Sumita Devi

Sumita Devi (Bengali: সুমিতা দেবী; February 2, 1936 – January 6, 2004) was a Bengali film and TV actress. She was born Hena Bhattacharya in Manikganj District, Bengal (now in Bangladesh). She was married to the filmmaker Zahir Raihan.

Film career

Sumita Devi was a leading personality of Dhaka film society in the 1960s. She first acted in the feature film Aasia (1960). Her next film was Akash Ar Mati (1959). Both were directed by Fateh Lohani. Aasia got the President's Award as the best Bengali film for 1960. Sumita's career in acting spanned for nearly four decades. She acted in the main role in more than fifty feature films and in side roles in more than a hundred. Noted among the films Sumita acted in are E Desh Tomar Amar (1959; started later, but completed before Aasia), Aasia (1960), Kokhono Asheni (1961), Sonar Kajol (1962), Kancher Deyal (1963), Ei To Jibon (1964), Dui Diganta (1964), Behula (1966), Agun Niye Khela (1967), Obhishap (1967), Ora Egaro Jon (1972), Sujon Sokhi (1975) and Amar Janmabhumi (197-). During her long career in acting, she performed roles in radio, television and theatre as well. As a filmmaker, Sumita produced five films. These were Agun Niye Khela, Momer Alo, Mayar Sangsar, Adarsha Chhapakhana and Notun Probhat.

Personal life

Sumita Devi was born to a Brahmin family. Following her entry into movies, she married the director Zahir Raihan in 1961 and had two sons. During this time, she also converted to Islam and changed her name to Nilufar Begum, even though she was continued to be known by her stage name. Sumita Devi became an active artiste for the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendro (Independent Bengal Radio Station) during the Bangladesh Liberation War.