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Shakuntala Barua | |
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শকুন্তলা বড়ুয়া | |
Born | Calcutta, West Bengal, India | April 22, 1947
Occupation(s) | Actress, singer |
Years active | 1973–present |
Shakuntala Barua (born 22 April 1947) is an Indian actress and singer who has worked predominantly in Bengali cinema, along with occasional roles in Assamese and Hindi films. In a career spanning more than five decades, she has appeared in a wide range of films, from family melodramas and social dramas to parallel cinema and recent commercial successes. Known for her portrayals of strong matriarchs and emotionally intense characters, she is regarded as one of the senior-most character actresses of modern Bengali cinema. [1]
Barua was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, on 22 April 1947. [2] She was drawn to music and theatre from an early age. She trained in Rabindra Sangeet and classical music under renowned exponents Suchitra Mitra, Dilip Kumar Roy, and Krishna Chattopadhyay. [3]
Her first screen appearance is variously reported. Some sources credit her with a lead role in the Assamese feature film Anutaap (1973), [4] while others identify her Bengali breakthrough opposite Uttam Kumar in Sunayani (1979). [5] [6]
During the 1980s and 1990s, Barua became a familiar screen presence. She acted in the action drama Shatru (1984), [7] Aparna Sen’s acclaimed Paroma (1985), [8] and Rituparno Ghosh’s Dahan (1997), which won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay. [9]
She appeared in both commercial hits and artistic ventures, balancing roles as affectionate mothers, stern guardians, and supportive figures in family-centric narratives.
In the 2000s and 2010s, Barua continued working in notable projects. Her credits include Pitribhumi (2007), Sedin Dekha Hoyechilo (2010), Alik Sukh (2013), Gogoler Kirti (2014), Sahaj Paather Gappo / Colours of Innocence (2016), Ahaa Re (2019), and the popular Tonic (2021). [10] [11]
In a 2021 interview, she reflected on the challenges of aging as an actress but emphasized her gratitude for opportunities to work in meaningful projects. [12]
Alongside acting, Barua recorded several music albums. Her Rabindra Sangeet album Puja Amar Sango Holo (1994) remains available on Apple Music and Spotify. [13] [14]
Barua’s daughter, Rajoshi (Piloo) Vidyarthi, is also active in the arts as an actor and singer. [15]
Year | Title | Role | Language | Notes | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1973 | Anutaap | Assamese | Early appearance | [18] | |
1977 | Sandhya Raag | Bengali | [19] | ||
1979 | Sunayani | Bengali | Opposite Uttam Kumar | [20] [21] | |
1981 | Saheb | Bengali | |||
1984 | Shatru | Bengali | [22] | ||
1985 | Paroma (Parama) | Bengali | Aparna Sen film | [23] | |
1987 | Guru Dakshina | Bengali | |||
1989 | Aamar Tumi | Bengali | |||
1989 | Sati | Bengali | |||
1989 | Asha O Bhalobasha | Bengali | |||
1989 | Chokher Aloy | Bengali | |||
1989 | Tufan (Toofan) | Bengali | |||
1990 | Badnam | Bengali | |||
1990 | Debata | Bengali | |||
1990 | Ekhane Aamar Swarga | Bengali | |||
1992 | Hirer Angti | Bengali | |||
1992 | Gunjan | Bengali | |||
1992 | Monikanchan | Bengali | |||
1992 | Pratham Dekha | Bengali | |||
1992 | Bedenir Prem | Bengali | |||
1994 | Tumi Je Amar | Joyeeta Haldar | Bengali | ||
1994 | Sarbojaya | Bengali | |||
1994 | Dhusar Godhuli | Bengali | |||
1997 | Manasha Kanya | Bengali | |||
1997 | Dabidar | Bengali | |||
1997 | Dahan | Jhinuk’s mother | Bengali | National Award-winning film | |
1998 | Sagar Banya | Bengali | |||
1998 | Atmiyo Swajan | Bengali | |||
1999 | Yugavatar Lokenath | Bengali | |||
2001 | Parinati | Bengali | |||
2001 | Shesh Ashray | Bengali | |||
2001 | Srimoti Bhayonkori | Bengali | |||
2003 | Biswasghatak | Bengali | |||
2006 | Nayak | Bengali | |||
2007 | Pitribhumi | Bengali | |||
2009 | Moner Ajante | Bengali | |||
2010 | Sedin Dekha Hoyechilo | Bengali | |||
2010 | Bejanma | Bengali | |||
2011 | Ami Montri Hobo | Bengali | |||
2012 | Aaro Kachha Kachhi | Bengali | |||
2012 | Amrita | Bengali | |||
2012 | Phire Eso Tumi | Bengali | |||
2013 | Chaap – The Pressure | Bengali | |||
2013 | Alik Sukh – A Tale of Fleeting Happiness | Bengali | |||
2014 | Gogoler Kirti | Bengali | |||
2016 | Sahaj Paather Gappo / Colours of Innocence | Lakshmi Granny | Bengali | Critically acclaimed | |
2019 | Ahaa Re | Debi | Bengali | ||
2021 | Tonic | Uma Sen | Bengali | Popular commercial hit |
Years | Title | Role | Network | Ref(s) |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012–2014 | Bodhu Kon Alo Laaglo Chokhe | Nonibala | Star Jalsha | [24] |
2016–2017 | Raadha | Grandmother | Zee Bangla | [25] |
2018–2019 | Bhoomikanya | Star Jalsha | [26] | |
2019 | Eka Noi Ekannoborti | Aakash Aath | [27] | |
n/a | Kurukshetra | Aakash Aath | [28] |