Shakuntala Barua (born 22 April 1947) is an Indian actress and singer who has worked predominantly in Bengali cinema, along with occasional roles in Assamese and Hindi films. In a career spanning more than five decades, she has appeared in a wide range of films, from family melodramas and social dramas to parallel cinema and recent commercial successes. Known for her portrayals of strong matriarchs and emotionally intense characters, she is regarded as one of the senior-most character actresses of modern Bengali cinema.
Early life
Barua was born in Calcutta (now Kolkata), West Bengal, on 22 April 1947.
She was drawn to music and theatre from an early age. She trained in Rabindra Sangeet and classical music under renowned exponents
Suchitra Mitra,
Dilip Kumar Roy, and
Krishna Chattopadhyay.
Career
Early years
Her first screen appearance is variously reported. Some sources credit her with a lead role in the Assamese feature film
Anutaap (1973),
while others identify her Bengali breakthrough opposite
Uttam Kumar in
Sunayani (1979).
Prominence (1980s–1990s)
During the 1980s and 1990s, Barua became a familiar screen presence. She acted in the action drama
Shatru (1984),
’s acclaimed
Paroma (1985),
and
Rituparno Ghosh’s
Dahan (1997), which won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay.
She appeared in both commercial hits and artistic ventures, balancing roles as affectionate mothers, stern guardians, and supportive figures in family-centric narratives.
Later and recent work
In the 2000s and 2010s, Barua continued working in notable projects. Her credits include
Pitribhumi (2007),
Sedin Dekha Hoyechilo (2010),
Alik Sukh (2013),
Gogoler Kirti (2014),
Sahaj Paather Gappo / Colours of Innocence (2016),
Ahaa Re (2019), and the popular
Tonic (2021).
In a 2021 interview, she reflected on the challenges of aging as an actress but emphasized her gratitude for opportunities to work in meaningful projects.
Singing career
Alongside acting, Barua recorded several music albums. Her Rabindra Sangeet album
Puja Amar Sango Holo (1994) remains available on Apple Music and Spotify.
Personal life
Barua’s daughter,
Rajoshi (Piloo) Vidyarthi, is also active in the arts as an actor and singer.
Awards and honours
-
Mahanayak Samman (2017), awarded by the Government of West Bengal for lifetime contribution to cinema.
-
Bulbul Mukherjee Smriti Puraskar (2016), awarded by the Overman Foundation, Kolkata.
Filmography
Films
Television
Discography
-
Puja Amar Sango Holo (Album, 1994).
External links
-
Profile and interview (Bengali). Anandabazar Patrika (2021).
