Ailing Suchitra Sen meets Mamata in hospital

An emotional Banerjee posted on her Facebook page on Sunday evening after the meeting, ‘I am undoubtedly fortunate enough to get an opportunity to meet her in person. I am overwhelmed and proud to meet the legendary actress whose films we had seen so many times.’

The move seems interesting since Bengali cinema’s matinee queen has kept herself away from public view for more than 30 years. So what made her break away from a three-decade-old habit? Says actor-turned-Trinamool Congress MP Satabdi Roy, ‘I think Suchitra Sen must have formed a positive impression of Mamatadi in her mind by now. Also, both women share a deep mutual respect.’

Banerjee visited the Belle Vue Nursing Home for the second time on Sunday where the ‘mahanayika’ has been hospitalised since 23 December. ‘I find that she is improving gradually. Let us all pray to God for her early recovery and good health,’ said Banerjee, who had also visited the hospital on Friday, when Sen’s condition was ‘critical.’

Sen’s daughter actor Moon Moon Sen and granddaughter Raima Sen, also an actor, have been by her side since the 82-year-old was hospitalised with a chest infection.

‘I met her daughter Moon Moon Sen and Subrata Moitra and his medical team. Later on, when she became little stable and came to know that I visited the nursing home to enquire about her health, she expressed her desire to meet me. Dr Moitra communicated her desire and accordingly I rushed to the hospital and met her for about 25 minutes today. I also met Moon Moon Sen, Raima Sen, Dr. Moitra and others,’ Banerjee recounted. At home, where there is strict vigil, Sen allows only her daughter and granddaughters to meet her.

The star is known for her strong performances in Deep Jele Jai and Uttar Falguni in Bengali and Hindi films like Aandhi, Devdas, Mamta and Bombai ka Baboo. In 1963, she had also won the best actress award in Moscow Film Festival for her role in Saat Paake Bandha.