Kanu Bannerjee (1905-85)

Bengali actor born in Jodhpur. Known primarily as the father, Harihar Rai, in Satyajit Ray’s Apu Trilogy. Early work in plays directed by ​Sisir Bhaduri (Alamgir, 1932; Biraj Bou, 1934). Mainly known as a stage comedian, also celebrated for his ‘realist’ performance, first on stage (1947) then in film, as the hapless Jamal, wrongly accused for stealing a bag of rice during the 1943 famine and tortured by police, in Tulsi Lahiri’s Dukhir Iman. Introduced into films by Phani Majumdar. Early (pre-Ray) film work with writer-film-makers Sailajananda Mukherjee (Shahar Theke Dooray?) and Premendra Mitra (Kuasha) (see Kallol Group).

FILMOGRAPHY: 1938: Desher Mati; 1940: Doctor; 1941: Epar Opar; Pratishodh; Nandini; 1942: Garmil; Pashan Devata; Avayer Biye; Mahakavi Kalidas; 1943: Sahadharmini; Swamir Ghar; Nilanguriya; Dampati; Shahar Theke Dooray; Jogajoj; 1944: Birinchi Baba; Bideshini; Pratikar; 1945: Nandita; Kato Door; Abhinay Nay; Do Tana; Path Bendhe Dilo; Bhabhi-Kaal; 1946: Natun Bou; Nivedita; Matrihara; Dukhe Jader Jiban Gara; 1947: Ratri; Chorabali; Swapna-o-Sadhana; Abhijog; Dui Bandhu; 1948: Mayer Dak; Sarbahara; Bish Bichar Agey; Priyatama; 1949: Rangamati; Bamuner Meye; Kuasha; Parash Pathar; 1950: Mandanda; Digbhranta; 1951: Aparajito; Pandit Moshai; 1952: Ratrir Tapasya; Prarthana; Siraj-ud-Dowla; 1953: Haranath Pandit; Natun Yahudi; 1954: Moner Mayur; Dukhir Iman; Champadangar Bou; Kalyani; Sadanander Mela; Sati; Bhanga-Gara; Mantra Shakti; 1955: Sanjher Pradeep; Aparadhi; Bir Hambir; Jyotishi; Upahar; Pather Panchali; Bhagwan Shri Shri Ramakrishna; 1956: Govindadas; Daner Maryada; Aparajito; 1957: Punar Milan; 1958: Sadhak Bama Kshyapa; Shri Shri Tarakeshwar; Marmabani; 1959: Abhishap; 1961: Pankatilak; Kathin Maya; Aaj Kal Parshu; Madhureno; 1964: Ketumi; 1967: Mahashweta; 1969: Banajyotsna; 1970: Ae Korechho Bhalo; Diba Ratrir Kabya; 1972: Alo Amar Alo; 1973: Agni Bhramar; Janmabhoomi; 1978: Tushar Tirtha Amarnath; 1980: Shodh; 1981: Pahadi Phool

Actor