Sumita Devi remains one of the most unforgettable figures in the history of Bangladeshi cinema. Among the select few women who blazed a trail in the nation’s film industry, she distinguished herself not only as a celebrated actress but also as a courageous freedom fighter and a successful film producer. Her life and work constitute a luminous chapter in the cultural, cinematic, and liberation history of Bangladesh.
Born on 2 February 1936 in the village of Dakshin Khalli, Manikganj, Sumita Devi—originally named Hena Bhattacharya—belonged to a prominent family. Upon her cinematic debut, the legendary director Fateh Lohani renamed her Sumita, a name that would become synonymous with excellence in Bengali cinema.
In 1962, she married the short-lived filmmaker Zahir Raihan and was also known as Nilufar Begum. Despite this, both the public and the artistic community have always remembered her by the name Sumita Devi.
Her acting career began in 1957 with Fateh Lohani’s film Asiya, which went on to be recognised as the Best Bengali Film in 1961, marking her first major success. She further established her reputation through roles in Akash Ar Mati (1960) and gradually cemented her position in the Bengali film industry. Over nearly four decades, her career spanned a wide spectrum of films, stage plays, radio, and television, showcasing her versatility and depth.
| Category | Number/Scope | Notable Works |
|---|---|---|
| Lead Roles in Films | 10+ | Kakhono Asheni, Sonar Kajol, Kancher Dewal, Ei To Jibon, Dui Diganta |
| Supporting Roles | 100+ | Agun Niye Khela, Abhishap, E Desh Tomar Amar, Behula, Swapno Diye Ghera |
| Produced Films | 5 | Agun Niye Khela, Momer Alo, Mayar Songshar, Adarsho Chapakhana, Notun Probhat |
| Awards & Honours | 7+ | All Pakistan Critics Award (1962), Nigar Award (1963), Bachsas Award, Trab Award, Agartala Freedom Fighter Award (2002) |
Sumita Devi also appeared in Urdu films produced in East Pakistan, including Dhupchhao, and worked extensively in radio, television, and stage drama, earning widespread acclaim.
During the 1971 Liberation War, she was a regular performer at the Swadhin Bangla Betar Kendra (Free Bengal Radio), where her voice and presence provided courage and inspiration to both freedom fighters and civilians.
Sumita Devi had two sons: Bipul Raihan, a distinguished writer and theatre director, and Anal Raihan, a journalist and entrepreneur. Her first husband was Atul Lahiri, a prominent communist leader from Faridpur.
She passed away on 6 January 2004 and was laid to rest with state honours at the Mirpur Martyred Intellectuals’ Graveyard. Her contributions to Bangladeshi cinema, culture, and the Liberation War remain immortal.
Tribute to a Legend.