Sabitri Chatterjee (b. 1937)
Bengali actress born in Comilla (now Bangladesh). Migrated to Calcutta at an early age; joined films as an extra, usually in dance sequences (e.g. Anuraag, Alladdin-o- Ashcharya Pradeep), while doing realistic theatre (e.g. Salil Sen’s Natun Yahudi, 1951, filmed in 1953). Début as lead actress in Pasher Bari. Following Nirmal Dey’s Basu Parivar and Niren Lahiri?’s Subhadra, gained a reputation for comedy. Developed, along with actresses like Anubha Gupta and Manju Dey, an unorthodox style departing from the melodramatic mode of 40s Bengali film heroines. Also worked on stage, e.g. in Adarsha Hindu Hotel (with Bhanu Bannerjee and Dhiraj Bhattacharya) and in Shyamali (with Uttam Kumar). She starred with Uttam Kumar in 60s films (e.g. Bhranti Bilas). Acted in early Mrinal Sen films (Raat Bhore, Abasheshe) and produced his Pratinidhi.
FILMOGRAPHY: 1951: Anuraag; 1952: Alladdin-o-Ashcharya Pradeep; Pasher Bari; Basu Parivar; Subhadra; 1953: Boudir Bone; Kajari; Natun Yahudi; Keranir Jiban; Sosur Bari; Rami Chandidas; Lakh Taka; Sitar Patal Prabesh; Adrishya Manush; Blind Lane; 1954: Atom Bomb; Moyla Kagaj; Champadangar Bou; Bhanga-Gara; Kalyani; Annapurnar Mandir; 1955: Pather Sheshey; Bidhilipi; Upahar; Godhuli; Dui Bone; Bratacharini; Paresh; Drishti; Kalindi; Ardhangini; Anupama; Raikamal; 1956: Raat Bhore; Paradhin; Mamlar Phal; Chalachal; Govindadas; Maa; Daner Maryada; Sinthir Sindoor; Nabajanma; Savdhan; 1957: Shesh Parichaya; Ektara; Natun Prabhat; Taser Ghar; Kancha-Mithey; Punar Milan; Basanta Bahar; Abhishek; Abhoyer Biye; Baksiddha; Adarsha Hindu Hotel; 1958: Priya; Megh Malhar; Dak Harkara; Nupur; Daktar Babu; Marmabani; 1959: Nauka Bilash; Marutirtha Hinglaj; Shashi Babur Sansar; Gali Theke Rajpath; Abak Prithvi; Rater Andhakare; 1960: Raja-Saja; Kuhak; Haat Baraley Bandhu; Khudha; Gariber Meye; 1961: Dui Bhai; Kanamachi; 1962: Khana; Nav Diganta; Abasheshe; 1963: Uttarayan; Bhranti Bilas; Akash Pradeep; Shreyasi; 1964: Pratinidhi; Marutrisha; Momer Alo; 1965: Antaral; Jaya; Pati Sansodhini Samiti; Dinanter Alo; Gulmohar; Kal Tumi Aleya; 1966: Joradighir Choudhury Paribar; Susanta Sha; 1967: Grihadah; 1968: Baluchari; Pathe Holo Dekha; 1970: Shasti; Aleyar Alo; Kalankita Nayak; Muktisnan; Sheela; Nala Damayanti; Nishipadma; Manjari Opera; 1971: Dhanyi Meye; Pratham Pratisruti; Sansar; Sona Boudi; 1972: Natun Diner Alo; Sapath Nilam; Shesh Parba; 1973: Bhangan; 1974: Umno-o- Jhumno; Mouchak; Swikarokti; 1975: Phool Sajya; Sei Chokh; 1976: Aguner Phulki; 1977: Brajabuli; Mantramugdha; Shesh Raksha; 1978: Hirey Manik; 1980: Raj Nandini; 1981: Pratishodh; 1984: Anveshan; 1985: Hulusthul; Till Theke Tal; 1986: Cheleta; 1987: Nadiya Nagar; Tunibou; 1988: Tumi Koto Sundar; 1989: Amar Shapath; 1991: Abhagini; Ananda Niketan; 1992: Priya; Bahadur; 1993: Maya Mamata; Puraskaar; 1994: Geet Sangeet; Salma Sundari; Abbajan.