Sumita Devi
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Sumita Devi (Bengali: সুমিতা দেবী) (1936 - January 6, 2004) was a Bangla film and tv actress. She was born Hena Bhattacharya in Manikganj District, Bengal (now in Bangladesh). She was married to the filmmaker Zahir Raihan.[1]
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[edit] Film career
Sumita gained fame as a film actress in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She debuted in Bangla films with the 1957 movie, Aasia. She acted in the main role in more than 50 movies. Her most famous roles include Kokhono Asheni (1961), Kancher Dewal (The glass wall) (1963), Behula, Ora Egaro Jon (1973). Later, she produced five films in a brief career as a filmmaker.
[edit] Personal life
Sumita Devi was born to a Hindu Brahmin family. She was briefly married to Amulya Lahiri, but the marriage ended in divorce. Following her entry into movies, she married the director Zahir Raihan in 1962, and had two sons. During this time, she also converted to Islam, and changed her name to Nilufar Begum,[1] even though she continued to be known by her stage name. The marriage ended in tragedy as Raihan disappeared in January 1972 at the end of Bangladesh Liberation War and assumed to be killed. Sumita Devi became an active artist for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro (Independent Bengal Radio Station) during the Bangladesh Liberation War.
[edit] Awards
- All Pakistan Critic Award, 1962
- Nigar Prize, 1963
- Bangladesh Film Journalist Association Award
- Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh Award
- Agartala Muktijoddha Award, 2002
- Janakantha Gunijan and Pratibha Sammanona, 2002
