Solitude and Grace: The Life of Suchitra Sen

“I am a solitary person,” says legendary actress Suchitra Sen, reflecting on a life lived on her own terms. “I never ask anyone for help. Acting in Bhagaban Shri Krishna Chaitanya changed my life completely.”

Sen portrayed the character Vishnupriya in the film, an experience that gave her a newfound fearlessness. “Someone has guided me through this journey,” she adds. “I prefer spending time with myself. Since retiring from acting, I have declined all offers. I spend my mornings observing the sky, trees, and garden flowers. In the evenings, I watch the twilight. I especially enjoy conversations with my grandchildren when they visit.”

She had long wished to play Damini in Rabindranath Tagore’s Chaturanga, but the opportunity never materialised. “Premendra Mitra had a film plan in which I would have played the lead. But the producer, Hemen Ganguli, suddenly took his own life. The project never proceeded. I even considered performing Damini on stage. That novel has always held a special place in my heart—it is my favourite among Tagore’s works.”

Sen fondly recalls her films with Uttam Kumar, including Agnipariksha, Harano Sur, Uttar Phalguni, and Saptapadi. She also starred alongside Soumitra Chatterjee in Saat Pake Bandha, a role that won her the Best Actress award at the Moscow Film Festival. “The scenes mirrored my real life,” she says. “During shooting, I argued daily with my husband. One morning, I tore his shirt. That evening, the scene called for the same act. I told the director I wanted to tear Soumitra’s Punjabi shirt, and he agreed.”

Her professional relationships were deeply meaningful. “I always requested producers to place my name above Uttam Kumar’s on posters. My friendship with Uttam was wonderful, and among actors, I have the utmost respect for Dilip Kumar.” She recounts her early work in Mumbai, where Bimal Roy cast her opposite Dilip Kumar in Devdas, and friendships with actors like Sanjeev Kumar, as well as guidance from Kanan Devi during difficult personal times.

Sen’s approach to men was unconventional: “I do not value physical beauty. I value intelligence and clarity of expression.” She famously rejected offers from Raj Kapoor and declined a collaboration with Satyajit Ray due to scheduling conflicts.

In solitude, she found peace. “I avoid media coverage, letters, and public attention. I even skipped my sister Runa’s wedding. Mountains are my preferred travel companions. This way, I remain content, undisturbed, and fully myself.”