- Winner
National Film Award (India) · Best Director (2002) · Winner
- Social impact
Made in direct response to the 2002 Godhra riots, a humanist love story between a Hindu woman and Muslim man forced together amid communal violence
Aparna Sen
Aparna Dasgupta
1945 – Present
- Genres
- Drama
- Topics
- Body & SelfJustice
- Region
- South Asia
- Heritage
- India
Biography
Aparna Sen is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. A leading actress of the late 1960s and 1970s she has received eight BFJA Awards, five for best actress, two for best supporting actress and one for lifetime achievement. She is the winner of three National Film Awards and nine international film festival awards for her direction in films. She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the government of India in 1987. Sen made her debut in Teen Kanya (1961) and received her success with Aparichito (1969). She went on to establish herself as a leading actress of Bengali Cinema with the films Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), Ekhane Pinjar (1971), Jay Jayanti (1971), Memshaheb (1972), Jiban Saikate (1972), Basanta Bilap (1973), Sonar Khancha (1973), Sujata (1974), Alor Thikana (1974), Kajallata (1975), Raag Anuraag (1975), Jana Aranya (1976), Ajasra Dhanyobad (1977), Proxy (1977), Mohonar Dike (1984), Ekanto Apon (1987), Swet Patharer Thala (1992). She also garnered critical acclaim for her work in Indira (1984), Kari Diye Kinlam (1989), Ek Din Achanak (1999), Mahaprithibi (1991), Unishe April (1995), Paromitar Ek Din (2000), Titli (2001), Antaheen (2009), Chatushkon (2014). In addition to acting in films, Sen has also been directing films since 1981, starting with 36 Chowringhee Lane for which she won National Film Award (India) for Best Director. She went on to achieve further success in direction with films Paroma, Sati, Yugant, Paromitar Ek Din, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue, The Japanese Wife, Iti Mrinalini, Goynar Baksho. She won her second National Film Award as a director for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Description above from the Wikipedia article Aparna Sen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.
Selected Filmography
Selected Recognition
- Winner
National Film Awards (India) · Best Direction (1981) · Winner
- Winner
Manila International Film Festival · Grand Prix (Golden Eagle) (1982) · Winner
- Nominee
BAFTA · Best Actress (1983) · Nominee
- First
Aparna Sen is the only woman to win India's National Film Award for Best Direction twice — first for this film, and again two decades later for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer








