Bhanu Bandopadhyay

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Bhanu Bandyopadhyay
File:Bhanub.jpg
Bhanu Bandyopadhyay
Born
Samyamoy Bandyopadhyay

(1920-08-26)26 August 1920
Died4 March 1983(1983-03-04) (aged 62)
NationalityIndian
OccupationActor, Voice actor, comedian, singer,
Years active1945–1983
Spouse(s)
Nilima Mukhopadhyay
(
m. 1946; his death 1983)
Children3

Bhanu Bandyopadhyay also known as Bhanu Banerjee (born as Samyamoy Bandyopadhyay; 26 August 1920[1] – 4 March 1983) was an Indian actor, known for his work in Bengali cinema. He acted in over 300 movies, in numerous plays and performed frequently on the radio.

Early life[edit]

Bhanu Bandyopadhyay was born on 26 August 1920 at Dhaka town, Bengal in a Kulin Brahmin family. His ancestral home was at a village called Panchgaon inBikrampur, Dhaka Division, present day Bangladesh. Bhanu Banerjee was related to Sabitri Chattopadhyay through his maternal side. Aghorenath Chatterjee was his maternal grandfather's cousin. He studied at Kazi Pagla A. T. Institute, Lohajong, Pogose School and St. Gregory's High School in Dhaka followed by Jagannath College for his B.A. He then moved to Calcutta in the 1950s. In his initial years Bandyopadhyay worked at the Iron & Steel Control Board.

Political activity[edit]

He was associated with the freedom fighter group Anushilan Samity in the Dhaka Dist. He was kept under house arrest for 30 days when he was a teenager as the police suspected him to be involved in seditious activities. After the Quit India movement he joined with the Revolutionary Socialist Party. Later founded the Kranti Shilpi Sangha with writer (later film maker) Salil Sen, staging the latter’s landmark play Natun Yahudi (1951, filmed 1953) about East Bengal refugees for fund-raising on their behalf in Calcutta.[2] [3]

Career[edit]

Bandyopadhyay started his acting career as a stand-up comedian in Dhaka. He performed at office parties and then moved on to larger venues. In 1943, he released his first major comic gramophone record Dhakar Gadoane. Its success prompted him to release a new record every year during Durga Puja.[4] He made his big screen debut with Debi Mukherjee and Sumitra Devi starrer Bengali film Abhijog (1947).[5] Bandyopadhyay's breakthrough film role was in Nirmal Dey's Basu Parivar (1952) where he played a Bangal businessman. The next year his role as Kedar in Sharey Chuattor made him rise to fame. His quote in the film Mashima, malpoa khamu. (Aunty, I want to eat malpoa) became a popular catchphrase.[4] He went on to act in over 300 movies like Bhrantibilash and Pasher Bari. In most of his films he played comedic roles in which he exaggerated Bengali accents and mannerisms for comic effect.[6] He teamed up with his best friend comedian Jahor Roy for many films like Bhanu Pelo Lottery and the humorous detective story Bhanu Goenda Johar Assistant.[7] Typically, in the pair's films Bandyopadhyay would take the role of the Bangal and Roy would be the comical Ghoti character (although in real life, both were Bangals).[8] Although chiefly known as a comedian, Bandyopadhyay played serious roles in the film Galpo Holeo Satti , Alor Pipasa , Amrita Kumbher Sandhane ; Nirdharito shilpir onuposthitite , and even negative roles in Baghini (1968 film) and Bijayinee movie. He played the lead roles in Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Mriter morte Agomon, Sworgo mortyo,Personal Assistant, Miss Priyambada and Ashite Ashiona. Later in his career Bandyopadhyay founded his own Jatra group called Mukto Mancha. He produced, directed and acted in his own productions, traveling around the country with the troupe.

