Basu Chatterjee
   HOME

TheInfoList



Click Here for Items Related To - Basu Chatterjee
OR:
Basu Chatterjee on:   [Wikipedia]   [Google]   [Amazon]

Basu Chatterjee ( bn, বাসু চ্যাটার্জ্জী; 10 January 1927 – 4 June 2020) was an Indian film director and screenwriter. Through the 1970s and 1980s, Chatterjee became associated with what came to be known as middle cinema or middle-of-the-road cinema filmmakers, such as
Hrishikesh Mukherjee Hrishikesh Mukherjee (30 September 1922 – 27 August 2006) was an Indian film director, editor and writer. He is regarded as one of the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema. Popularly known as ''Hrishi-da'', he directed 42 films during his ca ...
and Basu Bhattacharya, whom he assisted on ''
Teesri Kasam ''Teesri Kasam'' () is a 1966 Hindi language drama film directed by Basu Bhattacharya and produced by lyricist Shailendra. It is based on the short story ''Mare Gaye Gulfam'', by the Hindi novelist Phanishwarnath Renu. The film stars Raj Kapoo ...
'' (1966). Like their films, his films dealt with light-hearted stories of middle-class families often in urban settings, focusing on marital and love relationships, with exceptions such as ''
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla ''Ek Ruka Hua Faisla'' (English: ''A Pending Decision'') is an Indian Hindi-language thriller film, directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is a remake of the Golden Bear winning American motion picture '' 12 Angry Men'' (1957) directed by Sidney Lumet ...
'' (1986) and '' Kamla Ki Maut'' (1989), which delved into social and moral issues. He is best known for his films ''
Us Paar ''Us Paar'' is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee and starring Vinod Mehra and Moushumi Chatterjee. It has music by Sachin Dev Burman and lyrics by Yogesh. Synopsis Us-Paar is a story about a young guy who comes to his village afte ...
'', '' Chhoti Si Baat'' (1975), '' Chitchor'' (1976), ''
Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari.Piya Ka Ghar'' (1972), '' Khatta Meetha'', '' Swami (1977 film)'', ''
Baton Baton Mein ''Baton Baton Mein'' () is a 1979 Indian romantic comedy film, produced and directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Amol Palekar and Tina Munim in leading roles. David, Pearl Padamsee, Asrani and Ranjit Choudhary appear in supporting roles ...
'' (1979), '' Priyatama'' (1977), '' Man Pasand'', '' Hamari Bahu Alka'', '' Shaukeen'' (1982), and '' Chameli Ki Shaadi'' (1986), which was his last commercially successful movie. Chatterjee directed the Bengali film '' Hothath Brishti'' (1998), which featured actors from both
Bangladesh Bangladesh (}, ), officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh, is a country in South Asia. It is the eighth-most populous country in the world, with a population exceeding 165 million people in an area of . Bangladesh is among the mo ...
and
India India, officially the Republic of India (Hindi: ), is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area, the List of countries and dependencies by population, second-most populous ...
. The film featured
Ferdous Ahmed Ferdous Ahmed (born 7 June 1974), known mononymously as Ferdous, is a Bangladeshi film actor and producer. He acts in Bangladesh and Indian Bengali films. He won Bangladesh National Film Award for Best Actor 5 times for his roles in the films ' ...
from Bangladesh, and Priyanka Trivedi and Sreelekha Mitra from
West Bengal West Bengal (, Bengali: ''Poshchim Bongo'', , abbr. WB) is a state in the eastern portion of India. It is situated along the Bay of Bengal, along with a population of over 91 million inhabitants within an area of . West Bengal is the fou ...
. Chatterjee continued to cast Ahmed in subsequent Indian-Bengali films, including Chupi Chupi (2001), Tak Jhal Mishti (2002) and Hotath Shedin (2012), another joint production of Bangladesh and India. He wrote the script for the Bangladeshi film Ek Cup Cha, directed by Noyeem Imtiaz Neamul.


Early life

Basu Chatterjee was born in
Ajmer Ajmer is one of the major and oldest cities in the Indian state of Rajasthan and the centre of the eponymous Ajmer District. It is located at the centre of Rajasthan. It is also known as heart of Rajasthan. The city was established as "' ...
,
Rajasthan Rajasthan (; lit. 'Land of Kings') is a state in northern India. It covers or 10.4 per cent of India's total geographical area. It is the largest Indian state by area and the seventh largest by population. It is on India's northwestern ...
, India, in a Bengali family. His middle class upbringing reflected in his movies that explored areas which were far removed from the glitz and glamour of the blockbusters of the time.


