Moonmoon Sen
Encyclopedia
Moon Moon Sen ( born 28 March 1948) is an India
n film actress. She did movies in Bengali
, Hindi, Tamil
, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi
and Kannada films. Sen is part of a three generational family of actors and was a staple of the Bengali film industry, starring in many hit films. She eventually starred in Bollywood
films, which she was not as successful as the Bengali film industry. She has appeared in 60 films and 40 TV serials. Her performance in the Telugu film Sirivennela
directed by K.Vishwanath is possibly her best performance.
and Dibanath Sen. Her father, of Ballygunge Place, was the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen of Calcutta, Adinath Sen. Her great grandfather Dinanath Sen was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura.
She was educated at Loreto Convent, Darjeeling
and at Loreto House, Calcutta, then in a school in England and after coming back, she graduated from Loreto College, Calcutta. She received her masters in Comparative Literature
from Jadavpur University
, Kolkata.
As a child, Sen learnt drawing from Jamini Roy
, one of India's greatest artists. She loves paintings and collecting antiques. In an interview in 2000, she said she taught at Ballygunge Girls' School for a year and then taught graphics at Chitrabani, a school teaching film techniques. She was also active in social work
and even thought about adopting a baby, even before she was married. Sen taught English at a well known Boys' school (Ballygunge Govt. High School) in Kolkata before joining films.
(1984).http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020302/ncr3.htm. Her daring role in that film apparently created a storm of controversy.
After Zakhmi Dil (1994) she did not appear in films until 2003 when she starred in an unsuccessful thriller Kucch To Hai
. At no point, she could match success of her her mother
, who was Bengali film's leading actress for nearly two decades.
Before and after entering the film industry, she appeared alone (or with her daughters) in some modelling assignments. She notably modeled for soap ads http://www.rediff.com/chat/adichat.htm which were quite controversial in the 1980s.. Apart from doing some television serials, she also did couple of Bengali tele-films.
Sen said she would bare all even at 70,
"Age is not important, the attitude is. Sophia is the ultimate glam girl who can manage to look beautiful in such a picture even now. But yes, India too has beautiful women like Rekha and Hema Malini who can carry such a thing out with aplomb. In fact, I wouldn't mind myself if the shoot is done aesthetically and with taste."
She is now doing a few films at a time, such as a film in 2000 with younger daughter Riya.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020302/ncr3.htm. She is also apparently writing a cookbook
in Bengali, which is yet to be published. Most recently, she has made occasional appearances, or with her family, also in the Page 3
sections of Indian newspapers, usually at polo events
or film-related events, and promote new restaurants.
. They have two daughters, actresses Raima Sen
and Riya Sen
. She has high regard for her husband, for his consistent support of her professional acting career.
Her late mother-in-law, Ila Devi, was the princess of Cooch Behar
, and older sister of Gayatri Devi
, the Maharani of Jaipur
.
, the Kalakendra Screen Award and the Bharat Nirman Award.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film actress. She did movies in Bengali
Bengali cinema
Bengali cinema refers to the Bengali language filmmaking industries in the Bengal region of South Asia. There are two major film-making hubs in the region: one in Kolkata, West Bengal, India and the other in Dhaka, Bangladesh .The history of cinema in Bengal dates back to the 1890s, when the first...
, Hindi, Tamil
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi
Marathi language
Marathi is an Indo-Aryan language spoken by the Marathi people of western and central India. It is the official language of the state of Maharashtra. There are over 68 million fluent speakers worldwide. Marathi has the fourth largest number of native speakers in India and is the fifteenth most...
and Kannada films. Sen is part of a three generational family of actors and was a staple of the Bengali film industry, starring in many hit films. She eventually starred in Bollywood
Bollywood
Bollywood is the informal term popularly used for the Hindi-language film industry based in Mumbai , Maharashtra, India. The term is often incorrectly used to refer to the whole of Indian cinema; it is only a part of the total Indian film industry, which includes other production centers producing...
films, which she was not as successful as the Bengali film industry. She has appeared in 60 films and 40 TV serials. Her performance in the Telugu film Sirivennela
Sirivennela
Sirivennela is a 1986 Telugu film based on Arts and was released in India in 1986. The movie was directed by K. Viswanath who is known for his presentation in the classical arts in the current societal status of India.-Plot:...
directed by K.Vishwanath is possibly her best performance.
