Abhi Bhattacharya (1922-93)
Lead actor in late 40s Bengali melodramas, débuting in Bengali version of Nitin Bose’s bilingual Nauka Dubi/Milan (Dilip Kumar took the role in Hindi). Worked at New Theatres (Yatrik) and in independent productions of former New Theatres directors Nitin Bose, Debaki Bose and Bimal Roy (Biraj Bahu). Played the upright hero, evoking the Westernised liberal stereotype often used to characterise pre-WW2 Bengali urban upper middle class. Introduced this image into the Hindi cinema, notably in Hrishikesh Mukherjee films (e.g. Anuradha), extending it into a tragic dimension (e.g. Sohrab Modi’s Jailor). This image was later used to devastating effect by Ghatak? in Subarnarekha, where he played the upright Ishwar. Acted extensively with Satyen Bose as well as in Shakti Samanta’s Aradhana and his Hindi-Bengali bilinguals (e.g. Amanush). Also featured regularly in mythologicals by S. Fattelal? (Jagadguru Shankaracharya, Ayodhyapati), Babubhai Mistri (Mahabharat, Har Har Gange) and Ashish Kumar devotionals.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1946: Nauka Dubi/Milan; 1948: Mayer Dak; 1949: Bisher Dhoan; 1950: Sheshbesh; 1951: Bhairab Mantra; Paritran; Ratnadeep/Ratnadeepam; 1952: Chitta Banhiman; Yatrik; 1953: Naina; Rami Dhoban; Bhor Hoye Elo; 1954: Ankush; Amar Prem; Biraj Bahu; Jagriti; Parichay; Shobha; 1955: Jagadguru Shankaracharya; Naata; 1956: Ayodhyapati; Gauri Puja; Keemat; Sailaab; Suryamukhi; 1957: Aparadhi Kaun; Chhote Babu; Ek Gaon Ki Kahani; Madhu Malati; 1958: Jailor; Teesri Gali; 1959: Deep Jalta Rahe; Fashionable Wife; Hum Bhi Insaan Hain; Love Marriage; 1960: Anuradha; Bade Ghar Ki Bahu; Trunk Call; 1961: Do Bhai; Ramleela; Madhya Rater Tara; Shola Aur habnam; 1962: Aashiq; Subarnarekha; Vallah Kya Baat Hai; 1964: Daal Mein Kala; Dosti; Kohraa; 1965: Mahabharat; 1966: Hum Kahan Ja Rahe Hain; Mere Lal; Netaji Subhashchandra Bose; Pinjre Ke Panchhi; Pari; 1967: Badrinath Yatra; Ghar Ka Chirag; Jab Yaad Kisiki Aati Hai; Milan Ki Raat; Naunihal; 1968: Ashirwad; Har Har Gange; Jyot Jale; 1969: Aradhana; Balak; Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke; Ek Masoom; Jyoti; Mahal; Meri Bhabhi; Prarthana; Ram Bhakta Hanuman; Sambandh; 1970: Aan Milo Sajna; Bhagwan Parashuram; Maa Ka Anchal; Pavitra Papi; Puraskaar; Sharafat; 1971: Amar Prem; Andaz; Door Ka Rahi; Dushman; Hathi Mere Saathi; Kal Aaj Aur Kal; Mata Vaishno Devi; Memsaab; Parwana; Paraya Dhan; Mere Apne; Maryada; Sansar; Seema; Tulasi Vivah; 1972: Anuraag; Hari Darshan; Anokhi Pehchan; Savera; Seeta Aur Geeta; Anokha Milan; Bankelal; Samadhi; 1973: Kahani Hum Sub Ki; Jhoom Utha Akash; Mera Desh Mera Dharam; Kahani Kismat Ki; Mehmaan; 1974: Phir Kab Milogi; Ganga; Bhagat Dhanna Jat; Kasauti; Dost; Har Har Mahadev; Imtehan; Kisan Aur Bhagwan; Prem Shastra; Amanush; Balak Dhruv; 1975: Chaitali; Kehte Hain Mujhko Raja; Maya Machhindra; Pratigya; Badnaam; Phanda; 1976: Bhagwan Samaye Sansar Mein; Do Anjaane; Dus Numbri; Meera Shyam; Sharafat Chhod Di Maine; Phool Aur Insaan; 1977: Behula Lakhinder; Aankh Ka Tara; Anurodh; Gayatri Mahima; Hatyara; Khel Kismat Ka; Ooparwala Jaane; Solah Shukrawar; 1978: Ganga Sagar; Dil Se Mile Dil; Mera Rakshak; 1979: Dil Ka Heera; Raja Harishchandra; Aangan Ki Kali; Chhat Maiya Ki Mahima; 1980: Angar; Taxi Chor; Aanchal; Badla Aur Balidan; Chaalbaaz; 1981: Ganga Maang Rahi Balidan; Barsaat Ki Ek Raat/Anusandhan?; Commander; Dhuaan; 1982: Lekhne Mathe Mekh; 1983: Bekhabar; Gumnaam Hai Koi; Sant Ravidas Ki Amar Kahani; Dhat Tere Ki; Navratri; 1984: Shravan Kumar; Sulagte Arman; Harishchandra Shaibya; 1985: Mayuri (H); 1986: Woh Din Aayega; 1987: Daku Hasina; Sadak Chhaap; Khudgarz; Mera Karam Mera Dharam; 1989: Sansar; Santosh; Swarna Trishna.