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Aparna Sen

Aparna Sen

Actor, director and writer · Born October 25, 1945 (81) · Calcutta, West Bengal, India

Aparna Sen is an Indian filmmaker, screenwriter and actress who is known for her work in Bengali cinema. A leading actress of the late 1960s and 1970s she has received eight BFJA Awards, five for best actress, two for best supporting actress and one for lifetime achievement. She is the winner of three National Film Awards and nine international film festival awards for her direction in films. She was awarded the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award, by the government of India in 1987. Sen made her debut in Teen Kanya (1961) and received her success with Aparichito (1969). She went on to establish herself as a leading actress of Bengali Cinema with the films Aranyer Din Ratri (1970), Ekhane Pinjar (1971), Jay Jayanti (1971), Memshaheb (1972), Jiban Saikate (1972), Basanta Bilap (1973), Sonar Khancha (1973), Sujata (1974), Alor Thikana (1974), Kajallata (1975), Raag Anuraag (1975), Jana Aranya (1976), Ajasra Dhanyobad (1977), Proxy (1977), Mohonar Dike (1984), Ekanto Apon (1987), Swet Patharer Thala (1992). She also garnered critical acclaim for her work in Indira (1984), Kari Diye Kinlam (1989), Ek Din Achanak (1999), Mahaprithibi (1991), Unishe April (1995), Paromitar Ek Din (2000), Titli (2001), Antaheen (2009), Chatushkon (2014). In addition to acting in films, Sen has also been directing films since 1981, starting with 36 Chowringhee Lane for which she won National Film Award (India) for Best Director. She went on to achieve further success in direction with films Paroma, Sati, Yugant, Paromitar Ek Din, Mr. and Mrs. Iyer, 15 Park Avenue, The Japanese Wife, Iti Mrinalini, Goynar Baksho. She won her second National Film Award as a director for Mr. and Mrs. Iyer. Description above from the Wikipedia article Aparna Sen, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 25, 1945 (81)
From
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
Works as
Actor, director and writer
Titles
6 on MovieCove · 83 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Down 25% in 30 days

What are Aparna Sen's films like?

Across their 6 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
49%
Self
26%
Survival
10%
Society
7%
Ideas
6%
Morality
3%
Family bonds4 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Dark: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their dark movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 0 · Serious 3 · Dark 3

Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 6 · Stylized 0 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 1

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 4 · Shifting 2 · Whiplash 0

Straight-faced: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their straight-faced movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 0 · Funny 0

Slow burn: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their slow burn movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 4 · Even-paced 2 · Relentless 0

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 1

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 1 · Affecting 2 · Heavy 3

Open-ended: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their open-ended movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 2 · Open-ended 4 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

3 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 2 of 3 analyzed roles.

Hero
2 of 3
Mentor
1 of 3

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Melancholic
6
Tense
4
Bittersweet
2
Contemplative
1
Hopeful
1
Other
1

How their films linger

Bittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Bittersweet4
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Aparna Sen's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 3 of their 6 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Aparna Sen's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

83 credits, 6 with a MovieCove page; 5 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Ei Raat Tomar Amaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2025)

    as Jayita Gupta

  • Padatik (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as file footage

  • The Rapist (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2021)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Bohomaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Ghawre Bairey Aaj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Basu Paribaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Actor

  • Ahaa Re (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2019)

    Thanks

  • Ek Je Chhilo Raja(2018)

    as Lawyer

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Sonata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Aruna

  • A Death in the Gunj(2016)

    as Aparna Chatterjee (Voice)

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all films

  • Arshinagar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Screenplay

  • The Last Poem (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    as Voice narrator female

  • All Night Long (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Chotushkone (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    as Trina

  • The Jewellery Box (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Director · Lyricist · Screenplay

  • Iti Mrinalini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Mrinalini Mitra

  • The Japanese Wife(2010)

    Director · Screenplay

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Antaheen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    as Paro

  • 15 Park Avenue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Mr. and Mrs. Iyer (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Titli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    as Urmila Chatterjee

  • Ghaath (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Suman Pandey

  • House of Memories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Sanaka

  • Asukh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as Recitation (voice)

