Legendary filmmaker Mrinal Sen passes away at 95

The filmmaker was considered to be one of the founders who shaped the ‘Parallel cinema’ movement in West Bengal in the 1950s.

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Noted filmmaker Mrinal Sen passed away in Kolkata on Sunday after a prolonged battle with age-related ailments. He was 95 and is survived by his son Kunal. He breathed his last at his Bhowanipore home around 10 am on Sunday.

Mrinal Sen was considered to be one of the greatest makers of parallel films – an alternative to mainstream commercial Indian cinema – in Bengali along with his contemporary Satyajit Ray. Along with Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak, Bimal Roy and others, the veteran director was considered a founder of the Parallel cinema movement in West Bengal in the 1950s. His movies were praised for their sensitive depiction of the societal realities of the Indian population at that time.

Mrinal made his directorial debut with the feature film Raat Bhore starring Uttam Kumar in 1955. Ek Din Achanak, Bhuvan Shome, Padatik, Neel Akasher Neecheyand Calcutta 71 are some of his most acclaimed films. He also made short films and documentaries.

In 2005, Mrinal received the country’s highest honour in film, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. In 1983, he became a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award. He was conferred the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Fifth Global Film Festival in Noida in 2012 and was inducted as a member of the Oscar Academy in 2017.

Mrinal also found international acclaim with his films and thrice served as jury member in international film festivals – in 1982 at the 32nd Berlin International Film Festival, in 1983 at the 13th Moscow International Film Festival and in 1997 at the 20th Moscow International Film Festival.

The last movie the director made was Amar Bhuvan in 2002 when he was over 80 years old.

President Ram Nath Kovind, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and many other prominent personalities took to Twitter to express their condolences on Mrinal Sen’s passing away.

Sad to learn of the passing of acclaimed film-maker Mrinal Sen. From Bhuvan Shome to the Calcutta trilogy, his penetrating and sensitive portrayal of social realities made him a fine chronicler of our times. A loss to Bengal, to India and to the world of cinema #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 30, 2018

Saddened at the passing away of Mrinal Sen. A great loss to the film industry. My condolences to his family
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) December 30, 2018

I dreaded the day I would have to write about Mrinalda in past tense. But I knew it was coming. I met him last on Nov 11th. He was frail but he didn't leave my hand. Mrinalda, the world, and for sure my world won’t be the same without you. https://t.co/OxE71qJPMG pic.twitter.com/yS70H4ZiMe
— Nandita Das (@nanditadas) December 30, 2018

“Peyechi chuuti, bidaaye deho bhaai
Shobaare aami Pronaam kore jaai.”
Rabindranath Tagore
“My holidays are here, bid me a Goodbye,
My salutation to each of you on my way out. “
Thank u Mrinal Da for touching my life and waking me up to myself. pic.twitter.com/caxYHuZ8tP
— Mahesh Bhatt (@MaheshNBhatt) December 30, 2018

RIP Mrinal Sen. One of the finest filmmakers. His films were an inspiration.. Contemporary of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak.
— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) December 30, 2018

Saddened to hear demise of Bengali Filmmaker Mrinal Sen da. Known for his Social rebellious & revolutionary Cinema. Had the great opportunity to meet him in 2015 at his Kolkata Residence. God Bless his Soul. #OmShanti pic.twitter.com/G84temy3t7
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) December 30, 2018

At the end of the year receiving news like demise of the legend Mrinal Sen saddens and shocks us. Mrinal jethu gave a new perspective to Indian Cinema.Its a huge loss for all of us.May his soul rest in peace.
— Prosenjit Chatterjee (@prosenjitbumba) December 30, 2018