Marjane Satrapi, who survived revolution and exile, died of a broken heart at 56
Her drawings looked like something a child might make. They contained things no child should ever have to know. That tension was the whole art.
Veteran Bengali actress Basanti Chatterjee, a familiar face to generations of film and TV viewers, passed away at her home in Kolkata on August 12. She was 88.
The actress had been battling cancer for a long time. After spending months in the intensive care unit of a hospital, doctors recommended that she be cared for at home under the supervision of nurses.
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A spokesperson from the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum confirmed the news to the media, saying she had been in fragile health for quite some time.
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Basanti Chatterjee’s career spanned over five decades, during which she appeared in more than 100 films. From gripping dramas to family entertainers, her work ranged across genres and left an enduring mark on Bengali cinema. Among her most memorable films were ‘Thagini’, ‘Manjari Opera’, and ‘Alo’.
She was also a household name on television, acting in popular serials such as ‘Bhutu’, ‘Boron’, and ‘Durga Durgeshwari’. Her last role was in the TV show ‘Gita LLB’. It was during the filming of this series that her health took a serious turn. This forced her to step away from work.
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Long before TV fame, Chatterjee had been active in the world of theatre, performing in numerous stage productions in her younger years. Her strong stage presence and expressive acting made her a respected figure in Bengal’s cultural circles.
Actor Bhaswar Chatterjee, who worked with her, expressed his grief over the loss. “She had been in a lot of physical pain lately,” he said to the media. He added that her skill as an actress did not have a match despite her age and illness. “We have lost an artist whose craft cannot be replaced.”
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।
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 13, 2025
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also paid tribute. In a message on X (formerly Twitter), she wrote: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of veteran television actress Basanti Chatterjee. Her death is an irreparable loss to our industry and entertainment world. My condolences to her family, friends, and fans.”
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