Whenever you remember some of the golden cinemas of the old silver screen like Asiya, Ae Desh Tomar Amar, or Kokhono Ashe Nai, what are the characters you think made the cinemas even more evergreen? Shahana, Asiya, or Marium, are they not? Yes, you got it right. But have you ever known who was the actual mastermind behind these iconic roles? It is Sumita Devi. She is even widely recognized as the “First Lady of Bangladeshi Cinema”.
Sumita Devi is one of the first actresses on the silver screen in the history of the Bengali Film Industry. You will be surprised to know when appearing on the silver screen as a female was hard to crack, this legendary persona not just acted in Bengali Films. She even made her appearances in Urdu Films as well. Kolkata, East Pakistan, or West Pakistan, she kept her marks in almost all the film and drama sectors in both arenas. That’s the reason she is considered one of the most legendary actresses in the history of the film industry. Yet the path was not as easy as it seems. This graceful persona had to overcome several struggles to be who she was. Let’s have a look at the prominent life journey of Sumita Devi.
Life of “Sumita Devi” at a glance
Real Name: Hena Bhattacharya
Date of Birth: 2 February 1936
Place of Birth: Manikganj District, Bengal Presidency, British India
Father Name: Not Known
Mother Name: Not Known
Sibling: Not Known
Professions: Actress, filmmaker, producer
Education: Not Known
Religion: Hindu (Later converted to Islam)
Native Language: Bangla
Spouse:
- Amulya Lahiri
- Zahir Raihan (1962)
Children:
- One son and one daughter (from Amulya Lahiri)
- Two sons (from Zahir Raihan)
Favorite Hobby: Not Known
Awards and Achievements:
- All Pakistan Critic Award (1962)
- Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actress (1964)
- Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh
- Bachsas Awards for Best Actress
- Bangladesh Film Journalist Association Award
- Janakantha Gunjan and Pratibha Sammanona (2002)
- Agartala Muktijoddha Award (2002)
- Chalachitram Film Society Award (2002)
Early Life
Sumita Devi was born in a Hindu family on 2 February 1936. Her birthplace was in Manikganj District, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Bangladesh). Her parents kept her birth name, Hena Bhattacharya. But after entering on the silver screen, she became recognized as Sumita Devi.
Sumita spent her childhood in both Manikganj District and Dhaka. In 1944, she moved from Manikganj to Dhaka with her parents. As the conflict in Dhaka rose day by day, the family decided to shift somewhere far away. Later, in 1951, her family made headway to Calcutta.
Education
Sumita Devi was born in a family rich in cultural heritage. That’s the reason, from a very early age she had a severe interest in cultural sectors. Yet the actress also educated herself well. She finished her schooling at a nearby school in her locality
Career
- Matir Pahar
- Release Date: 28 August 1959
- Director: Mohiuddin Ahmed
- Writer: Syed Shamsul Haque
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Rawshan Ara, Iqbal, Sultana Zaman, Kaffey Khan
- Ae Desh Tomar Amar
- Release Date: 25 December 1959
- Director: Ehtesham
- Writer: Ehtesham, Khan Ataur Rahman
- Role: Shahana
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Khan Ataur Rahman, Subhash Dutta, Swapna Subbash, Rahman
- Akash Ar Mati
- Release Date: 1959
- Director: Fateh Lohani
- Writer: Fateh Lohani, Bidhayak Bhattacharya
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Madhuri, Fazlul Karim
- Asiya
- Release Date: 4 April 1960
- Director: Fateh Lohani
- Writer: Nazir Ahmed, Fateh Lohani
- Role: Asiya
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kazi Khaliq, Shahid, Ranen Kushari, Sitara Begum, Shirin Begum, Ruby, Misbah, Shabnam
