Tapan Sinha: Difference between revisions

What links here Related changes Page information Get shortened URL
Created by Billjones94
Last edited December 22, 2025
← Older edit
VisualWikitext
->Citation bot
Add: date. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Indian male screenwriters | #UCB_Category 528/547
enhanced formatting and added references
 
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Indian film director}}
{{short description|Indian film director (1924–2009)}}
{{For|the Indian Navy vice admiral|Tapan Sinha (admiral)}}
{{For|the Indian Navy vice admiral|Tapan Sinha (admiral)}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{More citations needed|date=November 2015}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2013}}
{{Use British English|date=September 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2018}}
{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
|name = Tapan Sinha
|name = Tapan Sinha
|image = Tapan Sinha 2013 stamp of India.jpg
|image = Tapan Sinha 2013 stamp of India.jpg
|caption =Sinha on a 2013 stamp of India
|caption = Sinha on a 2013 stamp of India
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1924|10|2}}
|birth_date = {{Birth date|df=yes|1924|10|2}}
|birth_place = [[Calcutta]], [[Bengal Presidency]], [[British India]] <br/> (present-day Kolkata, India)
|birth_place = [[Murshidabad]], Bengal Presidency, [[British India]] <br/> {{small|(present-day Murshidabad, West Bengal, India)}}
|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2009|01|15|1924|10|2}}
|death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2009|01|15|1924|10|2}}
|death_place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
|death_place = [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]], [[India]]
Line 21: Line 21:
|signature=Tapan Sinha Signature.jpg
|signature=Tapan Sinha Signature.jpg
|signature_alt=Tapan Singa signature
|signature_alt=Tapan Singa signature
| awards    = [[Dadasaheb Phalke Award]] (2006)
}}
}}


'''Tapan Sinha''' (2 October 1924 – 15 January 2009) <ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/12/tapan-sinha-obituary-indian-filmmaker|title=Award-winning Indian film-maker influenced by Capra and Wilder|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 May 2009}}</ref> was one of the most prominent Indian film directors of his time forming a legendary quartet with [[Satyajit Ray]], [[Ritwik Ghatak]] and [[Mrinal Sen]]. He was primarily a Bengali filmmaker who worked both in [[Hindi cinema]] and [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]], directing films like  ''[[Kabuliwala (1957 film)|Kabuliwala]]'' (1957), ''Louha-Kapat'', ''[[Sagina Mahato]]'' (1970), ''[[Apanjan]]'' (1968), ''Kshudhita Pashan'' and children's film ''[[Safed Haathi]]'' (1978) and ''Aaj Ka Robinhood''. Sinha started his career in 1946, as a sound engineer with [[New Theatres]] film production house in Kolkata, then in 1950 left for England where he worked at [[Pinewood Studios]] for next two years, before returning home to start his six decade long career in Indian cinema, making films in Bengali, Hindi and Oriya languages, straddling genres from social realism, family drama, labor rights, to children's fantasy films. He was one of the acclaimed filmmakers of [[Parallel Cinema]] movement of India.
'''Tapan Sinha''' (2 October 1924 – 15 January 2009)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2009/may/12/tapan-sinha-obituary-indian-filmmaker|title=Award-winning Indian film-maker influenced by Capra and Wilder|work=[[The Guardian]]|date=12 May 2009}}</ref> was one of the most prominent Indian film directors of his time forming a legendary quartet with [[Satyajit Ray]], [[Ritwik Ghatak]] and [[Mrinal Sen]]. He was primarily a Bengali filmmaker who worked both in [[Hindi cinema]] and [[Cinema of West Bengal|Bengali cinema]], directing films like  ''[[Kabuliwala (1957 film)|Kabuliwala]]'' (1957), ''Louha-Kapat'', ''[[Sagina Mahato]]'' (1970), ''[[Apanjan]]'' (1968), ''Kshudhita Pashan'' and children's film ''[[Safed Haathi]]'' (1978) and ''Aaj Ka Robinhood''. Sinha started his career in 1946, as a sound engineer with [[New Theatres]] film production house in Kolkata, then in 1950 left for England where he worked at [[Pinewood Studios]] for next two years,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tapan Sinha's first film 'Ankush' was based on which story? |url=https://www.gktoday.in/question/tapan-sinhas-first-film-ankush-was-based-on-which |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=www.gktoday.in}}</ref> before returning home to start his six decade long career in Indian cinema, making films in Bengali, Hindi and Oriya languages, straddling genres from social realism, family drama, labor rights, to children's fantasy films. He was one of the acclaimed filmmakers of [[Parallel Cinema]] movement of India.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Gokulsing |first1=K. Moti |last2=Dissanayake |first2=Wimal |author-link2=Wimal Dissanayake |title=Indian Popular Cinema: A Narrative of Cultural Change |publisher=Trentham Books |year=2004 |location=Stoke-on-Trent, UK |isbn=978-1-85856-329-9 |edition=New rev. |page=17 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |title=Gender, Nation, and Globalization in Monsoon Wedding and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge |first=Jenny |last=Sharpe |journal=Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism |volume=6 |issue=1 |year=2005 |pages=58–81 [60 & 75] |doi=10.1353/mer.2005.0032|s2cid=143666869 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |first=Sharmistha |last=Gooptu |title=Reviewed work(s): ''The Cinemas of India'' (1896–2000) by Yves Thoraval |journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]] |volume=37 |issue=29 |date=July 2002 |pages=3023–4 }}</ref>


==Personal life and background==
==Personal life and background==
Sinha was born in [[Kolkata]], [[West Bengal]]. His empathy for films began from his student life. He was admitted in the Durgacharan M. E. School of [[Bhagalpur]] in the fifth standard. Later it went on to become a secondary school. His Principal was Surendranath Gangopadhyay who happened to be [[Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay]]’s maternal uncle.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://learningandcreativity.com/interview-tapan-sinha/|title = Never Have I Made the Same Kind of Film: An Interview With Tapan Sinha (Part-I) – Learning and Creativity|website = Learning and Creativity|date = 2 October 2014|language = en-US|access-date = 3 March 2016}}</ref> He studied physics at the [[University of Patna]] and later earned an MSc at the [[Rajabazar Science College]], [[University of Calcutta]].
Sinha was born in [[Murshidabad]], [[West Bengal]]. His empathy for films began from his student life. He was admitted in the Durgacharan M. E. School of [[Bhagalpur]] in the fifth standard. Later it went on to become a secondary school. His Principal was Surendranath Gangopadhyay who happened to be [[Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay]]'s maternal uncle.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://learningandcreativity.com/interview-tapan-sinha/|title = Never Have I Made the Same Kind of Film: An Interview With Tapan Sinha (Part-I) – Learning and Creativity|website = Learning and Creativity|date = 2 October 2014|language = en-US|access-date = 3 March 2016}}</ref> He studied physics at the [[University of Patna]] and later earned an M.Sc. at the [[Rajabazar Science College]], [[University of Calcutta]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ankush (1954) |url=https://indiancine.ma/HBN |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Indiancine.ma}}</ref>


He married [[India]]n actress [[Arundhati Devi]]. Their son is Indian scientist Professor, [[Anindya Sinha]].
He married [[India]]n actress [[Arundhati Devi]]. Their son is Indian scientist professor, [[Anindya Sinha]].


On 15 January 2009, he died of [[pneumonia]] and [[septicaemia]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7830022.stm|title=Top Indian filmmaker Sinha dies|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>
On 15 January 2009, he died of [[pneumonia]] and [[septicaemia]].<ref name="Top Indian filmmaker Sinha dies">{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/7830022.stm|title=Top Indian filmmaker Sinha dies|work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2012}}
{{more citations needed section|date=October 2012}}


[[Charles Dickens]]'s novel, ''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'' and the cinematic adaptation featuring [[Ronald Colman]] inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Tapan Sinha went to London in the 1950s to learn film-making. On reaching London, he contacted CryHearsth, Manager of Pinewood Studios. Through his help, he managed to obtain his first assignment. He got to work in director [[Charles Cryton]]'s unit as a [[Sound Engineer]]. Cryton, who made some British comedies like [[The Lavender Hill Mob]] etc. was then working for a film called ''The Hunted''. Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.
[[Charles Dickens]]'s novel, ''[[A Tale of Two Cities]]'' and the cinematic adaptation featuring [[Ronald Colman]] inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Tapan Sinha went to London in the 1950s to learn film-making. On reaching London, he contacted CryHearsth, Manager of Pinewood Studios. Through his help, he managed to obtain his first assignment. He got to work in director [[Charles Crichton]]'s unit as a [[sound engineer]]. Cryton, who made some British comedies like [[The Lavender Hill Mob]] etc. was then working for a film called ''The Hunted''. Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.


Tapan Sinha was greatly influenced by contemporary American and British Cinema, in his youth. Among his favourite directors were John Ford, Carol Reed, and Billy Wilder. He used to think that he had to make films on the lines of his favourites. [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s work had been a great source of inspiration to him as well. Different Tagore works had special significance to him in various moments of his life.
Tapan Sinha was greatly influenced by contemporary American and British Cinema, in his youth. Among his favourite directors were John Ford, Carol Reed, and Billy Wilder. He used to think that he had to make films on the lines of his favourites. [[Rabindranath Tagore]]'s work had been a great source of inspiration to him as well. Different Tagore works had special significance to him in various moments of his life.<ref>{{cite web |date=29 August 2013 |title=Saluting Indomitable Human Spirit: Tribute to Tapan Sinha |url=http://www.learningandcreativity.com/tapan-sinha/ |access-date=3 February 2014 |publisher=Learning and Creativity}}</ref>


Sinha's first film, ''Ankush'', is based on the [[Narayan Ganguly]]'s story ''Sainik'', which had an elephant as the central character. His next ''Uphaar'' featured [[Uttam Kumar]], [[Manju Dey]] and others. His ''[[Aadhar Periye]]'' featured [[Madhabi Mukherjee]], [[Subhendu Chatterjee]], [[Sumitra Mukherjee]], [[Anil Chatterjee]], [[Nirmal Kumar]], [[Subrota Chaterji]], [[Bikash Roy]], Kalyan Chaterji, [[Chinmoy Roy]] and others. It is based on a story by [[Chittaranjan Maity]]. Sinha's ''Hatey Bazare'' is based on an autobiographical story by [[Banophool]]. [[Ashok Kumar]] and [[Vyjantimala Bali]] are the central performers.
Sinha's first film, ''Ankush'', is based on the [[Narayan Gangopadhyay|Narayan Ganguly]]'s story ''Sainik'', which had an elephant as the central character.<ref>{{cite news |date=2010-04-09 |title=Master-prints of Tapan Sinha's classics go missing |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/news-archive/web/masterprints-of-tapan-sinhas-classics-go-missing/ |access-date=2024-04-24 |work=[[The Indian Express]] |language=en}}</ref> Sinha's ''Ek Je Chilo Desh'' is a fantasy film, based on a story by [[Mani Shankar Mukherjee|Shankar]]. He made a few documentaries, including a biographical film on scientist Jagadish Bose. He also used [[Rabindra Sangeet|Rabindrasangeet]] in other films. Sinha's ''[[Sagina Mahato]]'' might be categorized as a political film, although it was [[reactionary]] in nature and was a direct attack on [[left-wing politics]]. It tried to disrepute organized struggle by championing the individual heroism of a worker. The Hindi version of the film, named "Sagina", also stars Dilp Kumar as the central character. The film was entered into the [[7th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1971">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1971 |title=7th Moscow International Film Festival (1971) |access-date=23 December 2012 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403094201/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1971 |archive-date=3 April 2014  }}</ref>


Sinha's ''Ek Je Chilo Desh'' is a fantasy film, based on a story by [[Mani Shankar Mukherjee|Shankar]]. It concerns a mad scientist who discovers a drug that can reveal an individual's dishonest past. Evil traders and politicians whose lives are endangered by these discoveries conspire to kill the scientist. The cast features [[Dipankar De]], [[Sumitra Mukherji]], [[Kali Banerji]], [[Anil Chatterjee]] and others.
His ''[[Daughters of This Century]]'' Starring [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Jaya Bachchan]], [[Madhuri Dixit]], [[Nandita Das]], [[Deepa Sahi]], and [[Sulabha Deshpande]] in central roles, marked a new beginning in Indian Cinema.


Sinha's ''Louho Kopat'' is based on the story of the Bengali writer Jorasandho. The film stars [[Kamal Mitra]], Nirmal Kumar as the jailer and Anil Chaterji in a character role. ''Sabuj Dweeper Raja'' is a children's film, shot in the [[Andaman and Nicobar Islands]]. It is based on a story by [[Sunil Ganguly]]. Sinha's ''Hansuli Banker Upakatha'' is based on a story by [[Tara Shankar Banerji]] and stars [[Lily Chakraborty]].
Raja Sen's documentary on Tapan Sinha is entitled ''Filmmaker for Freedom''.


''Kabuliwallah'' is based on a story by [[Rabindranath Tagore]]. Kabullliwallah ([[Chhabi Biswas]]) who is dreaded by children turns out to love children. The actors include Chhabi Biswas, [[Tinku Thakur]] as Mini, [[Radhamohan Bhattacharji]] and [[Manju De]]. Tinku Thakur plays Mini, the role of the little girl in the film, and [[Jiban Bose]] has a role as well as a jailer, who has good faith in the Kabulliwallah. The [[Rabindra Sangeet]] ''Khoro Bayu Boy Bege Chari Dik Chaye Meghe'' is used in the film. <!--The film portrays Sinha's personality, a child at heart. --> <!-- The same trait is reflected in films like ''Galpo Holleo Satti'', ''Harm'' and ''Safed Hathi''.--> He also directed famous movies like, ''Galpo Holleo Satti'' (Story but True), ''Harm'' and ''Safed Hathi'' (in Hindi, White Elephant).
Sinha's wife, filmmaker and actress Arundhuti Devi, died in 1990.


''Kabulliwallah'' (1956) was subsequently remade in Hindi by [[Bimal Roy]] and directed by Heman Gupta, featuring [[Balraj Sahni|Balraj Sahani]]. Oerdellin was cast as the child lead. The film won the Music Award and the [[Silver Bear]] at the [[7th Berlin International Film Festival]].<ref name="Berlinale 1957">{{cite web |url=http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1957/03_preistr_ger_1957/03_Preistraeger_1957.html |title=7th Berlin International Film Festival: Prize Winners |access-date=29 December 2009 |work=berlinale.de}}</ref>
Sinha's final venture, the children's filme ''Anokha Moti'', was incomplete. The film stars Arjun Chakravorty, and is being made in Hindi.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-11-02 |title=Sinha's never-seen-before stories, script thrill cinephiles |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata/sinhas-never-seen-before-stories-script-thrill-cinephiles/articleshow/104873183.cms |access-date=2024-04-24 |work=The Times of India |issn=0971-8257}}</ref>


Sinha made a few documentaries, including a biographical film on scientist Jagadish Bose. He also used Rabindrasangeet in other films. The Rabindrasangeet ''Keno Choker Jole Bijeye Dile Na, Sukhno Dulo Joto'' is used in his film ''[[Ekhoni]]''. The film featured Swaroop Dutta, [[Aparna Sen]], [[Moushumi Chatterjee]], Nirmal Kumar, [[Chinmoy Roy]], Padda Devi, [[Subhendu Chatterjee]], N.Vishwanathan and others. The film was based on a novel by [[Ramapada Chowdhury]].
Sinha composed the music for many of his films. At the end of his career, he composed the music for the Bengali film [[Tara (2010 film)|''Tara'']], directed by [[Bratya Basu]], which was released after his death.


''Khoniker Atithe'' features Nirmal Kumar, [[Ruma Guha Thakurta]], Anil Chaterji, Tulsi Lahiri, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee and others. The film is based on a story of Tagore.
==Death==


Sinha's ''Arohi'' features actors like Kali Banerji, Bikash Roy, Shipra and Bhanu Banerji. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as ''Arjun Pandit''.''Arohi'' was based on a story by Banophool. ''Safed Hathi'', a children's film made in Hindi, features Shatrughan Sinha and Mala Jaggi, and also stars Gayatri. Kalyan Chaterji played a cameo role as a postman. The story was written by Sinha himself.
On 15 January 2009, he died of [[pneumonia]] and [[septicaemia]].<ref name="Top Indian filmmaker Sinha dies"/>


Sinha's ''Zindagi Zindagi'' is a Hindi film with Sunil Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. It fared badly, possibly because the narration was too subtle for Hindi audiences.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}. ''Atithi''  featured [[Partha Mukherjee]], Smita Sinha and [[Ajitesh Banerjee]]. ''Tonsil'' is a comedy film, in which [[Madhabi Mukherjee]] made her debut.
==Legacy==
 
In January 2010, the then railway minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], laid the foundation stone of the Tapan Sinha Memorial Metro Hospital, at [[Tollygunge]], [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tension with Suman palpable on dais |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Tension-with-Suman-palpable-on-dais/articleshow/5425825.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929020914/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-09/kolkata/28147660_1_mamata-banerjee-tapan-sinha-sagina-mahato |url-status=live |archive-date=29 September 2011 |date=9 January 2010 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref>
His ''[[Jhinder Bandi]]'' is based on a story by [[Saradindu Bandyopadhyay]], the well-known historical story writer in Bengali literature, although it was based on the English novel "[[The Prisoner of Zenda]]" by [[Anthony Hope]]. The actors include [[Uttam Kumar]], [[Arundhati Devi]], [[Soumitra Chatterjee]], Radhamohan Bhattacharji, [[Tarun Kumar Chatterjee|Tarun Kumar]], Dilip Roy, Sandhya Roy. The first film in which [[Uttam Kumar|Uttam]] and [[Soumitra Chatterjee|Soumitra]] starred together was Sinha's ''[[Jhinder Bandi]]'' in which Soumitra was, for the first time, cast as the villain,"Mayurbahan". He had worked in barely a handful of films until then, aside from starting off as the struggling Apu buffeted by waves of tragedy. The film was a success, and yet did not typecast Soumitra with the permanent mark of a villain, as it might have been apt to do with other actors.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
Tapan's works left an impact and influence on Bollywood filmmakers like [[Hemen Gupta]], [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]], [[Gulzar]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bengali/movies/news/remakes-of-bengali-films-whats-new-in-this-trend/articleshow/72241437.cms|title = Remakes of Bengali films: What's new in this trend? - Times of India| website=[[The Times of India]] | date=27 November 2019 }}</ref> [[Ashutosh Gowariker]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/galpa-holeo-satyi-the-family-as-a-microcosm-of-the-nation/article8991071.ece|title=The family as a microcosm of the nation|first=Hari|last=Narayan|website=[[The Hindu]] |date=15 August 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Sony closes Hindi film distrib biz|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Arti|last=Mathur|date=30 December 2001|access-date=18 March 2022|url=https://variety.com/2001/tv/news/sony-closes-hindi-film-distrib-biz-1117857835/}}</ref>
 
and Bengali filmmakers like [[Raja Sen]], [[Kamaleshwar Mukherjee]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Film Director Raja Sen Speaks About His New Movie (Interview)|url=http://www.voanews.com/bangla/archive/2007-10/2007-10-29-voa4.cfm?moddate=2007-10-29 |date=29 October 2007 |publisher= [[VOA News]]}}{{dead link|date=April 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> His work highly influence and impact and popular culture by Bengali filmmaker [[Tarun Majumdar]] and Nowadays, [[Suman Ghosh (director)]]. While in London, he was exposed to the works of Italian directors Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica and Roberto Rossellini. Tapan Sinha has also served as a member of the jury in the popular film festivals at Tashkent and San Francisco among others.<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=bn:চিরতরুণ|url=https://eisamay.indiatimes.com/kolkata-collage-kolkattewali/new-town/about-bengali-film-director-tarun-majumdar/articleshow/47745555.cms|access-date=2021-01-03|website=Ei Samay|language=bn|archive-date=4 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220704074602/https://eisamay.com/kolkata-collage-kolkattewali/new-town/about-bengali-film-director-tarun-majumdar/articleshow/47745555.cms|url-status=live}}</ref> Tapan Sinha has been selected for the [[Dada Saheb Phalke Award]] for the year 2006 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
Sinha's ''[[Sagina Mahato]]'' might be categorized as a political film, although it was [[reactionary]] in nature and was a direct attack on [[left-wing politics]]. It tried to disrepute organized struggle by championing the individual heroism of a worker. [[Dilip Kumar]] and [[Saira Banu]] play the central characters. [[Anil Chatterjee]] also has a supporting role. The Hindi version of the film, named "Sagina", also stars Dilp Kumar as the central character. The film was entered into the [[7th Moscow International Film Festival]].<ref name="Moscow1971">{{cite web |url=http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1971 |title=7th Moscow International Film Festival (1971) |access-date=23 December 2012 |work=MIFF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140403094201/http://www.moscowfilmfestival.ru/miff34/eng/archives/?year=1971 |archive-date=3 April 2014  }}</ref>
 
Sinha's ''Kalamati'' was the first film to deal with life in creches in coalmine areas. Made in 1957, it was much ahead of its time. Anil Chaterji has a role in the film. ''Raja'' stars [[Debraj Ray (actor)|Debraj Ray]], [[Samit Bhanja|Shamit Bhanja]], Arati Bhattacharjee, [[Mahua Roychoudhury]], Anil Chaterji, Santu Mukherji and others.
 
