‘Surjo Konna’ star Jayashree Kabir passes away

Veteran film actress Jayshree Kabir, a prominent figure of South Asian cinema’s golden era, has passed away in London. She died on January 12 at the Romford Nursing Home, her nephew Javed Mahmud confirmed.

Family sources said Jayshree Kabir had been suffering from illness for a prolonged period and was undergoing treatment in London.

She made her acting debut in 1969 with Satyajit Ray’s acclaimed film Pratidwandi (The Adversary). Over the years, she appeared in more than 30 films across West Bengal and Bangladesh, earning critical acclaim for her performances.

One of her most celebrated works, Surjo Konna (1975), directed by renowned filmmaker Alamgir Kabir, remains a landmark in Bangladeshi cinema and marked its 50th anniversary last year.

Born in Kolkata,  Jayshree Roy moved to Dhaka to pursue her acting career and later married Alamgir Kabir, after which she became known as Jayshree Kabir. Following their divorce, she returned to Kolkata. After Alamgir Kabir’s death on January 20, 1989, she relocated to London with her son, where she later worked in the teaching profession.

Her notable films include "Simana Periye", "Rupali Shaikate", "Nalish", "Sabyasachi" and "Shohor Theke Dure". She also received widespread praise for her role opposite legendary actor Uttam Kumar in the 1976 film "Asadharan".

Jayshree Kabir was crowned Miss Kolkata in 1968 and won the BACHSAS Award in 1975 for her performance in "Surjo Konna".