- Kokhono Asheni
- Release Date: 24 November 1961
- Director: Zahir Raihan
- Writer: Zahir Raihan
- Role: Marium
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sanjib, Khan Ataur Rahman, Anima, Narayan Chakrabarty,
Devdas, Shahidul Haq, Shabnam, Yousuf Zahir
- Sonar Kajol
- Release Date: 29 June,1962
- Director: Kalim Sharafi, Zahir Raihan
- Role: Hasu
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Khalil, Sultana Zaman, Inam Ahmed, Zannat Goni,Subhash Dutta, Suborto Mawla
- Kancher Deyal
- Release Date: 18 January 1963
- Director: Zahir Raihan
- Writer: Zahir Raihan
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Purnima Sen, Anwar Hossain, Khan Ataur Rahman, Asia,
B.A. Malek, Inam Ahmed, Abdul Matin
- Sangam
- Release Date: 23 April 1964
- Director: Zahir Raihan
- Writer: Zahir Raihan
- Role: Shila
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Rosy Ahmed, Haroon, Khalil, Anowara, Farid Ali, Maya
Hazarika
- Eito Jibon
- Release Date: 1964
- Director: Zillur Rahim
- Writer: Zillur Rahim
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Rosy Ahmed, Rahman, Shaukat Akbar, Anwar Hossain
- Dui Diganta
- Release Date: 1964
- Director: Obaidul Haque
- Writer: Obaidul Haque
- Role: Tamanna
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Inam Ahmed, Anwar Hossain, Alamgir, Narayan
Chakrabarty, Altaf, Subhash Dutta
- Behula
- Release Date: 28 October 1966
- Director: Zahir Raihan
- Writer: Zahir Raihan, Amjad Hossain
- Role: Manasa
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Suchanda, Safdar Ali Bhuiyan, Razzak, Fateh Lahoni
- 13 Number Feku Ostagar Lane
- Release Date: 1966
- Director: Bashir Hossain
- Writer: Salauddin, Khan Joinul
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Baby Zaman, Sirajul Islam, Sujata, Anowara, Razzak,
Khan Joinul, Kamal Ahmed, Rebecca
- Apon Dulal
- Release Date: 11 November 1966
- Director: Nazrul Islam
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Nasima Khan, Azim, Shaukat Akbar, Inam Ahmed
- Ovishap
- Release Date: 1967
- Director: Rashed Asghar Chowdhury
- Writer: Keshab Chattopadhyay, Rashed Asghar Chowdhury
- Role: Nasima
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Anwar Hossain, Shaukat Akbar, Farid Ali, Chashi Nazrul
Islam, Zahir Chowdhury, Kalidas, Rebecca
- Alibaba
- Release Date: 19 October 1967
- Director: Nazrul Islam
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kalpona, Inam Ahmed, Sirajul Islam, Sujata, Samad
- Oporajeo
- Release Date: 24 March 1967
- Director: M.A. Hamid
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Anwar Hossain, Razzak, Aminul Haque, Sujata, Sirajul
Islam
- Agun Niye Khela
- Release Date: 22 March 1967
- Director: Amjad Hossain, Nurul Haque Bachchu
- Writer: Amjad Hossain
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Razzak, Sujata, Shaukat Akbar, Fateh Lahoni, Amjad
Hossain
- Ballyo Bandhu
- Release Date: 16 August 1968
- Director: Amjad Hossain
- Role: Sumita
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Swapon, Sanchita, Fateh Lohani, Sabita, Rubina, Amjad
Hossain
- Momer Alo
- Release Date: 1688
- Director: Mustafa Mehmood
- Writer: Romena Afaz
- Role: Sufia (Hasan’s mother)
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sujata, Shaukat Akbar, Ansar, Dilip Biswas, Sirajul
Islam, Fateh Lohani, Rawshan Nabi, Manjoshri, Anal Raihan
- Oporichita
- Release Date: 29 November 1968
- Director: Syed Mohammad Awal
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Anwar Hossain
- Mayar Songsar
- Release Date: 24 August 1969
- Director: Mustafa Mehmood
- Writer: Mustafa Mehmood
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sujata, Sarkar Kabir Uddin, Ansar, Shaukat Akbar
- Surjo Uthar Age
- Release Date: 9 January 1970
- Director: Nazmul Huda Mintu
- Role: Sumita