''[[Apanjan]]'' is a story of unemployed youths, starring Swarup Dutta and Shamit Bhanja, Chhya Devi, Robi Ghosh, Nirmal Kumar, Sumita Sanyal. This early film focuses on a movement similar to Naxalism in later days. ''Apon Jan'' was remade in Hindi by Gulzar as ''Mere Apne''. The film also features Chaya Devi, Rabi Ghosh, Bhanu Banerji, Kalyan Chaterji, Partha Mukherjee, Nirmal Kumar and others.
 
'Aaj Ka Robinhood'', a children's film funded partly by the government and a producer, Jalan, has been screened at twelve International Film Festivals, including Tashkent, Berlin, and Sofia. The film has a running time of 80 minutes. Dubbed in English, it has the English title ''Return of Robin Hood''. In this 1987 film, Sinha returned to the world of children and filmed in Hindi.
 
''Nirjan Saikate'' has performers like Anil Chaterji, [[Sharmila Tagore]], [[Chhaya Devi]], [[Ruma Guha Thakurta]], Bharati, Renuka, [[Rabi Ghosh]], [[Pahari Sanyal]], [[Nabadip Haldar]] and Jahar Ganguly. It is the story of five widows, was based on a story by [[Kalkut]] (pen-name of [[Samaresh Basu]]). In an interview, Tapan Sinha said "He believes that widows have a right to get married. Great social reformers like [[Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar|Vidyasagar]] and [[Swami Vivekananda|Vivekananda]] strove ceaselessly to bring about this practice."{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} ''Harmonium'' features Durgadas Banerji, Anil Chaterji, [[Satya Banerjee]], Arati Bhattacharji, Swaroop Dutta, Kali Banerji, Samit Bhanja, and Chaya Devi.
 
''Bancharamer Bagan'' includes a performance by [[Manoj Mitra]] as an old gardener. Chaplinesque in its approach, the film depicts the tragedy of a small man in this big world. In ''Khudito Pasan'', Dilip Roy gives a performance as a moghul king. This film, based on a story by Gurudev [[Rabindranath Tagore]], also stars Soumitra Chaterji.
 
Sinha's ''Jatugriho (Uttam and Arundhuti Devi, [[Bikash Roy]])'' is a fascinating film drawn from everyday life, specifically what happens when two individuals (Uttam & Arundhuti) meet, quite unexpectedly, on a train, after a long gap in which they have not seen one another. The subject of marital discord has rarely been dealt with more finesse in Indian films.
 
Sinha's speciality lay in making his images speak with  use of symbolism. For instance, in ''Jatugriho'' (based on a short story by Subodh Ghosh), the estranged couple meet by chance in the waiting room of a railway station after years of separation. As the past becomes alive again, they deliberate whether to reunite but decide against it. As they leave by separate trains, heading in opposite directions, the shot cuts to the waiter in the kitchen hanging up their tea cups in two separate hooks, far away from each other but looking very much a pair. A remarkable closing shot that summed up the tragedy of marital discord.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.learningandcreativity.com/tapan-sinha/|title=Saluting Indomitable Human Spirit: Tribute to Tapan Sinha|publisher=Learning and Creativity |date=29 August 2013 |access-date=3 February 2014}}</ref>


''Golpo Holo Satyi'' is a satirical film on how a heaven-sent servant (played by [[Rabi Ghosh|Robi Ghosh]]) brings order and peace to a quarreling disorganized family. [[Bhanu Bandopadhyay|Bhanu Bandyopadhyay]], Prasad Mukherjee, [[Bankim Ghosh]], Ajay, Partha Mukherjee & [[Chinmoy Roy]] and some lesser-known actors (with the exceptions of Bharati and [[Chhaya Devi]]) comprise the cast. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as ''[[Bawarchi]]'', with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role.
==Television career==
 
''[[Aadmi Aur Aurat]]'' is based on a story by Prafulla Roy. [[Amol Palekar]] and [[Mahua Roychoudhury|Mahua Roy Choudhury]] acted in this telefilm. Aadmi Aur Aurat was remade in Bengali as ''Manush'' (starring Samit Bhanja and Devika Mukherjee) by the director himself.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Nag |first=Amitava |date=2023-11-08 |title=Revisiting Bengali master Tapan Sinha's undervalued Hindi movies |url=https://scroll.in/reel/1058661/revisiting-bengali-master-tapan-sinhas-undervalued-hindi-movies |access-date=2024-04-24 |website=Scroll.in |language=en-US}}</ref> Sinha made another telefilm ''Didi'' with Deepti Naval as the central character.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Eight segments to showcase Indian Films at IFFI - 07|date=15 November 2007|publisher=[[Press Information Bureau]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120301140024/http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=32696|archive-date=1 March 2012|url=http://pib.nic.in/newsite/erelease.aspx?relid=32696|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11211|title=A number of golden oldies at IFFI for movie buffs|date=21 November 2007|work=[[The Navhind Times]]|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070527141430/http://www.navhindtimes.com/articles.php?Story_ID=11211|archive-date=27 May 2007|url-status=dead|access-date=30 December 2007}}</ref> Sinha made a detective TV serial ''Hutumer Naksa.''
''Atanka'' is based on a true story about a teacher who witnessed a murder, and his subsequent harassment and torture and harassment by the group of hoodlums who committed the crime. [[Soumitra Chatterjee|Soumitra]], [[Satabdi Roy]] and [[Prosenjit Chatterjee|Prasenjit Chatterje]] are the central performers, along with Nirmal Kumar and [[Manoj Mitra]]. [[Nimu Bhowmick]] and Bhishnu Guha Thakurtha play the villains. Anil Chaterji has a role as one of the teacher's wellwishers.
 
''Aadmi Aur Aurat'' is based on a story by Prafulla Roy. [[Amol Palekar]] and Mahua Roy Choudhury act in this piece. Sinha's telefilm ''Aadmi Aur Aurat'' was remade in Bengali as ''Manush'' (starring Samit Bhanja and Devika Mukherjee) by the director himself. Sinha made another telefilm ''Didi'' with [[Deepti Naval]] as the central character.
 
