Naresh Chandra Mitra (1888-1968)
Bengali actor and director born in Agartala, Tripura. Law graduate from Calcutta University but became a major stage star, starting at Minerva Theatre (1922) with Chandragupta; joined Star Theatre with Karnarjun (1923). Acted in several plays for different companies, mostly playing villains. Entered film to complete Andhare Alo, begun by Sisir Bhaduri. Then actor-director, first at the Taj Mahal company, later at East India Film and Priyanath Ganguly’s Kali Films. Style dominated by Calcutta Theatres conventions in themes commonly drawn from plays/novels based on Rabindranath Tagore (e.g. Nauka Dubi and Gora), Saratchandra Chattopadhyay (Devdas), Anuroopa Devi and on his own stage hits (e.g. Mahanisha, Banglar Meye, Pather Sathi etc). Later films starring Uttam Kumar (e.g. Bou Thakuranir Haat, Annapurnar Mandir) provide rare examples of a 30s stage style continued into post- Independence Bengali film. Acted in several films, such as those by younger Kallol directors like Sailajananda Mukherjee (e.g. Shahar Theke Dooray, Roy Choudhury). Towards the end of his life, was most closely associated with the folk Jatra.
FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1922: Andhare Alo*; 1923: Maanbhanjan*; 1924: Chandranath*; 1927: Durgesh Nandini; 1928: Devdas*; 1929: Kapal Kundala; 1930: Giribala; Kal Parinaya; 1931: Debi Choudhrani; Bibaha Bibhrat; 1932: Nauka Dubi* (all St); 1933: Sabitri*; 1935: Prafulla; 1936: Mahanisha*; Pather Sheshey; Chino Haar; 1938: Gora*; 1939: Sharmishtha*; Chanakya; 1941: Kavi Joydev; Pratishodh; Banglar Meye*; 1942: Pativrata; Bondi; Meenakshi; 1943: Swamir Ghar; Shahar Theke Dooray; 1944: Samaj; 1945: Bondita; 1946: Nivedita; Pather Sathi*; 1947: Swayamsiddha*; Roy Choudhury; Swapna-o-Sadhana; 1949: Bidushi Bharya*; 1950: Kankal*; 1951: Niyati*; Pandit Moshai*; 1953: Bou Thakuranir Haat*; 1954: Annapurnar Mandir*; 1955: Kalindi*; 1957: Ulka*; 1960: Khudha; 1961: Maa; 1968: Parishodh.