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sujata, Altaf, Azim, Reshma, Ehsaan
- Notun Probhat
- Release Date: 23 October 1970
- Director: Mustafa Mehmood
- Writer: Ashish Kumar Loho
- Cast: Ansar, Nuton, Sumita Devi, Dilip Biswas, Anwar Hossain, Jarina, Sirajul
Islam, Hashmot
- Monimala
- Release Date: 6 February 1970
- Director: Dilip Shom
- Cast: Kaberi, Sumita Devi, Shammi, Anwar Hossain, Sirajul Islam
- Adorsho Chhapakanna
- Release Date: 27 February 1970
- Director: Mustafa Mehmood
- Writer: Abdus Sattar
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sujata, Hashmot, Abdul Jalil, Khan Joinul, Sultana
- Ora 11 Jon
- Release Date: 11 August 1972
- Director: Chashi Nazrul Islam
- Writer: Kazi Aziz Ahmed, A.T.M. Shamsuzzaman, Al Masud
- Role: Khosru’s mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Khosru, Murad, Baby Zaman, Nantu, Ata, Abu, Monju,
Helaluddin, Shabana, Razzak, Syed Hasan Imam, Nuton, Raju Ahmed
- Somadhan
- Release Date: 11 February 1972
- Director: Azizur Rahman
- Role: Mrs. Fazlul Alam Chowdhury
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Rosy Samad, Ujjal, Anwar Hossain, Sultana,
Sirajul Islam, Subhash Dutta.
- Lalon Fakir
- Release Date: 1972
- Director: Syed Hasan Imam
- Writer: Syed Hasan Imam, Askar Ibne Shaikh
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabari Sarwar, Ujjal, Raju Ahmed, Anwar Hossain, Altaf,
Sujata, Shaukat Akbar
- Rangbaaz
- Release Date: 1973
- Director: Zahirul Haque
- Writer: Zahirul Haque
- Role: Raja’s mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Razzak, Kamal Ahmed, Kabori Sarwar, Raju Ahmed, Azim
- Shopno Diye Ghera
- Release Date: 1973
- Director: Hashmot
- Writer: Hashmot, A.T.M. Shamsuzzaman
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kobita, Razzak, Golam Mustafa, Shaukat Akbar, Sharbari
Das Gupta, Bilkis Bari
- Amar Jonmobhumi
- Release Date: 24 October 1973
- Director: Alamgir Kumkum
- Writer: Ashish Kumar Loho, Alamgir Kumkum
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabori Sarwar, Razzak, Alamgir, Mahhfuzur Rahman, Minu
Rahman, Javed Rahim, Saifuddin
- Utshorgo
- Release Date: 12 April 1974
- Director: Akbar Kabir
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Azim, Ujjal, Shaukat Akbar, Golam Mustafa,
Khalil, Hashmot, Altaf
- Sujon Sokhi
- Release Date: 1975
- Director: Khan Ataur Rahman
- Writer: Khan Ataur Rahman, Amjad Hossain
- Role: Sujon’s Mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabori Sarwar, Farooque, Khan Ataur Rahman, Rawshan
Jamil, Inam Ahmed, Minu Rahman, Sharbari Das Gupta
- Daak Peon
- Release Date: 31 October 1975
- Director: Nazmul Huda Mintu
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabori Sarwar, Narayan Chakrabarti, Razzak, Khan Joinul
- Epar Opar
- Release Date: 1975
- Director: Sohel Rana
- Writer: Ali Imam, Sohel Rana, Ahmad Zaman Chowdhury
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sohel Rana, Altaf, Soma Mukherjee, Sharbari Das Gupta,
Jashim, Aminul Haque, Khalil, Rabiul, Putul, Maya Hazarika
- Ovagi
- Release Date:
- Director: Hafiz Uddin
- Writer: Hafiz Uddin, Ashish Kumar Loho
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Adil, Razzak, Shaukat Akbar, Rawshan Ali,
Anowara, Syed Akhtar Ali, Jahanara Bhuiyan, Narayan Chakrabarti
- Mayar Badhon
- Release Date: 27 February 1976
- Director: Mustafizul Haque
- Writer: Mustafizul Haque, Ahmad Zaman Chowdhury
- Role: Zohra Khala
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Shaukat Akbar, Razzak, Akhtar Hossain, Shah
Jahan, Monjur Hossain
- Gunda
- Release Date: 6 August 1976
- Director: Alamgir Kumkum
- Writer: Alamgir Kumkum, Ashish Kumar Loho
- Role: Sultana’s Grandmother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabori Sarwar, Khalil, Razzak, Ronju Ahmed, Farid Ali,
