'The producer of the director'

Aparna Sen shares some thoughts on her late father, eminent filmmaker and critic, Chidananda Dasgupta

A renowned film critic and an expert historian, Chidananda Dasgupta amorously asserted himself as 'the producer of the director' Aparna Sen.



Deeply saddened by her father's unexpected demise, Sen, who flew down from US to perform the last rites, takes out a few minutes to share some thoughts on the pioneer of the film society movement in India...

It's not begun to sink in yet. I have just returned from US and being the eldest daughter I have been busy taking care of all the arrangements.

He was 89 and was to turn 90 soon. We were planning a grand celebration for his 90th birthday but, alas! However, I am glad that my father has lived a full life. So there is nothing to regret.

Though he is very much present in spirit but he is not there physically, and that's the painful part. When the body perishes, it's difficult to channelise love.



He used to say jokingly, 'I am the producer of the director'. Apart from physically producing me, the nurturing he gave me has made me who I am.
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I was brought up in such a way that it never occurred to me that there is anything that I can't do or achieve because I am a woman.

I inherited from him the zeal, courage and freedom to lead the life on my terms. And that was the biggest gift I got from him.