'''Agradoot'''

Best-known instance of phenomenon unique to Bengali cinema: group of film technicians signing collectively as director. The Agradoot core unit, formed in 1946, consisted initially of Bibhuti Laha (cameraman born in 1915), Jatin Datta (sound), Sailen Ghosal (lab work), Nitai Bhattacharya (scenarist) and Bimal Ghosh (production). Bibhuti Laha was the driving force and after most of the other members had left the group, he continued directing under the Agradoot name while working as a cinematographer under his own name. They made several commercially successful late 50s and 60s sentimental socials starring Uttam
Kumar, esp. Agni Pareeksha (remade as
Chhotisi Mulaqat, 1967) and the early colour
production Pathe Holo Deri). Another hit, Lalu
Bhulu, was remade as Dosti (1959). Other
film-makers who passed through the group
include Saroj De, Salil Dutta and Aravind
Mukherjee. Other well-known collectives
include Sabhyasachi (cf. Ajoy Kar), Agragami, Yatrik, Chitra Rath and Chitra Sathi.

[[Glossary]]
[[Director]]