Uma Dasgupta, the veteran Bengali actress best known for her portrayal of Durga in Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali, has passed away at the age of 85.
The actress, who became a household name for her powerful performance as Apu's elder sister, died at around 8:00 am on Monday after battling a prolonged illness.
Her role in Pather Panchali, based on Bibhutibhushan Bandopadhyay’s novel, remains one of the most memorable in Bengali cinema.
Though she did not pursue a career in mainstream cinema after the film, her portrayal of Durga continues to resonate with audiences.
The news of her passing was confirmed by actor Chiranjit Chakraborty, who shared that he received the heartbreaking news from Dasgupta's daughter. The actress had been hospitalised recently following an illness.
Earlier this year, rumours of her death had circulated, but were later debunked when it was revealed that she was in good health. Chakraborty, alongside many others in the Bengali film industry, has expressed condolences following her death.
Pather Panchali, released in 1955, follows the childhood struggles of Apu and his sister Durga as they navigate the hardships of rural life.
The film was the first in The Apu Trilogy, followed by Aparajita (1956) and Apur Sansar (1959), and remains a cornerstone of Bengali cinema. Alongside Dasgupta, the film starred Subir Banerjee, Kanu Banerjee, Karuna Banerjee, Pinaki Sengupta, and Chunibala Devi.
Source: Times of India