Early life
Moon Moon Sen was born into a Bengali family in Calcutta to popular Bengali actress Suchitra SenSuchitra Sen
Suchitra Sen ; or Rama Dasgupta , is an Indian actress who acted in several Bengali films. In particular, the movies in which she paired opposite another legend in Bengali films, Uttam Kumar, became classics in the history of Bengali cinema. She now lives a life of a recluse rarely making any...
and Dibanath Sen. Her father, of Ballygunge Place, was the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen of Calcutta, Adinath Sen. Her great grandfather Dinanath Sen was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura.
She was educated at Loreto Convent, Darjeeling
Loreto Convent, Darjeeling
Loreto Convent is an English-medium high school in the town of Darjeeling, West Bengal, India. The school is run by Loreto Education Society of Darjeeling.The school is affiliated to the ICSE and ISC boards of Delhi.-History:...
and at Loreto House, Calcutta, then in a school in England and after coming back, she graduated from Loreto College, Calcutta. She received her masters in Comparative Literature
Comparative literature
Comparative literature is an academic field dealing with the literature of two or more different linguistic, cultural or national groups...
from Jadavpur University
Jadavpur University
Jadavpur University , is a premier educational and research institution in India.It is located in Kolkata, West Bengal and comprises two campuses - the main campus at Jadavpur and the new campus at Salt Lake...
, Kolkata.
As a child, Sen learnt drawing from Jamini Roy
Jamini Roy
-Early life:Jamini Roy was born in 1887 into a middle-class family of land-owners in a village called Beliatore in the District of Bankura in Bengal .When he was sixteen he was sent to study at the Government School of Art in Calcutta...
, one of India's greatest artists. She loves paintings and collecting antiques. In an interview in 2000, she said she taught at Ballygunge Girls' School for a year and then taught graphics at Chitrabani, a school teaching film techniques. She was also active in social work
Social work
Social Work is a professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and wellbeing of an individual, group, or community by intervening through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice, and teaching on behalf of those afflicted with poverty or any real or...
and even thought about adopting a baby, even before she was married. Sen taught English at a well known Boys' school (Ballygunge Govt. High School) in Kolkata before joining films.
Acting career
Moon Moon Sen started her career in films and television after marriage and motherhood. She made her debut in Andar BaaharAndar Baahar
Andar Bahaar is a 1984 Hindi film. Produced By Romu Sippy and directed by Raj Sippy, the film follows the story line of 48 Hrs.. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Kim, Danny Denzongpa, Gulshan Grover, Huma Khan, Parikshat Sahni, and Moon Moon Sen. The film's music is by R. D. Burman....
(1984).http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020302/ncr3.htm. Her daring role in that film apparently created a storm of controversy.
After Zakhmi Dil (1994) she did not appear in films until 2003 when she starred in an unsuccessful thriller Kucch To Hai
Kucch To Hai
Kucch To Hai is a Bollywood horror film directed by Anurag Basu and Anil V. Kumar, while it's written by Rajeev Javehri. The film stars Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, Natassha, Yash Tonk, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra and Moonmoon Sen. The film is produced under the banner of Balaji Telefilms...
. At no point, she could match success of her her mother
Suchitra Sen
Suchitra Sen ; or Rama Dasgupta , is an Indian actress who acted in several Bengali films. In particular, the movies in which she paired opposite another legend in Bengali films, Uttam Kumar, became classics in the history of Bengali cinema. She now lives a life of a recluse rarely making any...
, who was Bengali film's leading actress for nearly two decades.
Before and after entering the film industry, she appeared alone (or with her daughters) in some modelling assignments. She notably modeled for soap ads http://www.rediff.com/chat/adichat.htm which were quite controversial in the 1980s.. Apart from doing some television serials, she also did couple of Bengali tele-films.
Sen said she would bare all even at 70,
"Age is not important, the attitude is. Sophia is the ultimate glam girl who can manage to look beautiful in such a picture even now. But yes, India too has beautiful women like Rekha and Hema Malini who can carry such a thing out with aplomb. In fact, I wouldn't mind myself if the shoot is done aesthetically and with taste."