Career

In 1950s, Chatterjee arrived in Bombay (now
Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the secon ...
) and started his career as an illustrator and cartoonist for the weekly tabloid ''Blitz'' published by
Russi Karanjia Rustom Khurshedji Karanjia (15 September 1912 – 1 February 2008) was an Indian journalist and editor. He typically signed his reports as "R. K. Karanjia". He founded the ''Blitz'', a weekly tabloid with focus on investigative journalism in 194 ...
. He worked there for 18 years before changing career paths to filmmaking, when he assisted Basu Bhattacharya in the Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman starrer ''
Teesri Kasam ''Teesri Kasam'' () is a 1966 Hindi language drama film directed by Basu Bhattacharya and produced by lyricist Shailendra. It is based on the short story ''Mare Gaye Gulfam'', by the Hindi novelist Phanishwarnath Renu. The film stars Raj Kapoo ...
'' (1966), which later won the
National Film Award for Best Feature Film The National Award for Best Feature Film is one of the categories in the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting in India. It is one of se ...
. Eventually, he made his directorial debut with '' Sara Akash'' in 1969, which won him the
Filmfare Best Screenplay Award The Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Superlatives ;Most Awards *Salim–Javed – 3 *Basu Chatterjee – 3 *Rajkumar Hirani – 3 *Mani Ratnam – 2 *V ...
. Some of his most critically acclaimed films are '' Sara Akash'' (1969), '' Piya Ka Ghar'' (1971), ''
Us Paar ''Us Paar'' is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee and starring Vinod Mehra and Moushumi Chatterjee. It has music by Sachin Dev Burman and lyrics by Yogesh. Synopsis Us-Paar is a story about a young guy who comes to his village afte ...
'' (1974), ''
Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari.Chhoti Si Baat'' (1975), '' Chitchor'' (1976), ''
Swami Swami ( ; sometimes abbreviated sw.) in Hinduism is an honorific title given to a male or female ascetic who has chosen the path of renunciation (''sanyāsa''), or has been initiated into a religious monastic order of Vaishnavas. It is used eit ...
'' (1977), '' Khatta Meetha'', '' Priyatama'', '' Chakravyuha (1978 film)'', '' Jeena Yahan'' (1979), ''
Baton Baton Mein ''Baton Baton Mein'' () is a 1979 Indian romantic comedy film, produced and directed by Basu Chatterjee. The film stars Amol Palekar and Tina Munim in leading roles. David, Pearl Padamsee, Asrani and Ranjit Choudhary appear in supporting roles ...
'' (1979), ''
Apne Paraye ''Apne Paraye'' () is a 1980 Indian Hindi-language drama film directed by Basu Chatterjee and produced by Mushir Alam. It stars Amol Palekar and Shabana Azmi in pivotal roles. It is based on the 1917 Bengali novel, ''Nishkriti'' by Sarat Chandra ...
'' (1980), '' Shaukeen'' and ''
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla ''Ek Ruka Hua Faisla'' (English: ''A Pending Decision'') is an Indian Hindi-language thriller film, directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is a remake of the Golden Bear winning American motion picture '' 12 Angry Men'' (1957) directed by Sidney Lumet ...
''. Other films include '' Ratnadeep'', ''
Safed Jhooth ''Safed Jhooth'' is a 1977 Bollywood comedy drama film, starring Ashok Kumar, Vinod Mehra, Mithu Mukherjee in lead roles and directed by Basu Chatterjee. The movie is a remake of 1975 Bengali movie ''Chhutir Phandey''. Cast * Ashok Kumar as Ba ...
'', '' Man Pasand'', '' Hamari Bahu Alka'', '' Kamla Ki Maut'' and ''Triyacharitra''. He has also directed many
Bengali Bengali or Bengalee, or Bengalese may refer to: *something of, from, or related to Bengal, a large region in South Asia * Bengalis, an ethnic and linguistic group of the region * Bengali language, the language they speak ** Bengali alphabet, the w ...
films such as ''Hothat Brishti'', ''Hochcheta Ki'' and ''Hothat Shei Din''. Chatterjee directed the television series '' Byomkesh Bakshi'' and '' Rajani'' for
Doordarshan Doordarshan (abbreviated as DD; Hindi: , ) is an Indian public service broadcaster founded by the Government of India, owned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and one of Prasar Bharati's two divisions. One of India's largest b ...
. He was a member of the jury at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival in 1977 and a member of the International Film And Television Club of the Asian Academy of Film & Television. A retrospective of Chatterjee's work was held as part of the Kala Ghoda Art Festival Mumbai in February of 2011.


