Anjana Bhowmick

Anjana Bhowmik (30 December 1944 – 17 February 2024) was an Indian actress of Bengali cinema from the 1960s until the 1980s.

Personal life Bhowmik was born in Cooch Behar on 30 December 1944. Her real name was Arati Bhowmik and nickname Babli. Her father was Bibhuti Bhusan Bhowmik. She spent her school days in Cooch Behar. Bhowmik passed the Higher Secondary Exam of the West Bengal Board from Suniti Academy of Cooch Behar in 1961. After that she studied in Sarojini Naidu College for Women, under the University of Calcutta. Anjana married Navy Officer Anil Sharma and settled in Mumbai. Her daughters are Nilanjana Sharma and Chandana Sharma, who are also actresses. The older one, Nilanjana Sharma is married to Bengali Actor Jisshu Sengupta.

Bhowmick died on 17 February 2024, at the age of 79.

Career Bhowmick made her film debut at the age of 20 in the 1964 film Anustup Chanda directed by Pijush Bose. Before releasing the film she changed her name to Anjana from Arati. She became popular with the release of her first film. Her acting talent was praised by both audiences and critics. She became one of the major heroines of Uttam Kumar. She and Uttam Kumar gave major hits like Chowringhee, "Kokhono Megh", "Nayika Sangbad", "Roudra Chhaya", "Raj Drohi". At a certain time of her career when critics predicted she wouldn't be successful without Uttam Kumar as hero, she paired with Soumitra Chattopadhyay in the highly acclaimed "Mahashweta".

Filmography Year Title Role 1964 Anustup Chhanda 1965 Thana Theke Aschi Sheela (Chandra Madhab's Daughter) 1966 Griha Sandhane Rajodrohi Chinta 1967 Mahashweta Nayika Sangbad Urmila/Gita 1968 Chowringhee (film) Sujata Mitra Kokhono Megh Seema Roy (Art Teacher) 1969 Shuk Sari 1970 Dibratrir Kabya 1971 Pratham Basanta 1973 Roudra Chhaya 1979 Bhagyalipi 1981 Shukhe Thako 1987 Nishibasar