Kolkata: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said the death of veteran actress Suchitra Sen today marked the end of a legend. Sen, 82, died today morning after a massive heart attack. The reclusive star had been ailing for a long time.
"Today is a sad day for all of us. With her passing away we have lost a colossal figure," Banerjee who rushed to the hospital on hearing the news, said.
"Her family wants a quiet funeral arrangement for her. We need your cooperation to respect their wish," she said. She appealed to everybody to respect the family's wish and maintain peace.
Sen's funeral will take place at Keoratala Crematorium in south Kolkata and a gun salute will be accorded to the legendary actress, she said.
Banerjee, who used to regularly visit the hospital to enquire about Sen's condition, was the first public figure whom the recluse actress had met after 35 years. "She was alert yesterday and could recognise everybody," the Chief Minister said.
She died in peace, Banerjee said. "The actress had kept herself away from the public for over three decades. This is unique as most of the people now seek publicity and want to bask in the limelight," the Chief Minister said.
Banerjee said she had the rare opportunity to see Sen from very close in her last days and on the second day when she had gone to meet the ailing actress, Sen had asked, "Are you related to me?"
Even her attending doctors are saddened by her death, the CM said. The West Bengal had awarded the actress with the prestigious Banga Vibhushan award, Banerjee said. She had visited Belle Vue Clinic during Sen's hospitalisation but respecting her privacy went away without meeting her on the first day.
Learning about her visit, Sen had expressed the desire to meet Banerjee after which she rushed to the hospital and met her personally. Later she paid several visits to the hospital during Sen's stay.
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