Personal life[edit]

Bandyopadhyay was married to Nilima Mukhopadhyay, a playback singer. They had three children – Basabi Ghatak (née Bandyopadhyay), Gautam and Pinaki.[7][9] Earlier the family stayed in Jubilee Park, Tollygunge. Later shifted to 42A, Charu Avenue, Rabindra Sarobar in 1960.[10]

Death and legacy[edit]

Bandyopadhyay died of a heart-related illness on 4 March 1983. On 26 August 2011 his film Nirdharito Shilpir Onupasthitite (1959) was released on DVD. His son, Gautam Bandyopadhyay, has confirmed the release which coincided with his father's 91st birth anniversary.

Works[edit]

Filmography[edit]

Year Films
1947 Jagaran, Abhijog
1948 Sharbohara
1949 Mantramugdha, Ja Hoi Na
1950 Krishan, Tothapi, Digbhranta, Dwairath, Mandando
1951 Barjatri, Palatak, Rupantar, Shetu
1952 Aladin O Ascharya Pradip, Kapalkundala, Jabanbondi, Basu Paribar, Darpachurna, Patri Chai, Pasher Bari, Prarthana, Bindur Chhele, Mahishashur Badh, Ratrir Tapashya
1953 Sharey Chuattor, Adrishya Manush, Kajori, Keranir Jiban, Natun Ihudi, Pathnirdesh, Banhangshi, Bastab, Bouthakuranir Hut, Boudir Bon, Maharaja Nandakumar, Rakhi, Rami Chandidash, Lakh Taka, Shashurbari, Sat Number Kayedi, Harilakhhi
1954 Atom Bomb, Ora Thake Odhare, Kalyani, Grihaprabesh, Chhele Kar, Jaidev, Jagrihi, Dukhhir Iman, Nil Shari, Boloygrash, Barbella, Bikram Urbashi, Bhangagara, Mani ar Manik, Maner Mayur, Moroner Pore, Ladies Seat, Satir Dehatyag, Sadanander Mela
1955 Ardhangini, Bandish (Hindi), Aparadhi, Atmadarshan, Chattujjay Barujjay, Chhoto Bou, Joi Ma Kali Boarding, Jyotishi, Dashyu Mohan, Durlav Janam, Devi malini, Nishidhha Fall, Bir Hambir, Bratacharini, Bhalobasha, Rani Rasmani (film), Sajghor, Sanjher Pradip
1956 Asomapta, Amar Bou, Ekti Rat, Gobindadas, Tonsil, Taka Ana Pai, Daner Marjada, Mahanisha, Bhadurymoshai, Mamlar Fall, Lakhhahira, Shuvoratri, Shabdhan, Shaheb Bibi Gholam, Suryamukhi
1957 Andhare Alo, Ektara, Ek Gaon Ki Kahani (Hindi), Ogo Shunchho, Kanchamithe, Khela Bhangar Khela, Ghum, Jibantrishna, Natun Prabhat, Nilachaley Mahaprabhu, Bashantabahar, Baroma, Madhumalati, Shesh Parichoy, Srimatir Shangshar
1958 Kalamati, Jonakir Alo, Daktarbabu, Nupur, Bhanu Pelo Lottery, Manmoyee Girls School, Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Louhakapat, Suryatoron, Shargo marto
1959 Nirdharito Shilpir Anupasthite, Personal Assistant, Pushpadhanu, Mriter martye Agaman, Sonar Horin
1960 Shaharer Itikatha, Shesh Parjanto, Shokher Chor, Surer Piyashi, Hospital
1961 Kanchanmulya, Kathin Maya, Kanamachhi, Bishkanya, Roybahadur, Mr and Mrs Chowdhury, Shayombara
1962 Agnishikha, Atal Jaler Ahwan, Abhisharika, Dadathakur, Badhu, Mayar Shangshar
1963 Akash Pradip, Chhayasurya, Dui Nari, Dui Bari, Barnochora, Bhrantibilash, Preyashi, Satbhai, High Heel, Hashi Shudhu hashi Noi
1964 Jiban kahini, Dip Neve Nai, Bingshati Janani
1965 Abhoya O Srikanta, Alor Pipasha, Etotuku Basha, Gulmohor, Tapashi, Debotar Deep, Dolna, Mahalogno, Pati Shangshodhini Shamity, Mukhujjay Paribar, Rajkanya
1966 Kal Tumi Aleya, Galpo Holeo Satti, Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar, Mayabini Lane, Shesh Tin Din
1967 Ashite Ashiona, Anthony Phiringee, Kheya, Nayika Shangbad, Prastar Shakhhor, Miss Priyangbada, Hathat Dekha, Hate Bajare
1968 Apanjon, Garh Nashimpur, Chowrangee, Pathe Holo Dekha, Baghini
1969 Dadu, Ma O Meye, Shukshari, Shabarmati
1970 Aleyar Alo, Pratham Kadam Phul, Rajkumari, Sagina Mahato
1971 Ekhane Pinjar, Pratham Bashanta, Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant, Malyadan
1972 Stree
1973 Nakal Shona, Nishikanya, Bindur Chhele, Roudrachhaya
1974 Sagina, Prantorekha, Shangini
1975 Kabi, Nishimrigaya, Priyo Bandhabi, Sangshar Shimante, Shayongswhidhha
1976 Nandita, Shikarokti, Harmonium
1977 Ashadharon, Ek Je Chhilo Desh, Chhotto Nayak, Ramer Shumati
1978 Bandi
1979 Devdas
1980 Dorpochurna, Priyatoma, Bhagyachakra, Matribhokto Ramprashad, Shondhi
1981 Kopalkundala, Shubarnolata, Pratishodh
1982 Preyoshi, Bijoyinee
1983 Shahar Theke Dure, Shargadapi Gariyashi "rajbadhu"
1984 Shorgol

