There were several actresses in higher plain than her.She got some good movies but acting was OK only. The real stars from female leads were Zeenath Aman and Parveen Bhabhi ..Zeenath was best.
Mousumi with her own ability established herself as one of the best actresses of her time.Hemanta was a good reference, no doubt, but then in show biz reference has little role to play, only talent that counts. Since Mousumi acted successfully with heroes like Amitav, Uttam, Soumitra, Vionod, Rishi, Sanjeev, she doesn't need any adjective as no.1 or something like that for her introduction. Actors and actresses in those days were respectful to others in their trade but today much less talented artists have a different breeding- respect is a foreign word to them, it seems.
her acting is very natural but I think in the 70s and 80s actresses were too pretty and versatile in acting which was the reason she maybe was sidelined... actresses like hema m, rekha, made their debut..nowadays if ms Chatterjee ha come she would be a superstar,,with her charm , elegance and acting ...none of these stars now have any talent
...though there might better recognition in parties or professional places but that all could be temporary like last span life of Rajesh Khanna or even Amitabh Bachhan before the serial Kon Banne Ga Crorepati...
She had a million dollar smile and people would just die for one glimpse of that smile. I remember having a big crush on her as I was growing up lols!!!
