# Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen dies at 71 in Kolkata hospital

2026-08-16T09:22:33+00:00 | Entertainment | Indian Opinion Desk

Corroboration: 5 independent outlets

Veteran Bengali filmmaker Raja Sen, a three-time National Film Award winner, died on Sunday at SSKM Hospital in Kolkata after a prolonged illness. He was 71, though the Times of India puts his age at 70. A senior doctor at the hospital said Sen had multiple complications involving his lungs, heart and kidneys and was on ventilator support. Sen made his feature debut with 'Damu' in 1996, which won the National Film Award for Best Children's Film. He also won the National Award for Best Film on Family Welfare for 'Atmiyo Swajan' and for Best Arts/Cultural Film for his documentary on Rabindra Sangeet exponent Suchitra Mitra. Sen directed several other films including 'Desh', 'Laboratory', and 'Maya Mridanga', and adapted works like 'Adarsha Hindu Hotel' and 'Arogya Niketan' for television.

## Coverage

- economictimes.indiatimes.com <https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/india/veteran-filmmaker-raja-sen-dies-at-71-after-prolonged-illness/articleshow/133271588.cms>
- indiatvnews.com <https://www.indiatvnews.com/entertainment/news/raja-sen-national-award-winning-filmmaker-dies-at-71-2026-08-16-1051525>
- newindianexpress.com <https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2026/Aug/16/bengali-filmmaker-raja-sen-dies-at-71-after-prolonged-illness>
- timesnownews.com <https://www.timesnownews.com/entertainment-news/bollywood/national-award-winner-raja-sen-passes-away-at-71-article-155692767>
- timesofindia.indiatimes.com <https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/raja-sen-passes-away-at-70-three-time-national-award-winning-bengali-filmmaker-passes-away-after-battling-age-related-ailments/articleshow/133272156.cms>

This story was synthesised by AI from the 5 sources linked above.
Updated: this story now draws on 5 sources. Last updated 2026-08-16T09:56:11+00:00.

Tags: Bengali cinema, Damu, Kolkata, Raja Sen, SSKM Hospital
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