Nandana Sen is an Indian-born American actress, children’s rights activist, author, producer, and screenwriter. He has appeared in many famous Hollywood and Bollywood films such as Black (2005), The War Within (2005), and Rang Rasiya (2008). Nandana is the son of renowned Indian economist and Bharat Ratna awardee Amartya Sen.
Wiki/Biography
Nandana Dev Sen was born on Saturday, 19 August 1967 (age 56 years; in 2023) in New Delhi, India. His zodiac sign is Leo. Nandana lived in Delhi and London for several years as a child. He moved to Kolkata with his mother at the age of six after his parents’ separation. Sen completed his schooling in Kolkata. Although he attended an English school, he preferred Bengali as his primary language and enjoyed reading classical Bengali literature.
A photo of Nandana taken when she was a teenager
After finishing school, he moved to the United States (US) to pursue higher education. There, he earned a bachelor of arts degree in English literature. Later, he enrolled at Harvard University, where he earned a master’s degree in English literature. In an interview, he spoke about his reasons for moving to the US and said,
I don’t want to pick a country that we have colonized. I want to choose a country that I don’t regret. That’s how I ended up in America. I really like being at Harvard, I like studying literature and studying with great writers like Seamus Heaney and Toni Morrison, and [taking] film class with Spike Lee, it was great. It couldn’t have been more fun.”
In her first year studying at Harvard, Nandana won the Detur Prize for topping her class. He went on to win the John Harvard Scholarship and the Elizabeth Cary Agassiz Award for Highest Outstanding Academic Achievement. In his junior year, he was elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa academic honor society.
Nandana poses during her graduation ceremony
After graduating, Nandana enrolled at the USC School of Cinematic Arts in Los Angeles, California, where she took a course in film production under the Peter Stark Production Program and directed many short films, including her final project film Arranged Marriage which was screened at many festivals international film. Later, he took acting classes at the Lee Strasberg Theater & Film Institute in New York and the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. He has also done a PhD.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 5″
Weight (approx): 65 kg
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Dark Brown
Figure Measurements (approx): 36-32-34
Family
Nandana Sen belongs to a family of Bengali winners.
Parents & Siblings
His father, Amartya Sen, was a prominent economist and philosopher.
Photo of Nandana with Amartya Sen
His mother, Nabaneeta Dev, is an Indian writer and academic. He died in 2019. Amartya and Nabaneeta divorced when Nanadana was six years old. His sister, Antara Dev Sen, is a journalist in New Delhi.
Nandana Sen with her mother and sister
Husband & Son
Her husband, John Makinson, is chairman of Penguin Random House. They met each other for the first time in Jaipur during a literary festival. He married her in June 2013. In 2018, the couple adopted Meghla Devsen Makinson, a four-year-old Bengali girl.
Nandana Sen walks with her daughter and her husband
Other relatives
His maternal grandmother Radharani Devi (deceased) was a famous Bengali poet.
Photo of Nandana with her grandmother
Relationships/Affairs
Reportedly, Nanadana Sen was in a relationship with filmmaker Madhu Mantena from 2002 to 2012. According to sources, Madhu asked her to marry him in 2011.
Madhu Mantena’s photo
religion
Nandana Sen follows Hinduism.
Instagram post by Nanadana Sen
Signature/Autograph
Nandana Sen’s signature
Career
Writing
After earning a master’s degree at Harvard University, Nanadana Sen was offered a job at the New York-based feminist magazine Ms Magazine. However, he turned down an offer to work with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, an education company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. There, he worked as an editor and edited many books including The Riverside Shakespeare and The Best American Essays. Nandana has authored many books including Kangaroo Kisses (2016), Talky Tumble of Jumble Farm (2017), Not Yet! (2017), The Monkey Who Wanted to Fly (2018), In My Heart (2019), Youthquake (an anthology of books for adults), Make Up Your Mind (a collection of translations of Nabaneeta Dev Sen’s Bengali poetry), and Acrobat.