  • Yugant (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Unishe April(1994)

    as Sarojini 'Babli' Gupta

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Amodini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    Actor

  • Shet Patharer Thala (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Bandana

  • Ananya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Actor

  • World Within, World Without (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Daughter-in-Law

  • Sati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director · Screenplay

  • Ek Din Achanak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Aparna Choudhary

  • Jar Je Priya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Actor

  • Picnic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Director

  • Ekanta Apan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Devika (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Shyam Saheb(1986)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Parama (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Director · Screenplay · Story · as Sheila

  • Bisha Briksha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Mohonar Dike (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Indira (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Actor

  • Quest for the Pitcher of Nectar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Spandan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Bijoyini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Chiroshri Roychowdhury

  • 36 Chowringhee Lane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Director · Screenplay · Story

  • Pikoo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Pikoo's Mother

  • Shipwreck (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Kamala

  • Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie's Pictures (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Bonnie

  • Kotwal Saab (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Immaan Dharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Shyamlee

  • Nidhiram Sardar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Jamini

  • The Middleman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Somnath's ex-girlfriend

  • Nishimrigaya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Chhutir Phande (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Sagina (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Secretary Vishaka Devi

  • Jadu Bangsha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Alor Thikana (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Deepika Ganguly

  • Asati(1974)

    as Soma Chowdhary

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Shesh Prishthay Dekhun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Sonar Khancha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Rater Rajanigandha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Kaya Hiner Kahini (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Basanta Bilap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Anuradha

  • Mem Saheb (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Kajal Bandyopadhyay

  • Jiban Saikate - Life on the Beach (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Bilet Pherat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Naikar Bhumikay (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    Actor

  • Khunje Berai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Seema

  • Ekhonee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Urmi

  • Jay Jayanti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Jayanti Bose

  • Ekhane Pinjar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Neela Chatterjee

  • Bombay Talkie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Mala

  • Padma Golap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Rita Mukherjee / Sharoma

  • Kalankita Nayak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Days and Nights in the Forest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Hari's former lover

  • Baksa Badal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Minu

  • Aparichito (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Sunita Nag

  • The Guru (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Ghazala

  • Vishwas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Radha Bannerjee

  • Hangshamithun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Up in the Clouds (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Monica Bose (Moni)

  • Three Daughters (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Mrinmoyee "Pagli" (segment "The Conclusion")

  • Welcome To Khoya Mahal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 70th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles, 82 of them dated from 1961 to 2025; peak year 2015.

Biggest box office

The Japanese Wife (2010)

$68K worldwide

Highest rated

Unishe April (1994)

Midcredits 95th

Most popular right now

The Japanese Wife (2010)

Film career

19612025

Peak 2015 · at the high point of their film career. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1970Screen debut· Days and Nights in the Forest

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting70 of 83: 66 only acting, 4 with another role · typical Midcredits score89thDirecting16 of 83: 1 only directing, 15 with another roleWriting15 of 83: 0 only writing, 15 with another roleOther crew1 of 83: 1 only other crew, 0 with another role

83 titles, 15 with more than one role — acting and directing overlap on 4 of them.

By decade

1960s6 · acting1970s30 · acting1980s16 · 13 acting · 4 crew1990s7 · 6 acting · 1 crew2000s6 · 4 acting · 3 crew2010s14 · 8 acting · 8 crew2020s3 · 2 acting · 1 crew

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored.

How do Aparna Sen's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 90th percentile, the median of all 6; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 86th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

86thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

89thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

37thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 6 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up4
  • 50th to 74th1
  • 25th to 49th1

Shape of the crowd

2 of their 6 titles are Universally Loved.

  • Universally Loved2
  • Divisive1
  • Crowd Pleaser2
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

Shyam Saheb (1986)

90th percentile spread · 40% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Unishe April (1994)

Midcredits 95th · 85% liked

Reviewers score the acting 82/100 in their films, across 4 reviewed titles; fans 88, detractors 51. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Aparna Sen work with?

People who share at least 2 of Aparna Sen's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Salil Dutta shares the most, 2.

Directors

Actors

Composers