Sinha's ''[[Ek Doctor Ki Maut]]'' was based on "Abhimanyu," a story by Ramapada Choudhury. ''Ek Doctor Ki Maut'' has Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Kapoor, Irfan Khan and Anil Chaterji in the cast. In ''Ek Doctor Ki Maut'' there is a touch reminiscent of [[Ibsen]]. Dipankar Roy invents a vaccine for leprosy, but the entire community turns against him. In this work, Sinha examines the way society responds to the work. Vijeyandra Ghatge, [[Vasant Choudhury]] and [[Deepa Sahi]] have cameos in the film. "Talent is subject to ridicule. The more you excel the more number of enemies you seem to have: Why this animosity towards Excellence?" ''Ek Doctor Ki Maut'' won the Rajat Kamal for the second best feature film of the year, besides earning Sinha the Best Director Award.
 
Sinha's ''Wheelchair'' has a cast of [[Soumitra Chatterjee]], [[Laboni Sarkar]], [[Arjun Chakraborty]] and [[Ruma Guha Thakurta]]. Sarkar gives a performance as a handicapped character who uses a wheelchair. The film was based on a story by the director himself, although it was inspired by the life of a crusading doctor. ''Wheelchair'' is about a young woman who is molested late one evening in jer office. While fighting off the three men, she sustains injuries and is bedridden for a while. She is fortunate enough, however, to receive proper medical care and also emotional support, and in the end, she can look forward to a better life.
 
''[[Adalat o Ekti Meye]]'' (Bengali/1981) features [[Tanuja]], [[Biplab Chatterjee]] and Manoj Mitra. The film departs from Sinha's usual style. Urmila (Tanuja), a young teacher on a holiday, is raped by a gang of wealthy young men. The culprits are arrested, but Urmila is shunned by her friends, fiancé and even parents. She is an outcast like Dr. Roy in ''Ek Doctor Ki Maut''. The difference is that while Urmila is ostracised through no fault of her own, Roy faces social wrath because of his talent.
 
Sinha's ''Antardhaan'' stars Soumitro Chaterji, Madhabi, Manoj Mitra, [[Sabyasachi Chakrabarty|Sabyasachi Chakraborty]], [[Satabdi Roy]], Riku Dutta, Bhisma Guha Thakurtha, Ramen Roy Choudhury, Nirmal Chakravorty, and Arjun Chakravorty. It deals with the disappearance of a girl and her lover and is based on a story by Dibyendu Palit. Sinha feels that some fictionalisation of a real-life incident, or even a newspaper report from which the source of the original story is supposed to be derived, is necessary for cinematic dramatisation. Riku Dutta, a newcomer to films who is regularly seen in television serials, was excited to act in this film of Sinha who, she says, is the mentor of many new artistes.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
 
In the series of films that Sinha made in the last eight years of his life, a trusting and idealistic man, assailed by unfortunate circumstances or hostile and scheming persons, stands out as an example of indomitable individualism. "I have always believed in individual courage and effort. I think, collective system or life hardly allows an individual to discover the infinite strength within him. I like the individual who has the courage to face any untoward situation, which is why I have shown an individual as a relentless fighter against all hazards in ''Aadmi Aur Aurat'', ''Atanka'' and ''Ek Doctor Ki Maut''. My protagonists in these films have practically done miracles by their own strength and self-confidence. In ''Antardhaan'' also, the Professor takes up the job of finding out his missing daughter. He depends only on himself and on none else, says the Director.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
 
''Boiduryo Rahasya'' was a detective film.[[Manoj Mitra]], [[Bhishma Guha Thakurtha]], [[Tapas Paul]], [[Alpana Goswami]], [[Moon Moon Sen]], [[Nirmal Kumar]] and [[Premansu Bose]] with [[Basanta Choudhury]] form the cast. Sinha presented five hit films in succession: ''Kshudita Pasan'', ''Kabuliwallah'', ''Hatey Bazare'', ''Apanjan'' and ''Ekhani''. This created a record that is thus far unsurpassed{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
 
Sinha's 5 part feature film ''Daughter of this Century'' marked a new beginning in Indian Cinema. Starring [[Shabana Azmi]], [[Jaya Bachchan]], [[Nandita Das]], [[Deepa Sahi]], and [[Sulabha Deshpande]] in central roles, the film was produced by Shunya Communications under the tutelage of Sesh Nath Banerjee and Mohan Das. The film was based on stories by noted writers over a span of century that highlighted the negligence and indifference towards the women folk of our country. Starting with a Rabindranath Tagore's "Jibito o Mrito", it also incorporated stories of other notable Bengali writers like Sarat Chandra Chaterji, [[Gour Kishore Ghosh]], Prafulla Sen and Dibyendu Palit. Five actress played the central roles and were supported by the who's who of Tollygunge that included Jeet, [[Debashree Roy]], Arjun Chakraborty, Rita Koyral, Gyanesh Mukherjee, Amit Banerjee, Kaushik Sen, Joy Badlani, Papia Sen and many others. The director wanted to convey the message that in spite of tremendous scientific advancements, attitudes towards women have not changed much in the span of a century.
 
Raja Sen's documentary on Tapan Sinha is entitled ''Filmmaker for Freedom''. Sinha made a detective TV serial ''Hutumer Naksa'', casting Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Dhiman Chakravorty, Robi Ghosh and others.
 
Sinha's wife, filmmaker Arundhuti Devi, died in 1990.
 
''Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha'' is based on a novelette by eminent Bengali writer Shirsendu Mukhopadhay. This film, in Sinha's own words "is a semi-fantasy designed for all, including children." ''Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha'' "is a strange story of a strange village." The message is, it is necessary to have a community drive to get anything done in today's society. "We must not look at the Government for everything," says the Director. "In the west and also in the far east, there is a system of community initiatives. I believe, we should have this same kind of approach too." He adds, "According to this story, a person has to prepare himself to confront any adversary."{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} The cast of ''Aajab Gayer'' includes Debasree Roy starring as a light-hearted village girl. "Debasree has not done such a role before and I found her absolutely suitable for it," said the director.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}} She is the only female character in the film, which also brought a new face, [[Debesh Roy Choudhury]], to the big screen. His role requires him to do a lot of "physical labor, including sprinting." The rest of the cast includes Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Nirmal Kumar, and Bibhas Chakravorty, Koushik Sen. Ten days of shooting were done at Falta, on the banks of the [[Ganges|Ganga]], starting on 7 December 1997. The following month, some shots were taken in a village house.{{Citation needed|date=January 2009}}
 
Sinha's final venture, the children's filme ''Anokha Moti'', was incomplete. The film features Arjun Chakravorty, and is being made in Hindi.
 