Alamgir, Poran Babu, Chandona, Narayan Chakraborti
- Dossu Bonhur
- Release Date: 30 July 1976
- Director: Sarothi
- Writer: Mahmud Parvez, Shahidul Amin, Romena Afaz
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Sohel Rana, Raz, Kalpona, Jubair Alam, Sharbari Das
Gupta, Habib, Mahbub Khan, Jillu, Dildar, Manjur Rahi
- Agun
- Release Date: 2 December 1976
- Director: Mohsin
- Cast: Razzak, Sumita Devi, Shabana, Sharmili Ahmed, Baby Zaman, Shiplu,
Khalil
- Garmil
- Release Date:
- Director: Azizur Rahman
- Writer: Gazi Mazharul Anwar
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Babir, Ujjal, Narayan Chakrabart, Sharbari Das
Gupta, Syed Hasan Imam
- Ferari
- Release Date:
- Director: Mostafa Anwar
- Writer: Ashish Kumar Loho, Gazi Mazharul Anwar
- Cast: Shabana, Sumita Devi, Zafar Iqbal, Darashiko, Anwar Hossain, Maloti
Dey, Halima, Sharbari Das Gupta, Mahbub Khan, Khan Joinul, Misbah
- Jadur Bashi
- Release Date: 30 December 1977
- Director: Abdul Latif Bachchu
- Writer: Ahmad Zaman Chowdhury
- Role: Pakhi’s Grandmother
- Cast: Suchorita, Sumita Devi, Apu Sarwar, Bulbul Ahmed, Razzak, Shabana
- Surjo Konna
- Release Date: 1977
- Director: Alamgir Kabir
- Writer: Alamgir Kabir
- Role: Lenin’s mother
- Cast: Bulbul Ahmed, Sumita Devi, Rajasree Bose, Jaysree Kabir, Golam Mustafa
- Alankar
- Release Date: 1978
- Director: Narayan Ghosh Mita
- Writer: Zakaur Rahman, Narayan Ghosh Mita
- Role: Nilu’s Mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Nuton, Razzak, Prabir Mitra, Anwar Hossain
- Jonmo Theke Jolchi
- Release Date: 11 December 1981
- Director: Amjad Hossain
- Writer: Kazi Morshed, Amjad Hossain
- Role: Landlady
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Bulbul Ahmed, Bobita, Master Shamim, Anowara
- Naat Bou
- Release Date: 11 November 1982
- Director: Chotku Ahmed
- Writer: Chotku Ahmed
- Role: Gulbadan Banu
- Cast: Razzak, Sumita Devi, Bobita, Golam Mustafa, Nuton, Prabir Mitra
- Rajanigandha
- Release Date: 1982
- Director: Kamal Ahmed
- Writer: Ismail Mohammad
- Role: Asad’s mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Shabana, Razzak, Alamgir, Anjana Sultana, Ayesha Akhtar
- Devdas
- Release Date: 1982
- Director: Chashi Nazrul Islam
- Writer: Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay, Chashi Nazrul Islam
- Role: Devdas’s mother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Kabori Sarwar, Anwar Hossain, Anowara, Golam Mustafa
- Aar Paar
- Release Date: 5 May 1985
- Director: Shakti Samantha
- Writer: Pradeep Roy Chowdhury, Shanu Banerjee, Shaktipada Rajguru
- Role: Ghanshyam’s mother
- Cast: Mithun Chakraborty, Sumita Devi, Rozina, Golam Mustafa, Nuton
- Moha Milon
- Release Date: August 1995
- Director: Dilip Shom
- Writer: Joseph Satabdi, Dilip Shom, Zafar Ahmed Chowdhury
- Role: Zahid’s mother
- Cast: Shabnur, Sumita Devi, Salman Shah, Farid Ali, Syed Akhtar Ali, Bobita
- Moumachi
- Release Date:
- Director: Ehtesham
- Writer: Ehtesham
- Cast: Shabnur, Sumita Devi, Bulbul Ahmed, Imran, Shams, Anwar Hossain
- Chitra Nodir Pare
- Release Date: 1999
- Director: Tanvir Mokammel
- Writer: Tanvir Mokammel
- Cast: Afsana Mimi, Sumita Devi, Tauqir Ahmed, Uttam Guha, Rawshan Zamil
- Phulkumar
- Release Date: 12 March 2003
- Director: Ashique Mostafa
- Writer: Shahidul Zahir, Nurul Alam Atique
- Role: Grandmother
- Cast: Sumita Devi, Zain Zafar, Parvin Kona, Azad Abul Kalam, Shatabdi Wadud, Tareque Shahrirar, Sonia Zafar, Sheuli Ahmed
Contributions, Awards and Achievements
The “First Lady of Bangladeshi Cinema” has been honored with a number of awards and achievements in her prominent film journey. Those were the days when approaching films was a dreamy dream for many. During that dreamy period, this legend started to get awards for her incredible acting performances.
