Cinemaazi remembers Sumitra Devi on her birth anniversary
22 Jul 1923
Born in a wealthy family in Shiuri on 22 July, 1923, Sumitra Devi went against her family's wishes to pursue acting. Possessing a spirited personality from her childhood, she took part in plays during her studies in Deshbandhu Girls' School and again when her family was staying in Bankura during the Second World War. After an impressive audition at New Theatres, she was chosen to be the lead opposite K L Saigal in Meri Bahen (1944). But ultimately her debut film ended up being Apurba Mitra's Sandhi (1944). The film was a success and even won her the BFJA Best Actress Award. Similar acclaim followed her role in Vasiayatnama (1945). She delivered several other hits, usually paired with Debi Mukherjee whom she would later marry. After a brief hiatus from films, she came back with Swami (1949). Some of her noteable roles in bengali films came in Pather Dabi (1947), Pratibad (1948), Debi Choudhurani (1949), Samar (1949) and Saheb Bibi Golam (1956). She appeared in Hindi films like Mashaal (1950), Mamta (1952), Ghungroo (1952), Mayurpankh (1954), Jagte Raho (1956) among others.
