Supriya Choudhury (8 January 1935 – 26 January 2018) was an Indian Bengali actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema for more than 50 years.

She is best known for her portrayal of Neeta in Ritwik Ghatak's Bengali film Megha Dhaka Tara (1960). She is considered as one of the most aphrodisiac sirens of Indian cinema and was often compared to her contemporary Hollywood legend Sophia Loren. She has been conferred upon with a Filmfare Award and the BFJA Award for two times. In 2011, she received the Banga-Vibhushan, the highest civilian honour in West Bengal. In 2014, She was awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India, the fourth highest civilian award in India, for her contributions to the entertainment industry.

She made her debut in Uttam Kumar starrer Basu Paribar(1952) under the direction of Nirmal Dey and successively appeared in Prarthana (1952) directed by Pranab Ray and Shyamali (1952) directed by Binoy Bandyopadhyay. She, then took a hiatus and returned to filmdom in Marmabani (1958) under Sushil Majumdar's direction. She rose to prominence after she had appeared in the Uttam Kumar starrer blockbuster Sonar Harin (1959) directed by Mangal Chakraborty. At the beginning of 1960s, she came to a bigger attention for her successive roles in films such as Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960), Shuno Baranari (1960), Komal Gandhar (1961), Swaralipi(1961) to name a few. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Dharmendra in Begaana (1963) under Sadashiv Rao Kavi's direction. Her demise in the early hours of January 26, 2018 due to a cardiac arrest was mourned by the entire film industry.

Early life

Supriya was born in Myitkyina, Burma. Her father was Gopal Chandra Banerjee, a lawyer. He is from Faridpur (now in Bangladesh). During World War II, her family moved to Calcutta (now in India).

Supriya was seven years old when she made her acting début in two plays directed by her father. She was a dancer since her childhood, even receiving an award from Thakin Nu, the then Prime Minister of Burma, who was moved by one of her dance recitals. From her childhood, her closest friend was Nihar Dutta, who married into the Guha Thakurata Family and became Mrs. Nihar Guha Thakurata, an eminent Social Worker of Burma of her time.

In 1948, the Bannerjees left Burma for good and re-settled in Calcutta. They had been refugees in 1942 when the Japanese forces occupied Burma. The young Supriya and her family were forced to undertake an arduous trek on foot to the safety of Calcutta.

Career

In Calcutta, she resumed her dance lessons and trained under Guru Muruthappan Pillai and later under Guru Prahlad Das. Supriya and her family were on friendly terms with Chandrabati Devi who was their neighbour. It was through Chandrabati Devi's inspiration and contacts that Supriya Choudhury stepped into the world of Bengali films. She made her debut in Uttam Kumar starrer Basu Paribar (1952) under the direction of Nirmal Dey and successively appeared in Prarthana (1952) directed by Pranab Ray and Shyamali (1952) directed by Binoy Bandyopadhyay. She, then took a hiatus and returned to filmdom in Marmabani (1958) under Sushil Majumdar's direction. She rose to prominence after she had appeared in the Uttam Kumarstarrer blockbuster Sonar Harin (1959) directed by Mangal Chakraborty. She rose to higher prominence after she had played the role of Amrapali in Amrapali (1959) directed by Sree Tarashankar and produced by Nalanda Films. Vyjayanthimala who was later found to play the same titular role was full of praise for her performance in the film. At the beginning of 1960s, she came to a bigger attention for her successive roles in films such as Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960), Shuno Baranari (1960), Komal Gandhar (1961), Swaralipi(1961) to name a few. She made her Bollywood debut opposite Dharmendra in Begaana (1963) under Sadashiv Rao Kavi's direction. She was applauded for her performance in the 1973 blockbuster Sanyasi Raja. She was applauded for her performance in Raja Sen's National Award winning Bengali film Atmiyo Swajan (1998). Rediff described her performance in the film as "a fairly good fleshing out Supriya Devi".

Personal life

In 1954, Supriya married Bishwanath Choudhury and a few years later her only daughter Soma was born. She retired from films for a while before returning in the late 1950s. Later she lived together with Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Supriya died on 26 January 2018 from a heart attack in Kolkata, aged 85.

Filmography

1. The Namesake (2006)... Ashima's Grandmother
2. Arjun Aamar Naam (2003)
3. Ekti Nadir Naam (2002)
4. Shesh Thikana (2000)... Sriradha's grandmother
5. Honeymoon (1992)
6. Iman Kalyan (1982)
7. Kalankini Kankabati]] (1981)
8. Mon Niye (1981)
9. Dui Prithibi (1980)
10. Debdas (1979)... Chandramukhi
11. Dui Purush (1978)... Bimala
12. Sandhya Raag (1977)
13. Sabyasachi (1977)
14. Sanyasi Raja (1975)
15. Jadi Jantem (1974)... Sujata
16. Bagh Bandi Khela (1975)
17. Raktatilak (1975)... Binata
18. Bon Palashir Padabali (1973)... Padma
19. Bilambita Loy (1970)
20. Duti Mon (1969)
21. Chiradiner (1969)
22. Mon Niye (1969)
23. Sabarmati (1969) Hiren Nag Chhaya Debi
24. Chowringhee (1968)... Karabi Guha
25. Teen Adhayay (1968)
26. Kal Tumi Aleya (1966)... Dr. Labanya Sarkar
27. Shudhu Ekti Bachhar (1966)
28. Aap Ki Parchhaiyan (1964)... Asha
29. Door Gagan Ki Chhaon Mein (1964)... Meera
30. Lal Pathar (1964)
31. Begaana (1963)
32. Surya Sikha (1963)
33. Uttarayan (1963)
34. Komal Gandhar (1961)... Ansuya
35. Madhya Rater Tara (1961)
36. Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960)... Nita
37. Natun Fasal (1960)
38. Suno Baranari (1960)
39. Sonar Harin (1959)
40. Basu Paribar (1952)... Sukhen's Sister

Award

• Won- Filmfare East Award- Lifetime Achievement Award
• Won-Padmashri-the fourth highest civilian award for her contribution to Indian Cinema.
• Won- Banga-Vibhushan - the highest civilian award in West Bengal in 2011.
• BFJA Award-Best Actress Award for "Tin Adhay" in 1969.
• BFJA Award-Best Supporting Actress Award for "Chhinnapatra" in 1973.