==Legacy==
In January 2010, the then railway minister [[Mamata Banerjee]], laid the foundation stone of the Tapan Sinha Memorial Metro Hospital, at [[Tollygunge]], [[Kolkata]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Tension with Suman palpable on dais |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-09/kolkata/28147660_1_mamata-banerjee-tapan-sinha-sagina-mahato |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929020914/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2010-01-09/kolkata/28147660_1_mamata-banerjee-tapan-sinha-sagina-mahato |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 September 2011 |date=9 January 2010 |newspaper=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=18 March 2013}}</ref>


==Awards==
==Awards==
;Civilian award
;Civilian award
* [[Padma Shri]] (1992)<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015}}</ref>
* [[Padma Shri]] (1992)<ref name="Padma Awards">{{cite web | url=http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | title=Padma Awards | publisher=Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India | date=2015 | access-date=21 July 2015 | archive-date=15 October 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151015193758/http://mha.nic.in/sites/upload_files/mha/files/LST-PDAWD-2013.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>


;[[National Film Awards]]
;[[National Film Awards]]
Line 120: Line 78:
* [[19th National Film Awards|1971]]: [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] – ''[[Ekhonee]]''
* [[19th National Film Awards|1971]]: [[National Film Award for Best Screenplay|Best Screenplay]] – ''[[Ekhonee]]''
* [[25th National Film Awards|1977]]: [[National Film Award for Best Children's Film]] - ''[[Safed Haathi]]''  
* [[25th National Film Awards|1977]]: [[National Film Award for Best Children's Film]] - ''[[Safed Haathi]]''  
* [[29th National Film Awards|1981]]: [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali]]- ''[[Adalat o Ekti Meye]]''
* [[32nd National Film Awards|1984]]: [[Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration]] - ''[[Aadmi Aur Aurat]]''
* [[32nd National Film Awards|1984]]: [[Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration]] - ''[[Aadmi Aur Aurat]]''
* [[38th National Film Awards|1990]]: [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] – ''[[Ek Doctor Ki Maut]]''
* [[38th National Film Awards|1990]]: [[National Film Award for Best Direction|Best Direction]] – ''[[Ek Doctor Ki Maut]]''
Line 137: Line 96:
#Award for Best film in 13th [[Asia Pacific Film Festival]] for [[Hatey Bazarey]]
#Award for Best film in 13th [[Asia Pacific Film Festival]] for [[Hatey Bazarey]]
#Silver trophy (Cup of honour) in Phnom Penh Film Festival for [[Hatey Bazarey]]
#Silver trophy (Cup of honour) in Phnom Penh Film Festival for [[Hatey Bazarey]]
#Afro-Asian Award, Moscow Film Festival for [[Sagina Mahato]]
#Afro-Asian Award, [[Moscow International Film Festival]] for [[Sagina Mahato]]
#Golden Crown for Best Music, [[Seoul Asian Film Festival]] for [[Harmonium]]
#Golden Crown for Best Music, [[Seoul Asian Film Festival]] for [[Harmonium]]
#Special Award 'Child of our Time', [[Vii Film Festival]], Milano for [[Safed Haathi]]
#Special Award 'Child of our Time', [[Vii Film Festival]], Milano for [[Safed Haathi]]
#UNICEF Award(Honorable Mention), Berlin Film festival for [[Aaj Ka Robin Hood]]
#UNICEF Award(Honorable Mention), [[Berlin International Film Festival]] for [[Aaj Ka Robin Hood]]
 
== Filmography ==
=== Films ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Note
! {{Refh}}
|-
| 1954
| ''Ankush''
|
|
|-
| 1955
| ''[[Upahar]]''
|
|
|-
| 1956
| ''Tonsil''
|
|
|-
| 1957
| [[Kabuliwala (1957 film)|''Kabuliwala'']]
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1958
| ''Lauhakapat''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kala Mati]]''
|
|
|-
| 1959
| ''Kshaniker Atithi''
|
|
|-
| 1960
| ''[[Kshudhita Pashan]]''
|
|
|-
|1961
| ''[[Jhinder Bandi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1962
| [[Hansuli Banker Upakatha (film)|''Hansuli Banker Upakatha'']]
|
|
|-
| ''Aamar Desh''
| Documentary
|
|-
| 1963
| ''[[Nirjan Saikate]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1964
| ''[[Jatugriha]]''
|
|
|-
| ''Arohi''
|
|
|-
| 1965
| [[Atithi (1965 film)|''Atithi'']]
|
|
|-
| 1966
| ''[[Galpo Holeo Satti]]''
|
|
|-
| 1967
| ''[[Hatey Bazarey]]''
|
|
|-
| 1968
| ''[[Apanjan]]''
|
|
|-
| 1970
| ''[[Sagina Mahato]]''
|
|
|-
| 1971
| ''[[Ekhoni]]''
|
|
|-
| 1972
| ''[[Zindagi Zindagi]]''
|
|
|-
| 1973
| ''Aandhar Periye''
|
|
|-
| 1974
| [[Sagina (film)|''Sagina'']]
|
|
|-
| 1975
| ''Raja''
|
|
|-
| 1976
| ''Harmonium''
|
|
|-
| 1977
| ''Ek Je Chhilo Desh''
|
|
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Safed Haathi]]''
|
|
|-
| 1979
| ''[[Sabuj Dwiper Raja]]''
|
|
|-
| 1980
| ''[[Banchharamer Bagan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1982
| ''[[Adalat o Ekti Meye]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Aadmi Aur Aurat]]''
|
|
|-
| 1983
| ''Manush''
|
|
|-
| 1984
| ''Didi''
|
|
|-
| 1985
| ''[[Baidurya Rahasya]]''
|
|
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Atanka]]''
|
|
|-
| 1987
| ''[[Aaj Ka Robin Hood]]''
|
|
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Ek Doctor Ki Maut]]''
|
|
|-
| 1992
| ''[[Antardhan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1994
| ''Wheel Chair''
|
|
|-
|''Ajana Shatru''
|Documentary
|
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Daughters of This Century]]''
|
|
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha]]''
|
|
|-
|2000
| ''Anokha Moti''
|
|
|}
 
=== TV series ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Cast
|-
|1998
| ''Hutumer Naksha''
|
|}


==Filmography==
==See also==
* [[Ankush (film)|Ankush]] (1954)
* [[Raja Sen]]
* [[Upahaar]] (1955)
* [[Aparna Sen]]
* [[Tonsil (film)|Tonsil]] (1956)
* [[Tarun Majumdar]]
* [[Kabuliwala (1957 film)|Kabuliwala]] (1957)
* [[Birsa Dasgupta]]
* [[Lauha Kapat]] (1958)
* [[Suman Ghosh (director)|Suman Ghosh]]
* [[Kala Mati]] (1958)
* [[Khaniker Atithi]] (1959)
* [[Khudhito Pashan]] (1960)
* [[Jhinder Bandi]] (1961)
* [[Hansuli Banker Upakatha (film)|Hansuli Banker Upakatha]] (1962)
* [[Nirjan Saikate]] (1963)
* [[Jatugriha]] (1964)
* [[Arohi]] (1964)
* [[Atithi (1965 film)|Atithi]] (1965)
* [[Galpo Holeo Satti]] (1966)
* [[Hatey Bazarey]] (1967)
* [[Apanjan]] (1968)
* [[Sagina Mahato]] (1970)
* [[Ekhoni]] (1971)
* [[Zindagi Zindagi]] (1972)
* [[Aandhar Periye]] (1973)
* [[Sagina (film)|Sagina]] (1974, Hindi)
* [[Raja (1975 film)|Raja]] (1975)
* [[Harmonium (film)|Harmonium]] (1976)
* [[Ek Je Chhilo Desh]] (1977)
* [[Safed Haathi]] (1978)
* [[Sabuj Dwiper Raja]] (1979)
* [[Banchharamer Bagan]] (1980)
* [[Adalat o Ekti Meye]] (1982)
* [[Aadmi Aur Aurat]] (1982)
* [[Manush (film)|Manush]] (1983)
* [[Didi (film)|Didi]] (1984)
* [[Baidurya Rahasya]] (1985)
* [[Atanka]] (1986)
* [[Aaj Ka Robin Hood]] (1988)
* [[Ek Doctor Ki Maut]] (1991)
* [[Antardhan]] (1992)
* [[Wheel Chair (film)|Wheel Chair]] (1994)
* [[Daughters of This Century]] (1999)
* [[Hutumer Naksha]]
* [[Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha]] (1998)
* [[Anokha Moti]] (2000)