She is now doing a few films at a time, such as a film in 2000 with younger daughter Riya.http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/20020302/ncr3.htm. She is also apparently writing a cookbook
Cookbook
A cookbook is a kitchen reference that typically contains a collection of recipes. Modern versions may also include colorful illustrations and advice on purchasing quality ingredients or making substitutions...
in Bengali, which is yet to be published. Most recently, she has made occasional appearances, or with her family, also in the Page 3
Page 3
Page 3 may refer to* Page Three, a feature which contains topless girls in several tabloid newspapers, particularly notable in the United Kingdom* Page 3 , a Bollywood film by Madhur Bhandarkar* Page3, a feature on ESPN.com...
sections of Indian newspapers, usually at polo events
Polo
Polo is a team sport played on horseback in which the objective is to score goals against an opposing team. Sometimes called, "The Sport of Kings", it was highly popularized by the British. Players score by driving a small white plastic or wooden ball into the opposing team's goal using a...
or film-related events, and promote new restaurants.
Personal life
Moon Moon Sen married in 1978, to a descendant of the royal family of Tripura stateTripura
Tripura is a state in North-East India, with an area of . It is the third smallest state of India, according to area. Tripura is surrounded by Bangladesh on the north, south, and west. The Indian states of Assam and Mizoram lie to the east. The capital is Agartala and the main languages spoken are...
. They have two daughters, actresses Raima Sen
Raima Sen
-Early life:She is the daughter of Moon Moon Sen and the granddaughter of legendary actress Suchitra Sen. Her sister, Riya Sen, is also in the Bollywood industry. Their father Bharat Dev Varma is a member of the royal family of Tripura. Her paternal grandmother, Ila Devi, was the princess of Cooch...
and Riya Sen
Riya Sen
Riya Sen is an Indian film actress and model. Riya, who hails from a family of actors including her grandmother Suchitra Sen, mother Moon Moon Sen and sister Raima Sen, began her acting career in 1991 as a child artiste in the film Vishkanya. Her first commercial success in her film career was...
. She has high regard for her husband, for his consistent support of her professional acting career.
Her late mother-in-law, Ila Devi, was the princess of Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar
Cooch Behar is the district headquarters and the largest city of Cooch Behar District in the Indian state of West Bengal. It is situated in the foothills of the Eastern Himalayas and located at . Cooch Behar is the only planned town in North Bengal region with remnants of royal heritage...
, and older sister of Gayatri Devi
Gayatri Devi
Gayatri Devi , often styled as Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur, was born as Princess Gayatri Devi of Cooch Behar...
, the Maharani of Jaipur
Jaipur
Jaipur , also popularly known as the Pink City, is the capital and largest city of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Founded on 18 November 1727 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the ruler of Amber, the city today has a population of more than 3.1 million....
.
Awards
Sen received awards such as the Nandi State AwardNandi Awards
The Nandi Awards is the most Prominent award ceremony for Telugu films, Telugu Theater & Television, presented annually in Andhra Pradesh, India. "Nandi" means "bull", the awards being named after the big granite bull at Lepakshi — a cultural and historical symbol of Andhra Pradesh.Nandi...
, the Kalakendra Screen Award and the Bharat Nirman Award.
Bengali
- Baidurya Rahasya
- Rajbadhu
- Byabodhan
- Tumi Kato Sundar
- Gajamukuta (1991)
- Anjali
- Ajantay
- Mahashay
- Rajshwari
- Apon Ghorey
- Sopan (1994)
- Tumi Kato Sundar
- Pujarini
- Neel Nirjane
- My Karma
- Boi Durjo Raw Hossho
- Anterale—Chironjeet
Bollywood
- Chorus (1974)
- Andar BaaharAndar BaaharAndar Bahaar is a 1984 Hindi film. Produced By Romu Sippy and directed by Raj Sippy, the film follows the story line of 48 Hrs.. The film stars Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Kim, Danny Denzongpa, Gulshan Grover, Huma Khan, Parikshat Sahni, and Moon Moon Sen. The film's music is by R. D. Burman....
(1984) ... Reema - MusafirMusafirMusafir is a 2004 Hindi thriller film, directed and produced by Sanjay Gupta starring Sanjay Dutt, Anil Kapoor and Sameera Reddy. The film was controversial because of some sensual scenes, including kissing, between Kapoor and Reddy...