Records (Comedy audio clips)[edit]

  • Dhakar Garoan (1943)
  • Cinema Bibhrat with Sabitri Chatterjee
  • Babhharambhe Loghukria with Sabitri Chatterjee
  • Shwami Chai
  • Lady Typist
  • Pujor Bajar
  • Bibaha Bima
  • Chandragupta
  • Sputnik
  • Sangeet Chayan
  • Fatiklal
  • Election with Chinmoy Roy
  • Kartababur Deshbhraman
  • Hanumaner Nagar Darshan
  • Lord Bhanu
  • Bhanu Elo Kolkataye
  • Telephone Bibhrat
  • Karta Banam Ginni
  • Paribar parikalpana
  • Naba Ramayan
  • Amon Din O Ashbe
  • Bhanushharananda
  • Rajjotak with Gita Dey
  • Juger Abhijog
  • Ghatak Shangbad
  • Chatujjay Barujjay
  • Sarbojonin Jom Pujo
  • Nayikar Shandhane

References[edit]

  1. "জন্মশতবার্ষিকীতেও 'ভানু একাই একশো'". anandabazar.com (in Bengali). Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  2. "Bhanu Bannerjee (Cast) – Show Filmography".
  3. "'Spy' Tagore was being watched". 23 February 2008.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Gooptu, Sharmistha (2010). Bengali Cinema: An Other Nation. Taylor & Francis. pp. 128–38. ISBN 978-0-415-57006-0.
  5. Bandopadhyay, Bhanu (1 May 2019). Bhanu Samagra (in Bengali). PATRA BHARATI. ISBN 9788183744751.
  6. Sarkar, Bhaskur (2009). Mourning the nation: Indian cinema in the wake of Partition. Duke University Press. pp. 159–60. ISBN 978-0-8223-4411-7.
  7. 7.0 7.1 Priyanka Dasgupta (17 December 2010). "Baba thought no one would cry..." The Times of India. Archived from the original on 23 March 2012. Retrieved 10 March 2011.
  8. Chakrabarty, Dipesh (2002). Habitations of modernity: essays in the wake of subaltern studies. University of Chicago Press. p. 140. ISBN 0-226-10039-1.
  9. Priyanka Dasgupta. "Bhanu Bandyopadhyay". Times of India. Retrieved 10 March 2011. [failed verification]
  10. Gautam Bandyopadhyay. "Some unknown facts about Bhanu Bandyopadhyay". Anandabazar. Anandabazar. Retrieved 8 April 2017.

External links[edit]

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