Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, best known for his National Award-winning film Damu, died at a state-run hospital in Kolkata on Sunday following prolonged illness, according to sources at the medical establishment.
Sen was 71. He was undergoing treatment at SSKM Hospital for multiple health complications and was on ventilator support.
Health complications worsened
A senior doctor at the hospital said Sen's condition had deteriorated considerably in recent days after he developed complications involving his lungs, heart and kidneys.
"He had multiple complications and his condition remained critical despite treatment. He was on ventilator support," the doctor said.
Sen had initially been admitted to a private hospital after suffering an injury to his lower back. His condition later worsened, with lung and cardiac complications developing during treatment.
He was shifted to SSKM Hospital on Monday, where he subsequently developed kidney-related complications, the sources said.
National Award-winning debut
Sen made his feature film debut with Damu in 1996. The film went on to win the National Film Award for Best Children's Film.
Over the course of his career, Sen worked across Bengali cinema, television and documentary filmmaking. His feature films included Atmiyo Swajan, Desh, Debipaksha, Krishnakant er Will, Laboratory and Maya Mridanga.
His 2002 film Desh featured Jaya Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan.
A career across cinema and television
Beyond feature films, Sen directed several television serials and documentaries during his long career.
He also made documentaries on prominent personalities and cultural figures, including Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra.
Sen's death has cast a pall of gloom over the Bengali film and television industry, where he remained active across several decades. His passing marks the end of a long career spanning feature films, television productions and documentary filmmaking.