Moon Moon Sen (also credited as Moonmoon Sen) (Bengali: মুনমুন সেন born 28 March 1958) is an Indian film actress. She did movies in Bengali, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi and Kannada films. Sen is part of a three generational family of actors and was a staple of the Bengali film industry, starring in many hit films. She eventually starred in Bollywood films, which she was not as successful as the Bengali film industry. She has appeared in 60 films and 40 TV serials. Her performance in the Telugu film Sirivennela directed by K.Vishwanath is possibly her best performance.Moon Moon Sen was born into a Bengali family in Calcutta to popular Bengali actress Suchitra Sen and Dibanath Sen. Her father, of Ballygunge Place, was the son of one of the wealthiest businessmen of Calcutta, Adinath Sen. Her great grandfather Dinanath Sen was the Diwan or a Minister of the Maharaja of Tripura.
She was educated at Loreto Convent, Darjeeling and at Loreto House, Calcutta, then in a school in England and after coming back, she graduated from Loreto College, Calcutta. She received her masters in Comparative Literature from Jadavpur University, Kolkata.
As a child, Sen learnt drawing from Jamini Roy, one of India's greatest artists. She loves paintings and collecting antiques. In an interview in 2000, she said she taught at Ballygunge Girls' School for a year 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. Sen taught English at a well known Boys' school (Ballygunge Govt. High School) in Kolkata before joining films.
Acting career
Moon Moon Sen started her career in films and television after marriage and motherhood. She made her debut in Andar Baahar (1984). Her daring role in that film apparently created a storm of controversy.
After Zakhmi Dil (1994) she did not appear in films until 2003 when she starred in an unsuccessful thriller Kucch To Hai. At no point, she could match success of her her mother, who was Bengali film's leading actress for nearly two decades.
Before and after entering the film industry, she appeared alone (or with her daughters) in some modelling assignments. She notably modeled for soap ads which were quite controversial in the 1980s. Apart from doing some television serials, she also did 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."
She is now doing a few films at a time, such as a film in 2000 with younger daughter Riya. She is also apparently writing a cookbook in Bengali, which is yet to be published. Most recently, she has made occasional appearances, or with her family, also in the Page 3 sections of Indian newspapers, usually at polo events or film-related events, and promote new restaurants.
Personal life
Moon Moon Sen married in 1978, to a descendant of the royal family of Tripura state. They have two daughters, actresses Raima Sen and Riya Sen. She has high regard for her husband, for his consistent support of her professional acting career.
Her late mother-in-law, Ila Devi, was the princess of Cooch Behar, and older sister of Gayatri Devi, the Maharani of Jaipur.
Awards
Sen received awards such as the Nandi State Award, the Kalakendra Screen Award and the Bharat Nirman Award.
Filmography
Bengali
- Baidurya Rahasya
- Rajbadhu
- Byabodhan
- Tumi Kato Sundar
- Gajamukuta (1991)
- Anjali
- Ajantay
- Mahashay
- Rajshwari
- Apon Ghorey
- Sopan (1994)
- Tumi Kato Sundar
- Pujarini
- Neel Nirjane
- My Karma
- Boi Durjo Raw Hossho
- Anterale—Chironjeet
Bollywood
- Chorus (1974)
- Andar Baahar (1984) ... Reema
- Musafir (1986)
- Mohabbat Ki Kasam (1986) .... Radha
- Jaal (1986)
- Sheesha (1986) ... Manisha Prakash
- Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) ... Rani sahiba
- Majnu (1987)
- Amar Kantak (1987)
- Maashuka (1987)
- Woh Phir Aayegi (1988)
- Be Lagaam (1988)
- Mil Gayee Manzil Mujhe (1989)
- Tere Bina Kya Jeena (1989)
- Ek Din Achanak (1989)
- Apna Desh Paraye Log (1989)
- Pathar Ke Insan (1990) ... Dancer
- Lekin (1991) ... Pammi
- Jeevan Ek Sangharsh (1990)
- Bahaar Aane Tak (1990) ... Renu
- 100 Days (1991) ... Rama
- Iraada (1991)
- Vishkanya (1991) ... Mrs. Sonal Vikram Singh
- Waqt Ka Badshah (1992)
- Hirer Angti (1992)
- Zakhmi Rooh (1993) ... Seema/Reema
- Zakhmi Dil (1994) ... Mala
- Kucch To Hai (2003) ... Madam Sexena
- Nil Nirjane (2003)
- Love at Times Square (2003) ... Sweety's mother
- Taj Mahal: A Monument of Love (2003)
- My Karma (2004) ... Mrs. Mullik
- It Was Raining That Night (2005)
- Bow Barracks Forever (2007) ... Rosi
Tamil
- 12B (2001) as Jo's Mom
Malayalam
- Aval Kathirunnu Avanum
Telugu
- Sirivennela
- Arjun
Kannada
- Yuga Purusha
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