Once a trailblazer in Calcutta’s glamour world, actor Moon Moon Sen continues to captivate with her style. Fearless and unapologetically bold, she embodies elegance and has always been ahead of the curve. With a flair for fashion from the early days of her career, she has never shied away from experimenting. As a septuagenarian, living life in style, Sen was our choice when we thought of exploring the 1970s comeback trend of tinted glasses, set in ornamental frames, paired with National Award-winning designer Soumitra Mondal’s understated zari saris.
She was not easy to convince, but once we succeeded, she opened her impeccably and artistically curated home to us, and was game for the looks. Impressively, she had also prepared a selection of shoot essentials on her bed, including saris, jewellery, and more. “I picked this habit from my mother (actress Suchitra Sen). When I’d visit her make-up room, saris, petticoats, and blouses would always be hanging around. It didn’t matter whether we needed them that day or not. Back in the day, we handled everything ourselves for photoshoots. Professionalism was often lacking,” Sen remarked, observing our surprise at her meticulousness in prepping for the shoot.
As we approach the close of 2025, it’s hard not to be impressed by how the septuagenarians of Bollywood and Tollywood are reclaiming the spotlight. They always dared to push past conventions, establishing their own standards. They truly believe that “age is just a number”; for them, style is nothing less than a way of life.
A t2 chat with Moon Moon Sen on style and more:What is your earliest memory of the glamour world ?
Seeing my mother in real life and in films, and the way my parents led their lives. For me, her glamour was in her manner of speaking and the simplicity of her style. My father had a passion for cars, and we owned a Cadillac, Chevrolet, and Mercedes. They were real people, and there was a lot of love, affection and travelling. All these pursuits seem to have gone today. Everything seems to be very cut and dried. It’s all about dressing well to take lots of photographs!
What influenced your sense of style as you grew up?
My mother was lenient when it came to how I dressed. She often dressed me in shorts and blouses and allowed me to swim, which was quite progressive back then. In Calcutta, if you ventured down Park Street, you’d see the stunning Anglo-Indian girls who were fashion icons of that era. Their style, along with that of the British, influenced style in Bengal. Elliot Road had some incredible tailors; you could show them a magazine picture, and they’d recreate it beautifully. But owning designer items wasn’t a priority. Whenever I see someone, including my daughters, carrying designer bags or shoes, I can’t help but wonder about their motivations. I’d prefer to save that money for something meaningful, like a flat!
Your fearless style has always stood out. How do you look back at your trailblazing bikini photoshoot?
I chose to wear what made me feel at ease. To me, being natural embodies fashion and style. Wearing a bikini was my way of embracing my role as a mother while also working in films after having two children. It was a hoot out to other women: yes, we can have children and still maintain our figures, stretch marks aside. For me, sporting a bikini went beyond fashion; I used to swim regularly.
When did you embrace your iconic chiffon saris?
I’ve worn saris since my college days, and that love remains unchanged. My husband had a fondness for printed saris. After marrying him, every time I shopped in Jaipur, he would hand me a little envelope, encouraging me to indulge. I’ve always had a passion for gold, too. I prefer to collect simple, understated pieces, but ironically, my daughters aren’t keen on jewellery at all. If they do wear any, it’s got to be dainty.
During my time in jatra, I had the opportunity to visit villages, witnessing women weave and men perfecting their craft. This experience enriched my appreciation for saris. Nowadays, I feel it’s worthwhile to invest in a sari lovingly woven by a family, often financially modest. Each piece becomes a cherished heirloom — even something as simple as a tangail.
Did your daring fashion sense ever create a stir in the family given your royal ties?
My husband has always been supportive, and so have his family members. Many of the women in his family were involved in politics — his aunt was Gayatri Devi, while my sister-in-law made a name for herself working with a prominent designer in Dubai. They all balanced their professional lives with social work. For me, it felt normal. His family was quite progressive and embraced life’s changes.
Who did you look up to in terms of style?
