The sweetheart of Bengali and Hindi cinema Suchitra Sen, known for her roles in Hindi films like Gulzar’s Aandhi and Bimal Roy’s Devdas succumbed to a heart attack in the wee hours of January 17. The 82-year old actress’ contribution to Bengali cinema like Deep Jweep Jai, Agnipariksha and Chawa Pawa was so impactful that, legend has it, auteur Satyajit Ray didn’t want to make the film Devi Chaudhurani if Sen didn’t have dates to work with him.
Here’s our list of songs that carved out a space in the imagination of her fans, forever.
Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoye – Saptapadi
The larger than life romantic movie, Saptapadi had this unforgettable moment of a song shot over a dream car journey on a deliciously long, unwinding road. The first line of the song translated from Bangla goes – If this path never ends, how do you think it will be? We felt it would have been good, for with Suchitra’s charm, Uttam’s easy flamboyance and Hemant Kumar’s voice, we could hold onto that moment forever.
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Tum Aa Gaye Ho – Aandhi
Sung in the voices of Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar, this song was featured in the 1975 political drama film Aandhi. Director Gulzar told a tale of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s life through Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen.
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In Bahaaron Mein Akele Na Phiro – Mamta
Dharmendra disarmingly tells his leading lady Suchitra Sen not to roam about alone in the blossoming valley with a fear that the overcast sky might intervene her movement. With Mohammed Rafi and Asha Bhonsle lending their sublime voices, the song is one of the splendid compositions of the film.
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Dekhne Mein Bhola Hai, Dil Ka Salouna – Bombai Ka Babu
If Raghav Sachar’s remix of the original Bombay ka Babu song can sell like hot cakes, one can only imagine the reach and charm of the evergreen original, which was sung to the tunes of S.D Burman.
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Jise Tu Qubool Karle – Devdas
Bimay Roy’s 1955 classic Devdas, shot in black and white starring Dilip Kumar as the leading man, metamorphosed the characters of Paro, Dev, Chandramukhi to a tangible semi-mythical beauty; it is said, a league above the book.
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Tere Bina Zindagi – Aandhi
Accepting the role of Aarti Devi, the established politician who emulates Indira Gandhi, after Vyjayanthimala refused it due to her own reservations; Suchitra Sen then went on to became iconic in the Hindi film fraternity. The songs were composed by R.D. Burman and crooned by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar.