Moon Moon Sen

Indian actress

In this Bengali name, the surname is  Sen.

Moon Moon Sen

Member of Parliament, Lok Sabha
In office
2014–2019
Preceded by| Basudeb Acharia
Succeeded by| Subhash Sarkar
Constituency| Bankura, West Bengal
Personal details
Born|

Srimati Sen[1]

(1954-03-28) 28 March 1954 (age 71)[2]
Calcutta, West Bengal, India
(present-day Kolkata)
Spouse|

Bharat Dev Varma

(m. 1978; died 2024)​

[3]
Children| Raima Sen
Riya Sen
Parent(s)| Dibanath Sen
Suchitra Sen
Residence(s)| Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Alma mater| Somerville College, Oxford
Jadavpur University
Profession| Actress

Moon Moon Sen, also credited as Moonmoon Sen (born Srimati Sen; 28 March 1954),[1] is an Indian actress, known for her works in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, and Marathi films. She eventually starred in Bollywood films. She has appeared in 60 films and 40 television series. She has received Andhra Pradesh state Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1987, for her role in the film Sirivennela.[4]

## Early life

[edit]

Moon Moon Sen was born in Calcutta (present-day Kolkata) to Bengali actress Suchitra Sen and Dibanath Sen. Her father, of Ballygunge Place, was the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen of Kolkata, Adinath Sen. Her great-grandfather Dinanath Sen was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura.

She was educated at Loreto Convent, Shillong and at Loreto House, Calcutta. She completed her graduation from Somerville College, Oxford and received her master's degree in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University, Calcutta.[5][6]

As a child, Sen learnt drawing from Jamini Roy, one of India's greatest artists.[7] She loves paintings and collecting antiques. In an interview in 2000, she said she taught at Ballygunge Govt High School for a year[8] and then taught graphics at Chitrabani, a school teaching film techniques. She was also active in social work and even thought about adopting a baby, even before she was married.[6] Sen taught English at a well known Boys' school (Ballygunge Govt. High School) in Kolkata before joining films.

## Career

[edit]

### Acting career

[edit]

Moon Moon Sen started her career in films and television after marriage and motherhood. She made her debut in Andar Baahar (1984).[9] Her daring role in that film apparently created a storm of controversy.

She had also starred in a suspense thriller 100 Days (1991) with Madhuri Dixit. After Zakhmi Dil (1994) she did not appear in films until 2003 when she starred in an unsuccessful thriller Kucch To Hai. She'd acted in a Telugu movie Sirivennela directed by the legendary Telugu director K. Viswanath.

Before and after entering the film industry, she appeared alone (or with her daughters) in some modelling assignments. She notably modelled for soap ads[10] which were quite controversial in the 1980s. Apart from doing some television serials, she also did a couple of Bengali tele-films.

Sen said she would bare all even at 70.

> "Age is not important, the attitude is. Sophia is the ultimate glam girl who can manage to look beautiful in such a picture even now. But yes, India too has beautiful women like Rekha and Hema Malini who can carry such a thing out with aplomb. In fact, I wouldn't mind myself if the shoot is done aesthetically and with taste."[11]

Her film My Karma (2004),[citation needed] directed by Korak Day[citation needed] received international awards and recognition for her as a "tough and sweet Indian wife, standing as a rock behind her husband".[citation needed]

She is now doing a few films at a time.[1] She is also apparently writing a cookbook in Bengali.[citation needed]

### Political career

[edit]

She joined Trinamool Congress in March 2014[12] and won in 2014 Lok Sabha Polls from Bankura constituency, where she defeated CPI(M)'s nine-time MP, Basudeb Acharia.[13][14] In 2019, she lost the Asansol Lok Sabha constituency election to Babul Supriyo of BJP.[15]

In 2015, Moon Moon Sen in an interview said 'I think we should give him (Modi) a chance. He has done a very good job winning all those votes and we have to give him a chance as a Prime Minister.' Though her party distanced itself from the statement and said that it is her own view and is certainly not the view of the party.[16]

## Personal life

[edit]

Moon Moon Sen married in 1978 to Bharat Dev Varma, a descendant of the erstwhile royal family of Tripura. They have two daughters, Raima and Riya, who also pursued a career in acting. She has stated that her husband was an immense support for her acting career.[8]

Her late mother-in-law, Ila Devi, was the daughter of Indira Raje, the princess of Cooch Behar, and the elder sister of Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur.

Deeply religious, in spite of her bohemian screen image, Moon Moon Sen is committed to family life and grieved at her mother Suchitra Sen's death on 17 January 2014 due to a heart attack. She immersed the ashes of her mother ritualistically in the Ganges on Wednesday, 29 January 2014. The prayers was attended by dignitaries, like West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and close friends and family who had missed the funeral, a hurried affair after five hours of death as per the last wishes of the dying actress.[17]

## Awards

[edit]

* Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actress – Sirivennela (1987)
* Kalakendra Screen Award [citation needed]
* Bharat Nirman Award [citation needed]
* Kalakar Awards.[18]

## Filmography

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Language  | Notes

|
|
|
|

1982  | Rajbadhu |  | Bengali  | Debut Film
1983  | Rajeswari |  |
1984  | Ajantay |  |
Deepar Prem |  |
Pujarini |  |
Andar Baahar | Reema  | Hindi  | Debut In Hindi
1985  | Antarale |  | Bengali  |
Baidurya Rahasya |  |
1986  | Amar Kantak |  |
Musafir |  | Hindi  |
Jaal |  |
Mohabbat Ki Kasam | Radha  |
Sheesha | Manisha Prakash  |
Aval Kaathirunnu Avanum |  | Malayalam  |
Sirivennela |  | Telugu  | Won Nandi Award
1987  | Anjali |  | Bengali  |
Apon Ghorey |  |
Sargam |  |
Pyaar Ki Jeet | Rani Sahiba  | Hindi  |
Maashuka |  |
Majnu | Shalini  | Telugu  |
1988  | Tumi Kato Sundar |  | Bengali  |
Woh Phir Aayegi |  | Hindi  |
Be Lagaam |  |
1989  | Nishi Trishna |  | Bengali  |
Bandhabi |  |
Tere Bina Kya Jeena |  | Hindi  |
Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe |  |
Ek Din Achanak |  |
Apna Desh Paraye Log | Journalist Sunita  |
Jailkhana |  |
Yuga Purusha |  | Kannada  |
1990  | Byabodhan |  | Bengali  |
Pathar Ke Insan | Dancer  | Hindi  |
Jeevan Ek Sanghursh |  |
Bahaar Aane Tak | Renu  |
1991  | Lakhi Durga Saraswati |  | Bengali  |
Iraada | Geeta Sen  | Hindi  |
Lekin... | Pammi  |
Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi |  |
100 Days | Rama  |
Vishkanya | Mrs. Sonal Vikram Singh  |
1992  | Hirer Angti |  | Bengali  |
Mahashoy |  |
Waqt Ka Badshah |  | Hindi  |
Pyaar Ka Saudagar | Monalisa Sinha (Manorama)  |
1993  | Zakhmi Rooh | Seema/Reema  | Hindi  |
Vaishakada Dinagalu |  | Kannada  |
Mangalya Bandhana |  |
1994  | Sopan |  | Bengali  |
Gajamukta |  |
Boumoni |  |
Zakhmi Dil | Mala  | Hindi  |
Abhay |  |
Gentle Man Security  |  | Malayalam  |
1995  | Protidhwani |  | Bengali  |
1996  | Parikrama |  |
Sautela Bhai | Sheena  | Hindi  |
2001  | 12B | Sulo  | Tamil  |
2003  | Nil Nirjane |  | Bengali  |
Kucch To Hai | Madam Sexena  | Hindi  |
Love at Times Square | Sweety's Mother  |
Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love |  |
2004  | My Karma | Mrs. Mullik  | English  |
2005  | It Was Raining That Night |  |
2007  | Bow Barracks Forever |  |
2014  | Buno Haansh |  | Bengali  |
2019  | Bhobishyoter Bhoot |  |

## Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Language  | Role  | Network

|
|
|
|

1989  | Rong Berong | Bengali  | Beauty |
1995  | Thoda Sa Asman |  |  |
| Zaban Sambhal Ke[a] |  |  |
| Paliyathachan | Malayalam  |  |
| Rishtey | Hindi  |  |
| Shudhu Tomari Jonyo | Bengali  |  |

## Notes

[edit]

1. ^ episodic role

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Dey, Shuvra (8 April 2022). "From Roma to Suchitra Sen". GetBengal. Retrieved 29 July 2020. "Meanwhile, the couple was blessed with a baby girl, who was named Srimati. She became the famous Moon Moon Sen."
2. ^ "Sixteenth Lok Sabha – Members Bioprofile – Varma, Smt. Dev (Moon Moon Sen)". Parliament of India – Lok Sabha. Archived from the original on 20 December 2016. Retrieved 14 December 2016.
3. ^ Moon Moon Sen's Husband Bharat Dev Varma Dies in Kolkata
4. ^ "Only 62 Out of 543 MPs Have Clocked 100% Attendance". The New Indian Express. 1 March 2015. Archived from the original on 3 July 2025. Retrieved 3 July 2025.
5. ^ "Moon Moon Sen Biography". Retrieved 26 August 2018.
6. ^ a b "Focus on IIFCL refinance to pump in Rs 75,000 crore". 6 January 2009. Archived from the original on 1 May 2010. Retrieved 7 October 2008.
7. ^ "Sorry". The Indian Express. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
8. ^ a b "Sorry". Screen. Archived from the original on 31 January 2008. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
9. ^ "The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - NCR stories".
10. ^ "Rediff on the NeT: Transcript of the Adi Godrej Chat".
11. ^ "Dare to bare at 70?". The Times of India. 9 July 2006. Retrieved 6 July 2012.
12. ^ "Baichung Bhutia, Moon Moon Sen bring star power to Mamata's TMC". Archived from the original on 7 March 2014. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
13. ^ "Tollywood wishes luck to Dev, Moon Moon Sen for Lok Sabha Polls". news.biharprabha.com. Indo-Asian News Service. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
14. ^ "Lok Saba polls: Bhaichung Bhutia, Moon Moon Sen to contest on Trinamool ticket". The Times of India. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
15. ^ "Asansol Election Result 2019: Moon Moon Sen loses to BJP's Babul Supriyo". The Times of India. 24 May 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2019.
16. ^ "Moon Moon Sen Biography, Husband, Daughters, Age - Odiha News". 13 May 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2022.
17. ^ "Moon Moon Sen immerses ashes of late mother Suchitra Sen in Ganga". 18 January 2014.
18. ^ "Kalakar award winners" (PDF). Kalakar website. Archived from the original on 25 April 2012. Retrieved 16 October 2012.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Shoma A. Chatterjee. "Moon Moon Sen: Back in the Spotlight", Screen (part of The Indian Express group), 24 November 2000. An article based on an interview with Moon Moon Sen, discussing her career and her private life.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moon Moon Sen.

* Moon Moon Sen at IMDb
* Moon Moon Sen at Bollywood Hungama

* v
* t
* e

Members of the 16th Lok Sabha from West Bengal

GE 2014|

1. Sisir Adhikary
2. Suvendu Adhikari
3. S S Ahluwalia
4. Sultan Ahmed
5. Idris Ali
6. Subrata Bakshi
7. Sudip Bandyopadhyay
8. Abhishek Banerjee
9. Kalyan Banerjee
10. Prasun Banerjee
11. Bijoy Chandra Barman
12. Sugata Bose
13. Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury
14. Kakoli Ghosh Dastidar
15. Dev
16. Ratna De (Nag)
17. Arpita Ghosh
18. Anupam Hazra
19. Choudhury Mohan Jatua
20. Badaruddoza Khan
21. Saumitra Khan
22. Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury
23. Mriganko Mahato
24. Sunil Kumar Mandal
25. Tapas Mandal
26. Pratima Mondal
27. Abhijit Mukherjee
28. Mausam Noor
29. Tapas Paul
30. Aparupa Poddar (Afrin Ali)
31. Sandhya Roy
32. Satabdi Roy
33. Saugata Roy
34. Md Salim
35. Mamtaz Sanghamita
36. Uma Saren
37. Moon Moon Sen
38. Renuka Sinha
39. Babul Supriyo
40. Kapil Krishna Thakur
41. Dasrath Tirkey
42. Dinesh Trivedi

Bye-elections
2015|

* Mamata Thakur
* Pre-bye poll: Kapil Krishna Thakur \- deceased

15th LS members

17th LS members

Members of the 16th Lok Sabha from

States

Union territories

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