She was born Manjula Sanyal in Darjeeling, Bengal Presidency, British India.Her father was Girija Golkunda Sanyal.
She was married to film editor Subodh Roy. They have a son.
Director Bibhuti Laha (of Agradoot) named her Suchorita for his film Khokababur Pratyabartan.After that, director Kanak Mukhopadhay decided to make it shorter into Sumita. Famous actress Lila Desai was very much known to Sumita. Lila introduced her to Agradoot. After she got a chance in Khokababur Pratyabartan, she acted in more than 40 films in Bengali, including Sagina Mahato, opposite Dilip Kumar and in the lead role in Kuheli, alongside Biswajit and Sandhya Roy.She also has acted in a number of Hindi films, the most notable of which was Anand in 1970, opposite Amitabh Bachchan. She also acted television serials, professional stage and in group theatre with the notable association with "Ranga Sabha". She was a part of many of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's films like Guddi, Anand and Aashirwad.
| # | Released Date | Type | Credited As | Movie |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 01 Jan 2003 | Film | Supporting Actress | Debipuja |
| 2 | 12 Aug 1993 | Film | Supporting Actress | Shanka |
| 3 | 03 Jan 1989 | Film | Supporting Actress | Bandhabi |
| 4 | 01 Jan 1989 | Film | Supporting Actress | Atmadaan |
| 5 | 01 Jan 1975 | Film | Actress | Anjane Mehman |
| 6 | 24 Sep 1971 | Film | Actress | Guddi |
| 7 | 12 Mar 1971 | Film | Supporting Actress | Anand |
| 8 | 01 Jan 1971 | Film | Actress | Mere Apne |
| 9 | 01 Jan 1971 | Film | Supporting Actress | KUHELI |
| 10 | 22 Sep 1969 | Film | Supporting Actress | Teen Bhubaner Parey |
| 11 | 25 Aug 1968 | Film | Supporting Actress | Panchashar |
| 12 | 18 Aug 1968 | Film | Supporting Actress | Apanjan |