Photo of Nandana Sen taken during the launch of a book
Acting, Publishing and Screenwriting
Nanadana Sen made her Bollywood debut with the 1997 film Gudia in which she essayed the role of Rosemary Braganza/Urvashi. While giving an interview, Nandana talked about her first film and said that she initially turned down the offer to act in the film because she wanted to help the director in directing the film. He added that the director agreed to his demand on one condition, that is, if he would act in the film in the lead role. He spoke about it and said,
While studying, I was accidentally cast by Goutam Ghose in Gudia. I wanted to help him, but was surprised when he said he wanted to make me his leader. He said, ‘I’ll let you help me if you agree to be my main heroine.’ And I made my film debut.” 
In 1999, he got roles in two films, an Italian film titled Branchie, and a Canadian film titled Forever. She won the role of Maarya in the 2000 English Canadian drama film Seducing Maarya. He also worked as an associate producer on the film.
Nandana Sen in a still from the movie Seducing Maarya
In the same year, he wrote the script for a short film called Forever; he is also the producer of the film. In 2005, she appeared as Duri Choudhury in the Hollywood film The War Within, as Reena Wadhwa in the Bollywood film My Wife’s Murder, and as Shyamoli in the Bollywood film Tango Charlie. She rose to fame in India after she played the role of Sarah McNally (sister to Rani Mukerji’s character) in the 2005 Bollywood film Black.
Nandana Sen with Rani Mukerji in a still from the movie Black
She appeared as Rehmat in the British film The World Unseen in 2006. In 2008, she shared the screen with Randeep Hooda in the Hindi film Rang Rasiya; she appeared as Sugandha in the film.
Nandana and Randeep in a still from the movie Rang Rasiya
In 2010, he appeared in two Hindi films, Prince, and Jhootha Hi Sahi, and one Bengali film, Autograph. She appeared as Radha in the 2012 bilingual film The Forest.
Social Activism
Besides being involved in authoring books and acting in films, Nanadana Sen is also involved in children’s activism. While studying in Kolkata, Sen used to collect food and clothes for poor and marginalized children. At Harvard University, she participated in many anti-domestic abuse and pro-abortion marches. He has served as an ambassador for Child Protection for Save the Children, India. She later worked with many organizations involved in child activism such as UNICEF, RAHI (India’s first organization for survivors of child sexual abuse), and Apne Aap (aimed at preventing intergenerational prostitution). Sen has served as an expert on child rights panels and juries with the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).
Collage of photos of Nandana Sen taken during her various social activist events
Controversy
Accused of inappropriate behavior during filming
In 2006, during the shooting of the film Rockin Meera!, Nandana was accused of misbehaving on the sets. Nandana, however, denied the allegation and claimed that her misbehavior on the sets of the film led to her leaving the shoot and returning to Los Angeles from India. He further claimed that Param Gill, the film’s producer, was impressed by his acting skills. In an interview, he talked about it and said,
I am confused because there is not a single fact in what is being said about my involvement with Rockin Meera! Obviously, the reporter’s source is completely unreliable. I don’t want to discuss why I didn’t make the film because it was unpleasant. Important people involved with the film behaved very unprofessionally. His behavior was shocking, violated all laws of professional and personal ethics, and made me extremely uncomfortable.”
Award
- In 2022, he won the Kata Sayap Poetry Prize.
- In 2019, she received the Ultimate Female Champion Award from Apne Aap.
- In 2015, Nanadana received the Kalakar Award for Best Actress.
- She won the Reliance BIG Bangla Rising Star Award as well as the TeleCine Award for Best Actress for the 2010 Bengali film Autograph.
Facts/Trivia
- He also used the name Toompa Sen.
- Nanadana Sen is an avid animal lover. He has a pet cat named Lekhika.
Nandana Sen with her pet cat Lekhika
- Nandana Sen is a hodophile (now loves to travel) and has visited many countries including China, Egypt and Africa.
- In 2015, she was featured on the cover of a health magazine titled FHM Active.
Photo of Nandana Sen on the cover of FHM Active
- Nandana Sen passionately follows her hobbies of cycling, reading and dancing.
- He has served on the expert panel of the Jaipur Literature Festival.
- Nanadana Sen is an advocate for the LGBTQIA+ community. He often participates in marches organized to support the community in the United States.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
