Mrinal Sen, one of the towering figures of Indian cinema, passed away on Sunday morning at his south Kolkata residence. He was suffering from age-related ailments and suffered a heart attack at 10.30 am.
He was 95.
The body will be kept at a moratorium in the city till his son Kunal Sen returns from abroad.
Last of the triumvirate of legendary filmmakers from West Bengal comprising Satyajit Ray and Ritwick Ghtatak, Mrinal Sen was recipient of various award including Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2005.
Born at Faridpur now in Bangladesh, his first film was Raat Bhore in 1956. He was heavily influenced by French New Wave cinema. Some of his well known works include Aakash Kusum (1965), Bhuvan Shome (1969), Calcutta 71 and Interview (1971), Khandhar (1974), Chorus (1975), Mrigaya (1977), Akaler Sandhane (1981) and Ek Din Achanak (1989). Aamar Bhuwan (2002) was his last feature film.
Veteran actor Soumitra Chattarjee spoke about 60 years of association with the filmmaker and said that his death has left a huge void in Bengali cinema.
Director Aparna Sen, who featured in three of his films said he enjoyed his own work and this would come out in his cinema.
"Saddened at the passing away of Mrinal Sen. A great loss to the film industry. My condolences to his family," West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said.
CPI (M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury also remembered the filmmaker for his humanistic narrative. “Mrinal Sen’s passing away is a big loss not only to Cinema but to the world of Culture & India’s civilisational values. Mrinal da radicalised cinematography by his people-centric humanistic narrative. Deepest condolences,” he wrote.