Supriya Devi Biography: Partner, Age, Children, Net Worth, Parents, Movies

Krishna Banerjee, popularly known as Supriya Devi, was a legendary Indian actress whose career spanned more than five decades in Bengali cinema.

She became one of the most celebrated stars of Tollywood, renowned for her powerful performances, commanding screen presence, and ability to portray complex and emotionally rich characters.

Best remembered for her acclaimed role as Neeta in the classic film Meghe Dhaka Tara, she excelled in both art-house and commercial cinema. Her enduring contributions to Indian cinema earned her widespread recognition, including the prestigious Padma Shri.

Supriya Devi
Wiki Facts & About Data
Real Name:	Krishna Banerjee
Stage Name:	Supriya Devi
Born:	January 8, 1933
Died:	January 26, 2018 (age 85 years old)
Place of Birth:	Myitkyina, Burma
Nationality:	Indian
Height:	1.63m
Parents:	Mr. Gopal Chandra and Mrs. Kiranbala Banerjee
Siblings:	2
Spouse:	Bishwanath Choudhury (m. 1954–separated)
Children:	Soma Choudhury
Occupation:	Actress
Net Worth:	$1.5 million

Early Life and Education

Krishna Banerjee was born on January 8, 1933, drawing her first breaths in the tranquil northern town of Myitkyina in colonial Burma. She spent her initial childhood years in an affluent, culturally rich environment curated by her mother, Kiranbala Devi, a dedicated homemaker with an intense passion for music, and her father, Gopal Chandra Banerjee, a highly successful advocate and passionate amateur theater director who guided her alongside her older and younger brothers.

Her early world was upended during World War II when her family was forced to flee the Japanese occupation, undertaking an arduous trek on foot to seek refuge in Calcutta, where she subsequently resumed her formal education at local schools and completed her secondary academic qualifications. Embracing her ancestral identity, she belonged to a traditional Bengali Kulin Brahmin ethnic lineage and practiced Hinduism.

Career

Supriya Devi began her professional artistic journey as a mere child of seven, making her earliest performative steps in amateur theater plays directed by her father while still residing in Burma.

Her transition into the cinematic medium occurred in 1952 when she secured a role in the Nirmal Dey-directed family drama Basu Paribar, immediately capturing industry attention despite initially playing a supporting sister role to a rising Uttam Kumar.

Following a brief hiatus to focus on her domestic life, she orchestrated a triumphant return to the studio floors in 1958 with Sushil Majumdar‘s Marmabani, navigating intense industry competition to secure her ultimate breakthrough role in the blockbuster romance Sonar Harin in 1959. This critical turning point instantly captivated audiences across eastern India, propelling her into the top tier of commercial cinema and establishing an enduring, magically successful multi-decade on-screen pairing with the reigning king of Bengali cinema.

The creative powerhouse’s professional trajectory soared into international cinematic history at the dawn of the 1960s through her collaborations with avant-garde auteurs. She achieved monumental artistic heights anchoring Ritwik Ghatak‘s iconic masterpiece Meghe Dhaka Tara, delivering a devastatingly brilliant, culturally timeless performance that resonated globally and redefined the cinematic portrayal of post-partition refugee struggles.

Her vast acting portfolio expanded rapidly as she headlined a string of legendary cinematic triumphs including Komal Gandhar, Swaralipi, Chowringhee, and Sanyasi Raja, seamlessly oscillating between high-fashion modern glamour and deep psychological vulnerability. Her incredible dramatic range was formally crowned with multiple prestigious Bengal Film Journalists’ Association (BFJA) Awards for Best Actress, constructing an untouchable industry influence that broke traditional stereotypes about the limitations placed upon married female stars in Indian cinema.

Entering her later career phases, she demonstrated a brilliant capacity for artistic reinvention by transitioning seamlessly into mature character roles, theater productions, and the emerging medium of television soap operas. She commanded the small screen in her silver years by anchoring highly rated family dramas like Janani, proving her timeless appeal to entirely new generations of viewers while occasionally making striking appearances in contemporary art-print cinema such as Kamala Kanta and Podokkhep.

Her extraordinary lifelong dedication to the medium was recognized at the highest levels, earning her the Banga Vibhushan—West Bengal’s ultimate civilian honor—and the national Padma Shri in 2014, solidifying a legendary professional legacy that stands as a foundational pillar of India’s historical cinematic golden age.

Social Media

Supriya Devi does not have a verified social media account.

Personal Life

Supriya Devi, born on January 8, 1933, lived a rich, unconventional life until her passing at 85 years old, balancing her glittering stardom with deeply profound personal chapters.

She entered holy matrimony with film producer Bishwanath Choudhury in 1954, a union that blessed her with her only daughter, Soma, before the couple eventually chose to separate due to personal differences.

Later, she courageously defied the conservative societal norms of the 1960s by entering a deeply committed, long-term live-in partnership with the legendary actor Uttam Kumar, remaining his constant companion, muse, and domestic anchor for seventeen years until his sudden demise in 1980.

Filmography

• Basu Paribar (1952)
• Marmabani (1958)
• Sonar Harin (1959)
• Meghe Dhaka Tara (1960)
• Komal Gandhar (1961)
• Swaralipi (1961)
• Surja Sikha (1963)
• Begaana (1963)
• Chowringhee (1968)
• Teen Adhyay (1968)
• Chhinnapatra (1972)
• Sanyasi Raja (1975)
• Atanka (1986)
• Podokkhep (2006)

Net Worth

Supriya Devi had an estimated net worth of around $1.5 million, at the time of her passing. Her wealth was primarily built through a prolific five-decade acting career, during which she became one of the leading stars of Bengali cinema and earned substantial income from films, television appearances, and stage productions.

Her financial assets also included real estate holdings in Kolkata and ongoing royalties from her extensive body of classic cinematic work.