Veteran Bengali Actress Basanti Chatterjee Passes Away at 88

Kolkata, Aug 13 (PTI) Veteran Bengali actress Basanti Chatterjee, who graced the silver screen in over 100 films, passed away at her home, according to her family. Chatterjee, aged 88, had been battling cancer for an extended period. She left us on Tuesday night.

Throughout her prolific career, which spanned over five decades, Chatterjee delivered memorable performances in more than 100 films, including notable titles such as 'Thagini', 'Manjari Opera', and 'Alo'. She also starred in popular TV serials, including 'Bhutu', 'Boron', and 'Durga Durgeshari'.

West Bengal's Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee, expressed her heartfelt condolences via a post on X, stating, "Her death represents an irreparable loss to the world of cinema and stage. My deepest condolence to her next of kin." Chatterjee spent several months in the ICCU of a hospital before being discharged. Doctors advised she remain at home under the care of nurses during this stage, according to a spokesperson from the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists' Forum.

Her final appearance on television was in the serial 'Gita LLB', during the filming of which she fell gravely ill. During her early years, Chatterjee was also a prominent figure in stage plays.

Fellow actor Bhaswar Chatterjee, paying tribute to her unparalleled artistry, noted, "She had been experiencing a lot of physical pain lately." Despite her declining health and advancing age, her talent remained unmatched.