Basanti Chatterjee passes away at 88; The star who lit up Bengali cinema with five decades of unmatched performances; battled cancer is no more
Kolkata bid farewell on Tuesday night (August 12) to one of its most cherished cultural icons, Basanti Chatterjee. The veteran Bengali actor, whose illustrious career spanned over five decades and more than 100 films, passed away at the age of 88 at her residence.
She had been battling cancer for a long time, spending months in the ICCU before doctors advised home care under the supervision of nurses. The news was confirmed by a spokesperson from the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum.
From stage to silver screen
Basanti Chatterjee's artistic journey began in theatre, where she honed her craft in numerous stage productions before transitioning to films. She went on to deliver memorable performances in critically acclaimed works such as Thagini, Manjari Opera, Alo, Sujan Sakhi, and Sundari.
Her versatility, expressive depth, and ability to embody complex characters soon made her one of the most respected names in Bengali cinema.
10 Bengali films to look forward to in 2022
A familiar face on television
While her film roles brought her critical acclaim, Chatterjee also became a beloved household name through Bengali television. She appeared in popular serials including Bhutu, Boron, and Durga Durgeshwari. Her final appearance was in Geeta LLB, during the filming of which she fell seriously ill and was unable to return to the sets.
Remembered with love and respect
Tributes poured in from across the film and television fraternity as well as from political leaders. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed her condolences on social media, writing in Bengali:
"প্রবীণ টেলিভিশন অভিনেত্রী বাসন্তী চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের প্রয়াণে আমি গভীরভাবে শোকাহত। তাঁর মৃত্যুতে আমাদের শিল্প ও বিনোদনের জগতে এক অপূরণীয় ক্ষতি হল। আমি তাঁর পরিবার, বন্ধুবান্ধব এবং অনুরাগীদের প্রতি সমবেদনা জানাই।"
('I am deeply saddened by the demise of veteran television actress Basanti Chatterjee. Her death is an irreparable loss to our world of art and entertainment. I extend my condolences to her family, friends, and admirers.')
Basanti Chatterjee's passing marks the end of an era in Bengali entertainment — leaving behind a legacy of grace, talent, and timeless performances.
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