Veteran Bengali actor Basanti Chatterjee, known for her work in more than 100 films, passed away at her residence on Tuesday night, her family confirmed. She was 88 and had been suffering from cancer for a long time.
In a career spanning over five decades, Chatterjee starred in critically acclaimed and popular films such as Thagini, Manjari Opera, and Alo. She was also a familiar face on television, appearing in hit serials like Bhutu, Boron, and Durga Durgeshari.
Condolences Pour In for Celebrated Actor
Condoling her demise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee posted on X, “Her death is an irreparable loss to the world of cinema and stage. My deepest condolence to her next of kin.”
প্রবীণ টেলিভিশন অভিনেত্রী বাসন্তী চট্টোপাধ্যায়ের প্রয়াণে আমি গভীরভাবে শোকাহত। তাঁর মৃত্যুতে আমাদের শিল্প ও বিনোদনের জগতে এক অপূরণীয় ক্ষতি হল।
আমি তাঁর পরিবার, বন্ধুবান্ধব এবং অনুরাগীদের প্রতি সমবেদনা জানাই।
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 13, 2025
According to the West Bengal Motion Picture Artists’ Forum, Chatterjee had spent months in the ICCU of a hospital before being discharged, as doctors advised she be cared for at home under the supervision of nurses. Her final television role was in Gita LLB, during the filming of which she fell seriously ill.
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Actor Bhaswar Chatterjee, paying tribute, said, “She had been experiencing a lot of physical pain lately,” adding that despite her failing health and advanced age, “her craft was irreplaceable.”
Chatterjee was also a regular in stage productions during her younger years, leaving a lasting impact on Bengal’s cultural landscape.
