Soumitra Chatterjee (b. 1934)

Bengali star. Started as radio announcer. Trained as actor under Ahindra Choudhury while still a student. Wrote, directed and acted in plays like Rajkumar and Naam Jiban. Also a poet and initiator of one of Bengal’s best- known literary journals, Ekshan, which he co- edited with Nirmalya Acharya. With Uttam Kumar the major 60s and 70s star of Bengali film. Début with Ray’s Apur Sansar; has thereafter remained associated with Ray, and was described by Pauline Kael as his ‘one-man stock company’. Chidananda Das Gupta (Talking About Films, 1981) suggested Ray cast him so often because of a distinct physical resemblance to the young Tagore. Repeated aspects of his most famous Ray role in Charulata as a leitmotiv in Kapurush and Aranyer Din Ratri, of the brash but insecure hero. Also played the detective Felu in children’s films (Sonar Kella, Joi Baba Felunath) and several ‘character’ roles, including the rough taxi driver in Abhijaan and the famine-stricken Brahmin in Ashani Sanket. The hit Jhinder Bandi featured a rare joint appearance with Uttam Kumar (they also did Stree together). Other major roles in Tapan Sinha’s Kshudista Pashan, Mrinal Sen’s Akash Kusum, several Ajoy Kar films (Saat Pake Bandha, Kanch Kata Hirey) and Majumdar’s Sansar Simantey and Ganadevata. Since Ghare Baire spent more time on the stage and doing poetry readings. Published Swagato, an antholology of essays on cinema, theatre and acting (1996).

FILMOGRAPHY: 1959: Apur Sansar; 1960: Devi; Kshudista Pashan; 1961: Swaralipi; Teen Kanya; Swayambara; Jhinder Bandi; Punashcha; 1962: Shasti; Atal Jaler Ahwan; Agun; Banarasi; Abhijaan; 1963: Saat Pake Bandha; Shesh Prahar; Barnali; 1964: Pratinidhi; Charulata; Kinu Goyalar Gali; Ayananta; 1965: Baksha Badal; Ek Tuku Basa; Raj Kanya; Kapurush; Akash Kusum; Eki Ange Eto Rup; 1966: Joradighir Choudhury Paribar; Kanch Kata Hirey; Manihar; 1967: Ajana Shapath; Hathat Dekha; Mahashweta; Prastar Swakshar; 1968: Baghini; Parishodh; 1969: Aparichita; Chena Achena; Parineeta; Teen Bhubhaner Parey; Aranyer Din Ratri 1970: Aleyar Alo; Padmagolap; Pratham Kadam Phool; 1971: Khunje Berai; Malyadaan; Sansar; 1972: Jiban Saikate; Natun Diner Alo; Stree; Basanta Bilap; Bilet Pherat; 1973: Ashani Sanket; Epar Opar; Nishi Kanya; Shesh Pristhay Dekhun; Agni Bhramar; 1974: Asati; Jadi Jantem; Sangini; Sonar Kella; Chhutir Phande; 1975: Nishi Mrigaya; Sansar Simantey; Sudur Niharika; 1976: Datta; Nandita; 1977: Babu Moshai; Mantramugdha; Pratima; 1978: Nadi Theke Sagare; Ganadevata; Job Charnaker Bibi; Joi Baba Felunath; Pronoy Pasha; 1979: Devdas; Nauka Dubi; 1980: Darpachurna; Gharer Baire Ghar; Hirak Rajar Deshe; Pankhiraj; 1981: Father; Nyay Anyay; Khelar Putul; Pratishodh; 1982: Bijoyini; Rashmayir Rashikala; Preyasi; Matir Swarga; Agradani; Simanta Raag; 1983: Indira; Chena Achena; Amar Geeti; 1984: Achena Mukh; Kony; Lal Golap; Ghare Baire; Vasundhara; 1985: Baikunther Will; Tagori; Sandhya Pradeep; 1986: Urbashe; Shyam Saheb; Atanka; 1987: Raj Purush; Nyay Adhikar; Sukumar Ray; Amor Sangi; 1988: Channachara; Agaman; Agni Sanket; Agun; Debibaran; Anjali; Pratik; 1989: Maryada; Amar Shapath; Ganashatru; Ladaai (B); Shatarupa; 1990: Anuraag; Ekti Jiban; Chetana; Jwar Bhata; Abhimanyu; Manasi; Ekhane Amar Swarga; Apon Amar Apon; Shakha Proshakha; 1991: Mahaprithibi; Abhagini; Ek Pashla Brishti; Antardhan; 1992: Raktalekha; Indrajit; 1993: Uttoran; Mon Mane Na; Puraskaar; Sampark; Pashanda Pandit; Ghar Sansar; Prajapati; 1994: Wheel Chair; Sopan; Shesh Chitthi; Gajamukta; 1995: Kumari Maa; Shesh Pratiksha; Boumoni; Mashaal; Kakababu Here Gelen; Mejo Bou; Ujan; Bhagyadevata.

Actor