(1986) - Mohabbat Ki KasamMohabbat Ki KasamMohabbat Ki Kasam is a 1986 Bollywood film starring Dharmendra....
(1986) .... Radha - JaalJaalJaal may refer to:* Jaal * Jaal * Jaal * Jaal: The Trap...
(1986) - Sheesha (1986) ... Manisha Prakash
- Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) ... Rani sahiba
- Majnu (1987)
- Amar Kantak (1987)
- Maashuka (1987)
- Woh Phir Aayegi (1988)
- Be Lagaam (1988)
- Mil Gayee Manzil MujheMil Gayee Manzil MujheMil Gayee Manzil Mujhe is a 1989 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by Moreen Amjad, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Moon Moon Sen, Kalpana Iyer, Urmila Bhatt, Shakti Kapoor, Mazhar Khan, Girish Karnad and Amrish Puri.-Cast:*Mithun Chakraborty...
(1989) - Tere Bina Kya Jeena (1989)
- Ek Din AchanakEk Din AchanakEk Din Achanak is a 1989 art film directed by Mrinal Sen, based on a Bengali novel, Beej by Ramapada Chowdhury..- Synopsis :...
(1989) - Apna Desh Paraye Log (1989)
- Pathar Ke Insan (1990) ... Dancer
- LekinLekinLekin is a Hindi drama film made in 1991, loosely based on a short story by Rabindranath Tagore, and directed by Hindi lyricist Gulzar...
(1991) ... Pammi - Jeevan Ek Sangharsh (1990)
- Bahaar Aane Tak (1990) ... Renu
- 100 Days100 Days (1991 film)100 Days is a Bollywood film released in 1991 starring Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Moon Moon Sen, and Javed Jaffrey. The film is a mystery thriller that follows the adventures of a woman with Extrasensory perception. The film was doing well at the box office.- Synopsis :Inspired by the Italian...
(1991) ... Rama - Iraada (1991)
- Vishkanya (1991) ... Mrs. Sonal Vikram Singh
- Waqt Ka BadshahWaqt Ka BadshahWaqt Ka Badshah is a 1992 Bollywood film starring Dharmendra....
(1992) - Hirer AngtiHirer AngtiHirer Angti is a 1992 Bengali film by Rituporno Ghosh, starring Moon Moon Sen and Basanta Choudhury.-Plot:Gandharva Kumar's arrival disrupts the festival mood of Durga Puja at Ratanlal Babu's house. He captivates the grandchildren of Ratanlal Babu, Habul, and Tinni, with his magical tricks...
(1992) - Zakhmi Rooh (1993) ... Seema/Reema
- Zakhmi Dil (1994) ... Mala
- Kucch To HaiKucch To HaiKucch To Hai is a Bollywood horror film directed by Anurag Basu and Anil V. Kumar, while it's written by Rajeev Javehri. The film stars Tusshar Kapoor, Esha Deol, Natassha, Yash Tonk, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra and Moonmoon Sen. The film is produced under the banner of Balaji Telefilms...
(2003) ... Madam Sexena - Nil NirjaneNil NirjaneNil Nirjane is a Bengali Movie, released in 2003. This is the first movie in India which was shot on digital platform and is often credited as the first digital film in India. Directed by Subrata Sen, the movie featured Moonmoon Sen, Raima Sen, June Malliah, Mou Sultana and Rajatabha Datta...
(2003) - Love at Times SquareLove at Times SquareLove at Times Square is a 2003 Bollywood film Directed by Dev Anand Starring Dev Anand himself with Shoib Khan,Chaitanya Chaudhary and Heene Kaushik.Film had Special Appearances from Salman Khan and Rishi Kapoor.-Plot:...
(2003) ... Sweety's mother - Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love (2003)
- My Karma (2004) ... Mrs. Mullik
- It Was Raining That Night (2005)
- Bow Barracks ForeverBow Barracks Forever-Plot:Bow Barracks Forever is a film about the disaster of the human spirit. It is not easy to fight back the march of progress. And progress brings with it change-change that is often painful, that breaks continuity, that destroys tradition, history, the power and the passion of communities that...
(2007) ... Rosi
Further reading
- Shoma A. Chatterjee. "Moon Moon Sen: Back in the Spotlight", Screen (part of the Indian Express group), 24 November 2000. An article based on an interview with Moon Moon Sen, discussing her career and her private life.