In 1962, Sumita Devi got her first ever achievement, the “All Pakistan Critic Award”. After two years, Sumita Devi was honored again with the “Nigar Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1964. In 2002, she received back to back awards for her great contribution to the Liberation War of Bangladesh “Agartala Muktijoddha Award” and “Janakantha Gunijan and Pratibha Sammanona”. Besides she was conferred with several awards and nominations such as “Television Reporters Association of Bangladesh Award”, “Bangladesh Film Journalist Association Award” and so on. Despite having such a prestigious life, she was a person with a golden heart in her personal life.
Personal Life
Just like being an incredible actress, Sumita Devi was an ideal wife and mother as well. She first tied the knot with Amulya Lahiri. Regretfully, their marriage did not last long. After some years, the couple got separated because of some unknown reason. She is claimed to have one son and one daughter from Amulya Lahiri.
After her divorce, she again got married to Zahir Raihan in 1962. The couple met in a shooting spot for the first time while filming a movie. Soon, they fell in love and decided to get married. Sumita Devi even converted to Islam during their marriage. Zahir Raihan kept her beloved’s name, Nilufar Begum. Though she was mostly known as Sumita Devi even after her conversion.
This beautiful couple were blessed with two sons named Anal and Bipul. Even being such a gentle and graceful personality, Sumita Devi also got controversies as well.
Controversies
During Sumita Devi and Zahir Raihan’s marriage, both of them became a topic on the tea table. Some even seemed to claim her relationship with Zahir Raihan to be the reason for Sumita Devi’s broken marriage. However, the couple did not pay heed to any gossip. In fact, both of them carried their incredibly successful journey holding together.
But the darkness overwhelmed Sumita as her beloved disappeared in 1972. As he never returned, he was considered to be killed during the Liberation War. During that tragic moment, the Bangladesh government supported her by allotting a house of about 7.5 kathas in Mohammadpur, Dhaka. After losing her soulmate, Sumita Devi decided to walk on the path of her beloved’s dream. That’s why, she continued her life journey by dedicating herself to the betterment of Bengali cinemas.
Legacy
Sumita Devi was a personality who remarked herself through her immense fame when no one even thought to dream of stepping into the film industry. This graceful lady has stunned the audience with all her outstanding acting skills. Her hard work and great effort made her worthy of a number of prestigious awards and achievements throughout her acting career. Her courage to stand with the freedom fighters during the whole war when none even dared to come out from their home, made her even more prominent. In her entire career, Sumita Devi made her appearances in nearly 150 radio and TV dramas and more than 200 films which is like a milestone for any actress.
Conclusion
Sumita Devi is one of the most eminent ladies the Bengali Film Industry will ever have. Her 45 years of vast career has enriched the industry with a number of notable films. The way she acted and showered her grace has truly stunned the audience. Heroine, mother, or grandmother, no matter which character she played, was always in the eye of the audience in those 2 hours. That’s the reason she is considered just like a gem of the Bengali Film Industry. She is such a crucial part that it makes no difference how long time passes, she will always be in the core of the hearts of her fans.