award |first=Priyanka |last=Dasgupta |website=The Times of India |date=6 September 2021 |access-date=6 September 2021}} Her filmmaking style was highly influenced by Tapan Sinha.

Awards

File:The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Best Direction Award for the year 2002 to Aparna Sen at the 50th National Film Award function in New Delhi on December 29, 2003.jpg.]]

Padma Shri – the fourth highest civilian award by the Government of India in 1987.
National Film Award for Best Direction for 36 Chowringhee Lane in 1981
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English for36 Chowringhee Lane in 1981.
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali for Paroma in 1984.
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali for Yugant in 1995.
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali, for Paromitar Ek Din in 2000.
National Film Award for Best Direction for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer in 2002.
Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer in 2002.
National Film Award for Best Screenplay for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer in 2002.
National Film Award for Best Feature Film in English for 15 Park Avenue in 2005.
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
Filmfare Awards East – Best Actress Award for Sujata in 1974.
Filmfare Awards East – Best Actress Award for Asamaya in 1976.
Filmfare Awards East – Best Actress Award for Bijoyini in 1982.
Filmfare Awards East – Best Actress Award for Indira in 1983.
Filmfare Awards East – Best Director Award for Parama in 1985.
BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for Aparachito in 1970
BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for Sujata in 1975
BFJA Award-Best Director Award for Parama in 1986
BFJA Award-Best Screenplay Award for Parama in 1986
BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for Ekanto Apan in 1988
BFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress Award for Mahaprithibi in 1992
BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for Swet Patharer Thala in 1993
BFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress Award for Unishr April in 1997
BFJA Award- Babulal Chowkhani Memorial Trophy for Original Story-Yugant in 1997
BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for Paramitar Ek Din in 2001
BFJA Award- Babulal Chowkhani Memorial Trophy for Original Story and Screenplay forParamitar Ek Din in 2001
BFJA Award-Most Outstanding Work of the Year for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer in 2003
BFJA Award-Life Time Achievement Award in 2013
Anandalok Award-Best Actress in 2001
Anandalok Award-Best Actress for "Titlee" in 2002
Kalakar Award-Best Actress (Stage) Award for Bhalo Kharab Meye in 1993
Kalakar Awards for Best Director for Paromitar Ek Dinin 2000.
Kalakar Award-Best Director Award for Iti Mrinalini in 2012
Best Director Award at Indian Film Festival of Melbourne for The Rapist in 2022{{cite news |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/bollywood/heres-the-complete-list-of-winners-for-iffm-awards-2022-11062251.html |title=Here's the complete list of winners for IFFM Awards 2022 |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |work=Firstpost |language=en}}
Filmfare Awards East Life Achievement Award in 2022.

Honours

Sen has served on juries at film festivals around the world. In 1989 she was a member of the jury at the 16th Moscow International Film Festival.{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1989 |title=16th Moscow International Film Festival (1989) |access-date=24 February 2013 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316085017/http://moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1989 |archive-date=16 March 2013}} In 2008, she was elected into the International Jury of the Asia Pacific Screen Awards. In 2013, she headed the jury of the second Ladakh International Film Festival.{{cite news |title=Aparna Sen to head Ladakh international film festival jury |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Aparna-Sen-to-head-Ladakh-international-film-festival-jury/articleshow/20568865.cms? |access-date=7 May 2017 |work=The Times of India |date=13 June 2013 |archive-date=12 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201012003752/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Aparna-Sen-to-head-Ladakh-international-film-festival-jury/articleshow/20568865.cms |url-status=live}}

From 1986 to 2005, Sen was the editor of the fortnightly Sananda, a Bengali women's magazine (published by the Ananda Bazar Patrika group) that enjoys equal popularity in West Bengal and Bangladesh. From November 2005 to December 2006, she was associated with the Bengali 24x7 infotainment channel Kolkata TV as Creative Director. In 2011 she took charge as the editor of the magazine Paroma launched by the Saradha Group.{{cite web |title=Paroma, the fortnightly magazine of Saradha launched by CM |url=http://www.saradhagroup.biz/realty/events.php |website=Events at Saradha Realty |access-date=1 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404212245/http://www.saradhagroup.biz/realty/events.php |archive-date=4 April 2016 |url-status=dead}} Following the Saradha Group financial scandal, Paroma ran into trouble. It finally closed down on 14 April 2013. Sen and her editorial team launched a new magazine called Prathama Ekhon, which was short-lived.{{cite news |last1=Sengupta |first1=Reshmi |title=Why I did not quit |url=https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140821/jsp/frontpage/story_18743324.jsp |access-date=3 May 2017 |work=The Telegraph |date=21 August 2014 |archive-date=16 April 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180416201122/https://www.telegraphindia.com/1140821/jsp/frontpage/story_18743324.jsp#.WQlVnIh97IU |url-status=dead}}

In 1987, the then President of India, Giani Zail Singh bestowed the Padma Shri on Sen in recognition of her contribution to Indian cinema. Since then, she has received several lifetime achievement awards.{{Cite web |date=5 January 2006 |title=25 years of Aparna Sen's sensibility |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/25-years-of-aparna-sen-s-sensibility/story-cjaHYUFeCxUY94kz4fOjdO.html |access-date=28 April 2021 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}

Filmography

Bibliography

Parama and other outsiders: the cinema of Aparna Sen, by Shoma A. Chatterji. Parumita Publications, 2002. {{ISBN|81-87867-03-5}}.
Aparna Sen calls the shots (Women in Indian film), by Rajashri Dasgupta. Zubaan, 2009.