Renowned Bengali theatre personality Manoj Mitra, celebrated for his farces and fantasy plays that skillfully addressed social and political issues, passed away on Tuesday (November 12) at the age of 86.

He died in a hospital due to age-related complications, as confirmed by family sources.

Mitra had been struggling with health issues for some time. He was hospitalized on September 20 due to breathing difficulties and an imbalance in sodium and potassium levels.

Though he was discharged at the end of September after treatment, his condition deteriorated, and he passed away at around 8:50 am on Tuesday, according to medical staff.

A celebrated playwright, director, and actor, Mitra was widely known for his exceptional role in Tapan Sinha’s Banchharamer Bagan, adapted from his own play Sajano Bagaan. His performance in the film was highly acclaimed, solidifying his place in Bengali cinema.

In addition to Sinha's work, Mitra collaborated with some of Bengali cinema’s most iconic filmmakers, including Satyajit Ray. He appeared in Ray’s classics Ghare Baire and Ganashatru, and worked with acclaimed directors like Buddhadeb Dasgupta, Basu Chatterjee, Tarun Majumdar, Shakti Samanta, and Goutam Ghose.

His versatility shone through in both comic and antagonist roles, earning him lasting respect and admiration in the world of cinema and theatre.