Veteran actress Basanti Chatterjee, a celebrated figure in Bengali cinema, television, and theatre, died at her Kolkata home on August 12 at the age of 88 after a prolonged battle with cancer.

She had spent her final months under home care following an extended stay in the hospital, where she had been kept under ICU observation.

With a career spanning over five decades, Chatterjee appeared in more than 100 films and numerous television serials.

She worked alongside legends like Uttam Kumar, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Rituparna Sengupta, delivering memorable performances in films such as Thagini, Manjari Opera, and Alo.

On television, she became a household name with popular shows like Bhutu, Boron, and Durga Durgeshwari. Before her screen success, she was an accomplished theatre artiste, known for her powerful stage performances.

Her final screen appearance was in the serial Gita LLB, during which she fell seriously ill but remained committed to her craft.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mourned her passing, calling it “an irreparable loss to our world of art and entertainment” and extending condolences to her family, friends, and admirers.

Taking to her X handle, Banerjee said, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of veteran television actress Basanti Chattopadhyay. Her death is an irreparable loss to our world of art and entertainment. I extend my condolences to her family, friends, and fans."

Actor Bhaswar Chatterjee noted that she had been in considerable pain in her final days, but her dedication to acting remained unwavering.

The Bengali entertainment fraternity remembers Basanti Chatterjee not only for her remarkable talent but also for her warmth, humility, and lifelong devotion to art