Protima Dasgupta (b. 1922)
Hindi actress, producer and director born in Bhavnagar into wealthy family. Studied briefly in England; then at Tagore’s Shantiniketan where she was apparently a favoured student. Début in Naresh Mitra’s film of Tagore’s Gora, her role apparently satisfying the author. Hindi début in Modhu Bose’s trilingual Raj Nartaki. Acted in three films directed by Kishore Sahu. Turned film-maker with Chhamia followed by the comedy Pagle, both with leading stars Begum Para and David. Her Jharna got into trouble when the Chief Minister of Bombay Presidency, Morarji Desai, banned it for what he felt were sexually explicit scenes. The film was a financial disaster and she retired from the cinema.
FILMOGRAPHY : (* also d): 1938: Gora; 1940: Path Bhoole; Suktara; Byabadhan; 1941: Raj Nartaki/Court? Dancer; 1942: Kunwara Baap; 1943: Namaste; Raja; 1944: Shararat; 1945: Chhamia*; 1948: Jharna*; 1950: Pagle*.