Bhanu Bandopadhyay

Bhanu Banerjee, also known as Bhanu Bandyopadhyay (born as Samyamoy Banerjee; 26 August 1920 – 4 March 1983), was an Indian Independence activist, 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 Bhanu Banerjee was born on 26 August 1920 at Dhaka, Bengal in a Kulin Brahmin family. His ancestral home was at a village called Panchgaon in Bikrampur, Dhaka Division, present day Bangladesh. Bhanu Banerjee was related to Sabitri Chatterjee through his maternal side. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay was his maternal grandfather's cousin. He studied at Kazir 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 1941. In his initial years, Bandyopadhyay worked at the Iron & Steel Control Board.

Political activity

He was associated with the freedom fighter group Anushilan Samity in the Dhaka District. As a teenager, he was kept under house arrest for 30 days because the police suspected him of involvement in seditious activities. Following the Quit India movement, he joined the Revolutionary Socialist Party. He later founded the Kranti Shilpi Sangha with writer and filmmaker Salil Sen, staging Sen's landmark play Natun Yahudi (1951, filmed 1953) to raise funds for East Bengal refugees in Calcutta.

Career 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. He made his big screen debut with Devi Mukherjee and Sumitra Devi starrer Bengali film Abhijog (1947). 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 Chuattar made him rise to fame. His line in the film, "Mashima, malpoa khamu" (Aunty, I want to eat malpoa), became a highly popular catchphrase. He teamed up with his best friend comedian Jahor Roy for many films like Bhanu Pelo Lottery and the humorous detective story Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant. Although chiefly known as a comedian, Bandyopadhyay has played serious roles films like Galpo Holeo Satti, Alor Pipasa, Amrita Kumbher Sandhane; Nirdharito Shilpir Onuposthitite, and even negative roles in Baghini and Bijayinee. He played the lead role in many films including Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Mriter Martye Agaman, 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 Banerjee was married to Nilima Mukherjee, a playback singer. They had three children – Basabi Ghatak (née Banerjee), Gautam and Pinaki. Earlier the family stayed in Jubilee Park, Tollygunge. They later shifted to 42A, Charu Avenue, Rabindra Sarobar in 1960.

Death and legacy

Banerjee 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 Banerjee, has confirmed the release which coincided with his father's 91st birth anniversary.

