Raja Sen dies at 71: Prosenjit, Rituparna pay emotional tributes to National Film Award-winning filmmaker

Sen made his feature-film debut with Damu (1996), which won the National Film Award for Best Children’s Film.

His other notable works include Atmiyo Swajan, Desh, Debipaksha, Krishnakant er Will, Laboratory and Maya Mridanga.

He also made acclaimed documentaries and worked extensively in Bengali television.

His death has cast a pall of grief over the Bengali film industry. Actors including Prosenjit Chatterjee and Rituparna Sengupta paid tribute to the filmmaker, remembering his sensitive filmmaking and his contribution to Bengali cinema.

Paying tribute to the filmmaker, Chatterjee wrote on Instagram: "The departure of a legend is always painful."

He further said: "His contribution to Bengali cinema is invaluable to us. Rajada, I remember you with reverence. Your creations and memories will endure forever."

Actress Rituparna Sengupta posted her tribute on Instagram and said: "To us, Rajada was a phenomenon. The legacy of Raja Sen—and the nature of his work—reflected the man himself: nuanced, deeply profound, and compassionate."

She further said, "His passing feels like the loss of a guardian; he was a father figure to me. He showered so much affection on me! I visited him in the hospital, and even then, holding my hand, he asked, "Why have you come? Why aren't you wearing a mask?" Where will I find such affection and love again? We can never recreate that kind of love—that deep care and concern."