By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
रहें ना रहें हम, महका करेंगे
बन के कली, बन के सबा, बाग़े वफ़ा में
रहें ना रहें हम
Suchitra Sen, the dusky beauty from Bengal, was the first Indian actress to receive the Best Actress Award at the Moscow International in 1963. Adorned by millions & comfortably placed in her home State Bengal, the enigmatic beauty, as she was commonly called, agreed to work in “Devdas” at the behest of Bimal Roy. As most readers are well aware, the film is rated as a ‘classic’ of 1950s featuring thespian Dilip Kumar alongside no less talented Vyjayanthimala, another beautiful actress who later made it to the top slot. The film has a dramatic nay tragic end.
Devdas who once loved Paro become infatuated with a notch girl Chandramukhi. Excessive drinking makes his health deteriorate considerably. Knowing his death is imminent Devdas reaches the village in a cart driven by bollocks to fulfil his promise to meet Paro. He dies outside her house on a ‘chaupaal’ on a cold winter night. Paro rushes to see him but her family members do not allow her to step out ;the main gate is immediately fastened. Thus the story of two childhood ‘love birds’ ends with an unhappy note.
The film received many nominations winning the Best Actor Filmfare Award for Dilip Kumar, the Best Supporting Actor for Moti Lal & Best Actress in Supporting Role for Vyjayanthimala which she refused to accept as she felt Paro’s character was no less shiningly meritorious & also deserved recognition.
Sen was later cast in “Bombay Ka Babu” ( 1960), directed by Raj Khosla. The film though reflected mild incestuous overtones, was liked by a large section of cine goers . It was a brilliant piece of work by Raj Khosla, if viewed from artistic angle. “Chal Ree Sajni, Ab Kya Soche, Kajra Na Beh Jaye Rote Rote” was wonderfully penned, composed & rendered. Asit Sen’s “Mamta” (1966 ) featuring Dharmendra was yet another films the actress worked in. The film had a few lovely numbers including ” Rahe Na Rahe Hum Mehka Karenge” was pick of the lot.
Gulzar’s ” Aandhi” starring Sanjeev Kumar became center of controversy as the character of Sen had an uncanny resemblance with the life & style of Indira Gandhi. The story depicted the dilemma of a woman politician who is swinging between her political career and married life. The film received seven nomination winning three. Best Actor Award for Sanjeev Kumar, Best Lyrics for Gulzar “Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi” & Filmfare Award Best Film (Critics) for Gulzar. “Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor Aa Gaya” rendered by Kishore-Lata was another soulful number.
Suchitra Sen enjoyed the best pairing with co-star Uttam Kumar. They worked in many films, of which they did 13 between 1954 to 1956.” Deep Jwele Jaai” ( To light a Lamp-1959), directed by Asit Sen starring Suchitra Sen, Anil Chatterjee & Vasant Choudhury was one of the best films of the actress. Sen plays a Nurse as part of a team exploring new avenues for patients suffering from emotional trauma. Gulzar later made ” Khamoshi” on the subject. The actress, however, remained unfortunate to work with Bengali stalwarts like- Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. In fact she herself refused many offers due to her busy schedule & also for personal reasons.