==References==
==References==
Line 192: Line 346:
* {{IMDb name|id=0802377|name=Tapan Sinha}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0802377|name=Tapan Sinha}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828050317/http://dearcinema.com/tapan-sinha-the-dada-saheb-phalke-award/  Tapan Sinha: Saluting The Indomitable Human Spirit]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080828050317/http://dearcinema.com/tapan-sinha-the-dada-saheb-phalke-award/  Tapan Sinha: Saluting The Indomitable Human Spirit]
* [http://www.boloji.com/cinema/tapansinha.htm The Films of Tapan Sinha]
* [http://www.boloji.com/cinema/tapansinha.htm The Films of Tapan Sinha] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101018063712/http://boloji.com/cinema/tapansinha.htm |date=18 October 2010 }}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070626130334/http://www.calcuttaweb.com/cinema/tapansinha.shtml Tapan Sinha at calcuttaweb.com]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070626130334/http://www.calcuttaweb.com/cinema/tapansinha.shtml Tapan Sinha at calcuttaweb.com]


Line 214: Line 368:
[[Category:Deaths from bronchopneumonia]]
[[Category:Deaths from bronchopneumonia]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:Hindi-language film directors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian film directors]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in India]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in India]]
[[Category:Film directors from Kolkata]]
[[Category:Film directors from Kolkata]]
Line 231: Line 384:
[[Category:People from New Alipore]]
[[Category:People from New Alipore]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian screenwriters]]
[[Category:Deaths from sepsis]]
[[Category:Deaths from sepsis in India]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male writers]]

Latest revision as of 02:55, 22 December 2025


For the Indian Navy vice admiral, see Tapan Sinha (admiral).

Tapan Sinha
Sinha on a 2013 stamp of India
Born(1924-10-02)2 October 1924
Murshidabad, Bengal Presidency, British India
(present-day Murshidabad, West Bengal, India)
Died15 January 2009(2009-01-15) (aged 84)
Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Alma materUniversity of Patna (B.Sc.)

Rajabazar Science College (M.Sc.)

University of Calcutta
Years active1946–2001
Spouse(s)Arundhati Devi
ChildrenAnindya Sinha
AwardsDadasaheb Phalke Award (2006)
Signature
File:Tapan Sinha Signature.jpg

Tapan Sinha (2 October 1924 – 15 January 2009)[1] was one of the most prominent Indian film directors of his time forming a legendary quartet with Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak and Mrinal Sen. He was primarily a Bengali filmmaker who worked both in Hindi cinema and Bengali cinema, directing films like Kabuliwala (1957), Louha-Kapat, Sagina Mahato (1970), Apanjan (1968), Kshudhita Pashan and children's film Safed Haathi (1978) and Aaj Ka Robinhood. Sinha started his career in 1946, as a sound engineer with New Theatres film production house in Kolkata, then in 1950 left for England where he worked at Pinewood Studios for next two years,[2] before returning home to start his six decade long career in Indian cinema, making films in Bengali, Hindi and Oriya languages, straddling genres from social realism, family drama, labor rights, to children's fantasy films. He was one of the acclaimed filmmakers of Parallel Cinema movement of India.[3][4][5]

Personal life and background[edit | edit source]

Sinha was born in Murshidabad, West Bengal. His empathy for films began from his student life. He was admitted in the Durgacharan M. E. School of Bhagalpur in the fifth standard. Later it went on to become a secondary school. His Principal was Surendranath Gangopadhyay who happened to be Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's maternal uncle.[6] He studied physics at the University of Patna and later earned an M.Sc. at the Rajabazar Science College, University of Calcutta.[7]

He married Indian actress Arundhati Devi. Their son is Indian scientist professor, Anindya Sinha.

On 15 January 2009, he died of pneumonia and septicaemia.[8]

Career[edit | edit source]

Charles Dickens's novel, A Tale of Two Cities and the cinematic adaptation featuring Ronald Colman inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Tapan Sinha went to London in the 1950s to learn film-making. On reaching London, he contacted CryHearsth, Manager of Pinewood Studios. Through his help, he managed to obtain his first assignment. He got to work in director Charles Crichton's unit as a sound engineer. Cryton, who made some British comedies like The Lavender Hill Mob etc. was then working for a film called The Hunted. Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.

Tapan Sinha was greatly influenced by contemporary American and British Cinema, in his youth. Among his favourite directors were John Ford, Carol Reed, and Billy Wilder. He used to think that he had to make films on the lines of his favourites. Rabindranath Tagore's work had been a great source of inspiration to him as well. Different Tagore works had special significance to him in various moments of his life.[9]

Sinha's first film, Ankush, is based on the Narayan Ganguly's story Sainik, which had an elephant as the central character.[10] Sinha's Ek Je Chilo Desh is a fantasy film, based on a story by Shankar. He made a few documentaries, including a biographical film on scientist Jagadish Bose. He also used Rabindrasangeet in other films. Sinha's Sagina Mahato might be categorized as a political film, although it was reactionary in nature and was a direct attack on left-wing politics. It tried to disrepute organized struggle by championing the individual heroism of a worker. The Hindi version of the film, named "Sagina", also stars Dilp Kumar as the central character. The film was entered into the 7th Moscow International Film Festival.[11]

His Daughters of This Century Starring Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit, Nandita Das, Deepa Sahi, and Sulabha Deshpande in central roles, marked a new beginning in Indian Cinema.

Raja Sen's documentary on Tapan Sinha is entitled Filmmaker for Freedom.

Sinha's wife, filmmaker and actress Arundhuti Devi, died in 1990.

Sinha's final venture, the children's filme Anokha Moti, was incomplete. The film stars Arjun Chakravorty, and is being made in Hindi.[12]

Sinha composed the music for many of his films. At the end of his career, he composed the music for the Bengali film Tara, directed by Bratya Basu, which was released after his death.

Death[edit | edit source]

On 15 January 2009, he died of pneumonia and septicaemia.[8]

Legacy[edit | edit source]

In January 2010, the then railway minister Mamata Banerjee, laid the foundation stone of the Tapan Sinha Memorial Metro Hospital, at Tollygunge, Kolkata.[13] Tapan's works left an impact and influence on Bollywood filmmakers like Hemen Gupta, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar,[14] Ashutosh Gowariker[15][16] and Bengali filmmakers like Raja Sen, Kamaleshwar Mukherjee.[17] His work highly influence and impact and popular culture by Bengali filmmaker Tarun Majumdar and Nowadays, Suman Ghosh (director). While in London, he was exposed to the works of Italian directors Federico Fellini, Vittorio De Sica and Roberto Rossellini. Tapan Sinha has also served as a member of the jury in the popular film festivals at Tashkent and San Francisco among others.[18] Tapan Sinha has been selected for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for the year 2006 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.