I think, my mother. She had these exquisite net saris from Paris — one was black adorned with red feathers, paired with a red satin petticoat. Once, Riya (younger daughter) came home with a pair of simple black velvet shoes that were strikingly similar to ones my mother wore ages ago. She had her own unique way of being fashionable. If you think back, in Calcutta, we had artisans crafting embroidered bags, and the Chinese were making shoes in various designs. Yet, we often overlook the talent we have locally. My mother taught me that true fashion lies in simplicity — it’s about your face, intellect, humour, and the way you carry yourself, much more than in any extravagant clothing.
Out of Raima (elder daughter) and Riya, who’s more into fashion, and who tends to give fashion advice?
Riya definitely takes the lead. She studied fashion, and a few years back, she mentioned that metallics were the way to go. I even noticed Alia Bhatt sporting a metal corset recently. None of us are really in the habit of giving advice, although I sometimes tell Raima that she really shines in jeans.
Your appreciation for art and aesthetics carries over into your home decor. How much do you get involved in setting it up?
My husband was very involved. He inherited quite a bit of the furniture and paintings, while I’ve helped pick out things he loves, especially as gifts for his birthdays. The life we shared really shaped our tastes.
How do you spend your time at home now?
I don’t know but the days pass very fast. I have to find a life for myself. I don’t want to be a burden to my children. Raima spends a lot of time with me. Riya is married to a gypsy, so they travel a lot. I haven’t settled down yet, but I will. My best friends are the caregivers I’ve got at home. I’ve taken up writing and painting — doing little sketches for a friend’s book or a cover design for someone else, which keeps me quite busy.
When you reflect on your film journey, is there a particular movie that stands out for you?
It’s hard to pinpoint one, especially since it might not resonate with today’s audience. I’ve had the privilege of working with renowned directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Tapan Sinha, and Jabbar Patel, as well as several talented filmmakers in the south. Each of them had unique perspectives to share. I’ve collaborated with exceptional actors too, but I am known more for my roles in bikinis and swimsuits.
What’s your perspective on the Tollywood parties today, especially when you reflect on them from your mother’s era to your own time?
My mother wasn’t much of a party-goer. She’d attend small gatherings to mark the release of a film, and her films were huge hits. I recall a memorable moment when a producer invited her to a success party at a lovely garden house in Dum Dum and surprised her with a beautiful jewellery set. You hardly see gestures like that from producers these days! My husband often invited people over, which meant we didn’t have much opportunity to attend external parties. I don’t go to many events now; if I do, it’s usually in a very casual manner. I find it hard to engage in conversations where people just talk about their lives; reconnecting with old friends is different. It makes me reluctant to dress up and listen to them.
You’ve aged gracefully. What are your thoughts on the Botox trend in today’s glamour industry, and how do you maintain your natural grace?
I never saw my mother altering her appearance. I grew up relying on a tube of Boroline, which my daughters have also adopted. It’s more than just an antiseptic cream; it’s wonderful for the skin. My mother was remarkably unpretentious, and I learned a lot from her. The idea of sagging skin from Botox terrifies me, and those effects reveal themselves later on. I wouldn’t consider something like that, nor do I care to. Ageing is a natural process everyone faces. I do not know about grace, but I believe in being well-mannered, which seems surprising to some! To me, grace encompasses everything — how you eat, dress, sit, and the kindness you show to others.
What was your impression of our shoot today, especially because you’ve not done something like this in recent times?
I thought it was wonderful. One of my favourite photographs of myself is where I dressed up as a joker with white make-up all over. If I could do that to myself, this experimentation was wonderful. It was a compliment that you all chose me. A lot of people from the younger generation now introduce me to their kids as Riya Sen’s mother (laughs)! Obviously because they don’t know who I am, it was such a long time ago. Today’s shoot was a balance of the older and newer generations. Everyone was very professional and did a good job.
Pictures: Pabitra Das
Hair, make-up, styling: Kaushik Rajat
Saris: Soumitra Mondal
Jewellery: Amrapali, Forum Courtyard