Kolkata, Feb 17 (UNI) Renowned Bengali actress Anjana Bhowmick died at a private hospital here on Saturday after a prolonged illness.
She was 79 and is survived by her two daughters, and son-in-laws.
Bhowmick, who entertained the Bengali films for nearly two and half decades with her debut film Anustup Chanda in 1968, was admitted to a private hospital in the city on Friday due to respiratory-related trouble.
The Veteran actress acted in 16 movies in lead roles, many of them with Uttam Kumar, and made her last appearance in Nishibhar in 1987.
Kokhono Megh, (1968), Chowringhee (1968), Nayika Sangbad (1967), Thana Theke Aschi (1965), Roudra Chhaya, and Rajadrohi were some of the box office hit movies she acted in lead roles with Uttam Kumar, who was known as Mayanayak.
Emerging as a beacon of talent in the golden era of Bengali cinema, Anjana Bhowmick became synonymous with versatility and expressiveness.
Bhowmik was born in Cooch Behar ( North Bengal). Her real name was Arati Bhowmik and her nickname was Babli. She made her film debut at the age of 20 in the 1964 film “Anustup Chanda” directed by Pijush Bose.
Before the release of the film, she changed her name to Anjana from Arati. She became popular with the release of her first film. Her acting talent was praised by both audiences and critics. She became one of the major heroines of Uttam Kumar.
She and Uttam Kumar gave major hits like Chowringhee, “Kokhono Megh”, “Nayika Sangbad”, “Roudra Chhaya”, and “Raj Drohi”. At a certain time in her career when critics said that she wouldn’t be successful without Uttam Kumar as hero, she paired with Soumitra Chattopadhyay in the highly acclaimed “Mahashweta”.