Bannerjee, Kali (1921-93)

Bengali actor born in Calcutta. Professional stage actor from 1945 playing e.g. in Mahendra Gupta’s Satabarsha Agey and Tipu Sultan.

Joined IPTA in the late 40s, acting in Tagore’s Bisarjan, staged as a riposte to the extreme Left attacks on the author. Returned to the commercial Calcutta Theatres with Adarsha Hindu Hotel (1953). Early and still best- known film roles in Ghatak’s Nagarik and Ajantrik. Also played the Chinese trader in Mrinal Sen’s Neel Akasher Neechey. Worked extensively with Satyajit Ray (Parash Pathar, Teen Kanya), Tapan Sinha (Louha-Kapat, Hansuli Banker Upakatha, Arohi, Harmonium), Dinen Gupta and Tarun Majumdar. Made a mainstream comeback as an aged eccentric in Anjan Choudhury’s Guru Dakshina.

FILMOGRAPHY: 1947: Burmar Pathey; 1951: Barjatri; 1952: Nagarik; 1955: Rickshawala; Devimalini; Sabar Uparey; Kalindi; 1956: Aparajito; Tonsil; Shilpi; 1957: Surer Parashey; Ogo Sunchho; Ami-Baro- Habo; Louha-Kapat; Parash Pathar; Ajantrik; 1958: Dak Harkara; Nagini Kanyar Kahini; Surya Toran; Rajdhani Theke; Neel Akasher Neechey; 1959: Janmantar; Bari Theke Paliye; Agnisambhaba; Sonar Harin; 1960: Dui Bechara; Prabesh Nishedh; Khudha; Shesh Paryanta; Natun Fasal; 1961: Teen Kanya; Pankatilak; Punashcha; 1962: Hansuli Banker Upakatha; Shubha Drishti; 1963: Ek Tukro Agun; Akash Pradeep; Tridhara; Badshah; 1964: Saptarshi; Kinu Goyalar Gali; Kanta Taar; Arohi; Dui Parba; ubah-o-Debatargrash; 1965: Surer Agun; Dinanter Alo; 1966: Joradighir Choudhury Paribar; 1967: Seba; 1968: Boudi; Hansamithun; Jiban Sangeet; Kokhono Megh; Rakta Rekha; 1969: Protidan; 1970: Shasti; Aleyar Alo; Muktisnan; Rupasi; 1971: Attatar Din Pare; Janani; Nimantran; 1972: Andha Atit; Ajker Nayak; Bighalita Karuna Janhabi Jamuna; Maa-o-Mati; Bawarchi; Subse Bada Sukh; 1973: Agni Bhramar; Pranta Rekha; 1974: Debi Choudhrani; Sangini; Natun Surya; Swikarokti; Umno-o-Jhumno; 1975: Sansar Simantey; Swayamsiddha; Hansaraj; Harmonium; 1976: Dampati; Sandhya Surya; Yugo Manab Kabir; Ek Je Chhilo Desh; 1977: Ae Prithibi Pantha Niwas; Ek Bindu Sukh; Pratima; Behula Lakhinder; 1978: Joi Ma Tara; 1979: Devdas; Nandan; Nauka Dubi; Sunayani; Ghatkali; 1980: Dadar Kirti; Batasi; Bichar; Shesh Bichar; 1981: Manikchand; Maa Bhawani Maa Amar; Meghmukti; Monchor; Subarna Golak; 1982: Simanta Raag; Preyasi; Matir Swarga; Chhoto Maa; Raj Bodhu; Padachinha; 1983: Agami Kal; Arpita; Indira; Jabanbandi; Nishi Bhor; 1984: Sonar Sansar; Ahuti; Mukta Pran; Dada Moni; 1985: Devika; 1986: Urbashe; Parinati; Bouma; Prem Bandhan; 1987: Guru Dakshina; 1988: Chhoto Bou; Parasmoni; Debibaran; Anjali; 1989: Nayanmoni; Shatarupa; Mangaldip; Kari Diye Kinlam; Sati; Mahajan; Nyaya Chakra; 1990: Byabadhan; Debata; Jiban Sangeet; 1991: Ahankar; Sadharan Meye; Anand; Abhagini; Bidhilipi; 1992: Shaitan; Purshottam; 1993: Shraddhanjali; Arjun; 1994: Ami-o-Maa; Salma Sundari; Sudhu Asha; 1995: Boumoni; Abirbhab; Mejo Bou; Pativrata

Actor