Awards

* 2007:
IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award The IIFA Lifetime Achievement Award is an Indian cinema prize, one of International Indian Film Academy Awards The International Indian Film Academy Awards, popularly known as IIFA, is an annual awards ceremony for Bollywood. Produced by ...
* 1992:
National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare The National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, the organisation set up by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, India. It is one of several ...
- ''
Durga Durga ( sa, दुर्गा, ) is a major Hindu goddess, worshipped as a principal aspect of the mother goddess Mahadevi. She is associated with protection, strength, motherhood, destruction, and wars. Durga's legend centres around c ...
'' * 1991:
Filmfare Best Screenplay Award The Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Superlatives ;Most Awards *Salim–Javed – 3 *Basu Chatterjee – 3 *Rajkumar Hirani – 3 *Mani Ratnam – 2 *V ...
– '' Kamla Ki Maut'' * 1980:
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film is awarded during annual Filmfare Awards, given by the Filmfare magazine. The awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1954. Mo ...
– '' Jeena Yahan'' * 1978:
National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment The National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment is one of the National Film Awards presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals, India, and was constituted in the year 1975. This is one of the ''Golden ...
- ''
Swami Swami ( ; sometimes abbreviated sw.) in Hinduism is an honorific title given to a male or female ascetic who has chosen the path of renunciation (''sanyāsa''), or has been initiated into a religious monastic order of Vaishnavas. It is used eit ...
'' * 1978: Filmfare Best Director Award – ''
Swami Swami ( ; sometimes abbreviated sw.) in Hinduism is an honorific title given to a male or female ascetic who has chosen the path of renunciation (''sanyāsa''), or has been initiated into a religious monastic order of Vaishnavas. It is used eit ...
'' * 1977:
Filmfare Best Screenplay Award The Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Superlatives ;Most Awards *Salim–Javed – 3 *Basu Chatterjee – 3 *Rajkumar Hirani – 3 *Mani Ratnam – 2 *V ...
- '' Chitchor'' Nominee * 1976:
Filmfare Best Screenplay Award The Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Superlatives ;Most Awards *Salim–Javed – 3 *Basu Chatterjee – 3 *Rajkumar Hirani – 3 *Mani Ratnam – 2 *V ...
– '' Chhoti Si Baat'' * 1975:
Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie The Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film is awarded during annual Filmfare Awards, given by the Filmfare magazine. The awards are the oldest and most prominent film awards given for Hindi films in India. The yearly awards started in 1954. Mo ...
– ''
Rajnigandha ''Rajnigandha'' () is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Basu Chatterjee. It is based on the short story "Yahi Sach Hai" by noted Hindi writer Mannu Bhandari.Filmfare Best Screenplay Award The Filmfare Best Screenplay Award is given by the ''Filmfare'' magazine as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films. Superlatives ;Most Awards *Salim–Javed – 3 *Basu Chatterjee – 3 *Rajkumar Hirani – 3 *Mani Ratnam – 2 *V ...
– '' Sara Akash''


Filmography


Dialogue writer


Screenplay


Producer


Director (TV series)


Assistant director


Death

Chatterjee died due to an age-related illness at his house in
Mumbai Mumbai (, ; also known as Bombay — the official name until 1995) is the capital city of the Indian state of Maharashtra and the ''de facto'' financial centre of India. According to the United Nations, as of 2018, Mumbai is the secon ...
on 4 June 2020. He was 93 years old.


References


External links

*
Official website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chatterjee, Basu 1930 births 2020 deaths Film directors from Rajasthan Bengali film directors Hindi-language film directors People from Ajmer Filmfare Awards winners University of Calcutta alumni Indian television directors Indian male screenwriters 20th-century Indian film directors 21st-century Indian film directors Directors who won the Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment National Film Award Directors who won the Best Film on Family Welfare National Film Award