Veteran Bengali actress Mithu Mukherjee, who was a prominent screen presence in Bengali cinema during the 1970s and 1980s, has passed away at the age of 71 in Mumbai, according to reports. The actress, known for films including Marjina Abdulla, Mouchak and Nishikanya, reportedly died at a private hospital on Sunday night after battling cancer for nearly a year. She had largely stayed away from the public eye in her later years.
Mithu Mukherjee dies after prolonged illness
According to reports, Mithu Mukherjee breathed her last at a private hospital in Mumbai on Sunday night. The actress had reportedly been undergoing treatment for cancer for close to a year. Mithu had maintained a low profile in the later part of her life and largely remained away from the entertainment industry. Her death marks the passing of an actress who was closely associated with a significant period in Bengali cinema.
Prosenjit Chatterjee and AICWA pay tribute
Following news of her death, tributes began pouring in from the film fraternity. Bengali actor Prosenjit Chatterjee remembered Mithu in a post on X.“The news of Mithu Mukhopadhyay’s passing is extremely heartbreaking. Her memory and her work will live on forever among us. With deepest respects,” he wrote.The All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) also paid tribute to the veteran actress, remembering her contribution to Indian cinema.“Her contribution to Indian cinema and her memorable performances will continue to be remembered by audiences and the film fraternity. All Indian Cine Workers Association (AICWA) pays its heartfelt tribute to the legendary actress. May her soul rest in peace,” the association said in its social media post.
Mithu Mukherjee’s early life and Bengali film debut
Born in Kolkata in 1955, Mithu Mukherjee entered the Bengali film industry at the age of 17. She made her acting debut with Chitta Bose’s ‘Shesh Parba’ in 1972, opposite Shamit Bhanja. Her breakthrough came with Dinen Gupta’s ‘Marjina Abdulla’, in which she played the titular character. The film established her as a leading actress and helped her build a strong following among Bengali audiences.
Working with Uttam Kumar , Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Ranjit Mullick
During her career, Mithu Mukherjee shared screen space with several leading actors of Bengali cinema, including Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chattopadhyay and Ranjit Mullick. Her notable Bengali films include ‘Nishikanya’, ‘Mouchak’, ‘Kabi’, ‘Hotel Snow Fox’, ‘Pratima’, ‘Bandhan’ and ‘Prarthana’. Her performances during this period established her as a familiar face in Bengali films of the era.
Mithu Mukherjee’s Hindi film career
Mithu also ventured into Hindi cinema in 1976 with Dulal Guha’s ‘Khaan Dost’. She subsequently appeared in films including Basu Chatterjee’s ‘Safed Jhoot’, ‘Dillagi’ and ‘Do Ladke Dono Kadke’. Although her career was predominantly associated with Bengali cinema, her Hindi film appearances brought her work to a wider audience.
Her final film and life away from the spotlight
After appearing in ‘Dujane’ in the 1980s, Mithu Mukherjee took an extended break from acting. She returned to the screen in 1990 with Chandra Barot’s ‘Ashrita’, which became her final film appearance. She subsequently chose to lead a private life away from the film industry and had reportedly been living in Mumbai for several years.
