Veteran Bengali actress Mithu Mukherjee, one of the recognisable faces of Bengali cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, has died at the age of 71. The actress reportedly passed away at a private hospital in Mumbai on Sunday night after battling cancer for nearly a year. Her death has prompted tributes from across the Bengali film industry, including actor Prosenjit Chatterjee.
Mukherjee had largely stayed away from the public eye in the later years of her life and was living in Mumbai. News of her death has brought renewed attention to a career that included several popular Bengali films as well as appearances in Hindi cinema.
Prosenjit Chatterjee Pays Tribute
Following the news, actor Prosenjit Chatterjee expressed his grief on social media. Remembering the veteran actress, he described her passing as extremely heartbreaking and said her memory and work would continue to live on. He also paid his respects to Mukherjee.
The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also issued a tribute, remembering Mukherjee’s contribution to Indian cinema and her memorable performances. The organisation offered condolences to her family and loved ones.
Mithu Mukherjee’s Film Career
Born in Kolkata in 1955, Mukherjee entered the film industry at the age of 17. She made her screen debut in 1972 with Chitta Bose’s Shesh Parba. Her breakthrough came with Dinen Gupta’s Marjina Abdulla, where she played the titular character and gained wider recognition among Bengali audiences.
She subsequently appeared in several Bengali films, including Nishikanya, Mouchak, Swayamsiddha, Hotel Snow Fox, Kabi, Pratima, Bandhan and Prarthana. Her work during this period established her as a familiar presence in Bengali cinema.
Work in Hindi Cinema
Mukherjee also ventured into Hindi films. Her Hindi debut came with Khaan Dost in 1976. She later appeared in films including Basu Chatterjee’s Safed Jhoot, Dillagi and Do Ladke Dono Kadke. Her career therefore extended beyond Bengali cinema and connected her with audiences in Hindi-speaking markets as well.
After taking a break from acting, Mukherjee returned to the screen with Chandra Barot’s Ashrita in 1990. The film became her final screen appearance. She subsequently chose a private life away from the entertainment industry.
Mithu Mukherjee’s passing marks the loss of an actress associated with an important era of Bengali cinema. Her performances in Bengali and Hindi films will remain part of her enduring screen legacy