Television career[edit | edit source]

Aadmi Aur Aurat is based on a story by Prafulla Roy. Amol Palekar and Mahua Roy Choudhury acted in this telefilm. Aadmi Aur Aurat was remade in Bengali as Manush (starring Samit Bhanja and Devika Mukherjee) by the director himself.[19] Sinha made another telefilm Didi with Deepti Naval as the central character.[20][21] Sinha made a detective TV serial Hutumer Naksa.

Awards[edit | edit source]

Civilian award
National Film Awards
International Awards
  1. Best Film-Cork festival, Ireland for Khudhita Pashan
  2. Silver Bear Extraordinary Prize of the Jury at 7th Berlin International Film Festival for Kabuliwala
  3. Jury Award-Sanfransisco Film Festival for Hansuli Banker Upokotha
  4. Silver Peacock-2nd best film, International Film Festival of India & Audience Award, Sydney Film Festival for Nirjan Saikate
  5. International Certificate of Merit, Venice Film Festival for Atithi
  6. Diploma of Merit, London Film Festival for Aarohi
  7. Silver Leopard, Locarno Film Festival for Aarohi
  8. Award for Best Film-Royal Cup, Cambodia Asian Film festival for Hatey Bazarey
  9. Award for Best film in 13th Asia Pacific Film Festival for Hatey Bazarey
  10. Silver trophy (Cup of honour) in Phnom Penh Film Festival for Hatey Bazarey
  11. Afro-Asian Award, Moscow International Film Festival for Sagina Mahato
  12. Golden Crown for Best Music, Seoul Asian Film Festival for Harmonium
  13. Special Award 'Child of our Time', Vii Film Festival, Milano for Safed Haathi
  14. UNICEF Award(Honorable Mention), Berlin International Film Festival for Aaj Ka Robin Hood

Filmography[edit | edit source]

Films[edit | edit source]

Year Title Note Ref.
1954 Ankush
1955 Upahar
1956 Tonsil
1957 Kabuliwala
1958 Lauhakapat
Kala Mati
1959 Kshaniker Atithi
1960 Kshudhita Pashan
1961 Jhinder Bandi
1962 Hansuli Banker Upakatha
Aamar Desh Documentary
1963 Nirjan Saikate
1964 Jatugriha
Arohi
1965 Atithi
1966 Galpo Holeo Satti
1967 Hatey Bazarey
1968 Apanjan
1970 Sagina Mahato
1971 Ekhoni
1972 Zindagi Zindagi
1973 Aandhar Periye
1974 Sagina
1975 Raja
1976 Harmonium
1977 Ek Je Chhilo Desh
1978 Safed Haathi
1979 Sabuj Dwiper Raja
1980 Banchharamer Bagan
1982 Adalat o Ekti Meye
Aadmi Aur Aurat
1983 Manush
1984 Didi
1985 Baidurya Rahasya
1986 Atanka
1987 Aaj Ka Robin Hood
1991 Ek Doctor Ki Maut
1992 Antardhan
1994 Wheel Chair
Ajana Shatru Documentary
1995 Daughters of This Century
1998 Ajab Gayer Ajab Katha
2000 Anokha Moti

TV series[edit | edit source]

Year Title Cast
1998 Hutumer Naksha

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "Award-winning Indian film-maker influenced by Capra and Wilder". The Guardian. 12 May 2009.
  2. ↑ "Tapan Sinha's first film 'Ankush' was based on which story?". www.gktoday.in. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  3. ↑ Gokulsing, K. Moti; Dissanayake, Wimal (2004). Indian Popular Cinema: A Narrative of Cultural Change (New rev. ed.). Stoke-on-Trent, UK: Trentham Books. p. 17. ISBN 978-1-85856-329-9.
  4. ↑ Sharpe, Jenny (2005). "Gender, Nation, and Globalization in Monsoon Wedding and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge". Meridians: Feminism, Race, Transnationalism. 6 (1): 58–81 [60 & 75]. doi:10.1353/mer.2005.0032. S2CID 143666869.
  5. ↑ Gooptu, Sharmistha (July 2002). "Reviewed work(s): The Cinemas of India (1896–2000) by Yves Thoraval". Economic and Political Weekly. 37 (29): 3023–4.
  6. ↑ "Never Have I Made the Same Kind of Film: An Interview With Tapan Sinha (Part-I) – Learning and Creativity". Learning and Creativity. 2 October 2014. Retrieved 3 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Ankush (1954)". Indiancine.ma. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Top Indian filmmaker Sinha dies". BBC News.
  9. ↑ "Saluting Indomitable Human Spirit: Tribute to Tapan Sinha". Learning and Creativity. 29 August 2013. Retrieved 3 February 2014.
  10. ↑ "Master-prints of Tapan Sinha's classics go missing". The Indian Express. 9 April 2010. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  11. ↑ "7th Moscow International Film Festival (1971)". MIFF. Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 23 December 2012.
  12. ↑ "Sinha's never-seen-before stories, script thrill cinephiles". The Times of India. 2 November 2023. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  13. ↑ "Tension with Suman palpable on dais". The Times of India. 9 January 2010. Archived from the original on 29 September 2011. Retrieved 18 March 2013.
  14. ↑ "Remakes of Bengali films: What's new in this trend? - Times of India". The Times of India. 27 November 2019.
  15. ↑ Narayan, Hari (15 August 2016). "The family as a microcosm of the nation". The Hindu.
  16. ↑ Mathur, Arti (30 December 2001). "Sony closes Hindi film distrib biz". Variety. Retrieved 18 March 2022.
  17. ↑ "Film Director Raja Sen Speaks About His New Movie (Interview)". VOA News. 29 October 2007.[dead link]
  18. ↑ চিরতরুণ. Ei Samay (in Bengali). Archived from the original on 4 July 2022. Retrieved 3 January 2021.
  19. ↑ Nag, Amitava (8 November 2023). "Revisiting Bengali master Tapan Sinha's undervalued Hindi movies". Scroll.in. Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  20. ↑ "Eight segments to showcase Indian Films at IFFI - 07" (Press release). Press Information Bureau. 15 November 2007. Archived from the original on 1 March 2012.
  21. ↑ "A number of golden oldies at IFFI for movie buffs". The Navhind Times. 21 November 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2007.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  22. ↑ "Padma Awards" (PDF). Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 October 2015. Retrieved 21 July 2015.
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "4th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  24. ↑ "5th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Retrieved 2 September 2011.
  25. ↑ "8th National Film Awards". International Film Festival of India. Archived from the original on 12 October 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2011.

External links[edit | edit source]

Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Tapan_Sinha&oldid=547755"
Discover more