Happy Birthday, Aparna Sen: Here are her five directorial works that you can’t miss

Aparna Sen's films are a blend of love and rebellion, with outstanding performances and strong feminist themes. Cheers to the legendary filmmaker on her special day!

Aparna Sen

It’s Aparna Sen’s birthday. On October 25, the eminent film star, director and activist turns 79. The septuagenarian, who is not only known for delivering powerful performances on screen and gifting us a bouquet of films, has also made her voice heard in the times of social and political injustice. She actively attended rallies protesting the heinous RG Kar incident and extended her support for the protesting junior doctors. As we celebrate Aparna Sen’s birthday, here are her top five directorial works that are garnished with love and rebel.  

Also read: Exclusive! Aparna Sen on India at 75: India is slowly but surely going towards fascism and that is my worry

Aparna Sen’s top five directorial works

Mr & Mrs Iyer 

Aparna Sen’s 2002 drama is devastatingly romantic in nature. Right at the moment when Meenakshi Iyer, beautifully played by Konkona Sen Sharma, thrusts her baby on Raja’s (Rahul Bose) lap and identifies him as her husband in front of Hindu rioters, love blooms. With communal violence in the backdrop, this film offers some outstanding performances. From Anjan Dutt as a timid and fragile co-passenger to Chandan Sen as a cold-blooded rioter – each character in the film is simply unputdownable. The conversation between Meenakshi and Raja over science and faith is among the smartest exchanges we have seen. Mr & Mrs Iyer streams on YouTube.

Also read: Parambrata Chatterjee to direct a new film with Aparna Sen and Anjan Dutt as lead

Paromitar Ekdin 

Sen’s Paromitar Ekdin is a busy painting of women’s social positioning. The 2000-drama delves into the lives of Paromita (Rituparna Sengupta) and her mother-in-law (Aparna Sen). Coming from two completely different backgrounds, these two develop an unusual friendship as they manoeuvre through the everyday patriarchy in regular Bengali households. Paromitar Ekdin streams on YouTube. 

Parama

In her mundane life, homemaker Parama (Raakhee Gulzar) rediscovers herself through photographer Rahul (Mukul Sharma). Through their journey, which comes to an end eventually, Parama enjoys her freedom. However, the film captures how fragile the moments are when a woman's emancipation is examined through the male gaze.  

Sati 

Shabana Azmi presents a powerful performance as Uma, who can't speak. It is because of some astrologer’s diktat she gets married to a banyan tree. It is one of Sen’s strongest feminist works.  

Yugant 

With Anjan Dutt and Roopa Ganguly in the lead, Yugant delves into the lives of an estranged couple meeting after 18 months at the same place where they honeymooned years ago. The film delicately delves into the impact of war on the environment.  

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