Works

Filmography Year Title Role Notes 1928 Nishiddha Phal 1930 Kal Parinaya 1931 Aparadhi 1931 Dena Paona Nirmal 1931 Chasher Meye 1932 Sandigdha 1937 Didi Mr. Banerjee 1938 Abhigyan Suresh 1938 Street Singer 1939 Rajat Jayanti Samirkanti 1939 Rikta Sadhan 1939 Bardidi Manorama's husband 1939 Parajay Dilip 1940 Nartaki Satyasundar 1943 Jogajog Doctor 1945 Bhabhi Kaal 1947 Jagaran 1947 Abhijog 1948 Sharbohara 1949 Bandhur Path 1949 Mantramugdha 1949 Ja Hoi Na 1950 Mandando 1950 Tothapi 1950 Sahodar 1950 Digbhranta 1950 Krishan 1950 Dwairath 1951 Barjatri 1951 Niyoti 1951 Rupantar 1951 Shetu 1952 Pasher Bari Shyam Sundar Babu 1952 Basu Paribar 1952 Mahishashur Badh 1952 Aladin O Ascharya Pradip 1952 Kapalkundala (1952 film) 1952 Jabanbondi 1952 Darpachurna 1952 Patri Chai 1952 Prarthana 1952 Ratrir Tapashya 1953 Sharey Chuattor Kedar 1953 Rami Chandidash 1953 Lakh Taka 1953 Bana Hansi 1953 Sat Number Kayedi 1953 Natun Ihudi 1953 Shashurbari 1953 Keranir Jiban 1953 Adrishya Manush 1953 Pathnirdesh 1953 Banhangshi 1953 Bastab 1953 Bouthakuranir Hut 1953 Boudir Bon 1953 Maharaja Nandakumar 1953 Rakhi 1953 Harilakhhi 1954 Atom Bomb 1954 Nil Shari 1954 Grihaprabesh 1954 Mantra Shakti 1954 Maner Mayur 1954 Ora Thake Odhare 1954 Sadanander Mela 1954 Chhele Kar Monty 1954 Jaidev Guard 1954 Bhangagara Nilamoni (Pratibha's nephew in law) 1954 Dukhhir Iman 1954 Boloygrash 1954 Satir Dehatyag 1954 Kalyani 1954 Jagrihi 1954 Barbella 1954 Bikram Urbashi 1954 Mani ar Manik 1954 Moroner Pore 1954 Ladies Seat 1955 Sanjher Pradip 1955 Rani Rasmani 1955 Joi Ma Kali Boarding 1955 Bandish Hindi 1955 Nishidhha Fall 1955 Shreebatsa Chinta 1955 Sajghor 1955 Aparadhi 1955 Ardhangini 1955 Atmadarshan 1955 Chattujjay Barujjay 1955 Chhoto Bou 1955 Jyotishi 1955 Dashyu Mohan 1955 Durlav Janam 1955 Devi malini 1955 Bir Hambir 1955 Bratacharini 1955 Bhalobasha 1956 Tonsil 1956 Ekti Raat Chhakubabu 1956 Asomapta 1956 Amar Bou 1956 Shaheb Bibi Gholam 1956 Daner Marjada Boy 1956 Shuvoratri 1956 Suryamukhi 1956 Gobindadas 1956 Taka Ana Pai 1956 Mahanisha 1956 Bhadurymoshai 1956 Mamlar Fall 1956 Lakhhahira 1956 Shabdhan 1957 Khela Bhangar Khela 1957 Kanchamithe 1957 Ogo Shunchho 1957 Jiban Trishna Bhaskar Das Mallik 1957 Nilachaley Mahaprabhu 1957 Andhare Alo 1957 Ektara 1957 Ek Gaon Ki Kahani Hindi 1957 Ghum 1957 Natun Prabhat 1957 Bashantabahar 1957 Baroma 1957 Madhumalati 1957 Shesh Parichoy 1957 Srimatir Shangshar 1958 Louhakapat 1958 Kalamati 1958 Suryatoron 1958 Manmoyee Girls School 1958 Jamalaye Jibanta Manush Sidhu 1958 Bhanu Pelo Lottery Bhanu Chitrakar 1958 Shargo marto 1958 Jonakir Alo 1958 Daktarbabu 1958 Nupur 1959 Sonar Horin 1959 Personal Assistant Rama Gupta 1959 Nirdharito Shilpir Anupasthite 1959 Pushpadhanu 1959 Nauka Bilash 1959 Mriter Martye Agaman 1960 Shaharer Itikatha 1960 Hospital 1960 Shesh Parjanto 1960 Shokher Chor 1960 Surer Piyashi 1961 Mr and Mrs Chowdhury 1961 Bishkanya 1961 Kathin Maya 1961 Kanchanmulya 1961 Aaj Kal Parshu 1961 Kanamachhi 1961 Roybahadur 1961 Shayombara 1962 Mayar Shangshar 1962 Badhu 1962 Agnishikha 1962 Abhisharika 1962 Atal Jaler Ahwan Nanda 1962 Dadathakur 1963 Akash Pradip 1963 Dui Bari 1963 Barnochora 1963 Satbhai 1963 High Heel 1963 Dui Nari 1963 Hashi Shudhu hashi Noi 1963 Preyashi 1963 Chhayasurya 1963 Bhranti Bilas Shakti Kinkar and Bhakti Kinkar 1964 Jiban Kahini 1964 Bingshati Janani 1964 Dip Neve Nai 1965 Alor Pipasha 1965 Mahalogno 1965 Etotuku Basha 1965 Rajkanya 1965 Abhaya O Srikanta Nanda Mistry 1965 Dolna 1965 Mukhujjay Paribar 1965 Gulmohor 1965 Tapashi 1965 Debotar Deep 1965 Pati Shangshodhini Shamity 1966 Mayabini Lane 1966 Shesh Tin Din 1966 Galpo Holeo Satti Chhoto Khoka 1966 Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar 1966 Kal Tumi Aleya Care take babu Abhoy 1967 Anthony Firingee 1967 Hathat Dekha 1967 Kheya 1967 Prastar Shakhhor Goya, the Servant 1967 Hate Bajare Ajoblal 1967 Ashite Ashiona Sadananda 1967 Miss Priyangbada Halder / Miss Priyambada 1967 Nayika Sangbad 1968 Rakta Rekha 1968 Garh Nashimpur 1968 Chowrangee Nityahari Babu 1968 Apanjon Bhanu Ghosh (Politician) 1968 Baghini 1968 Pathe Holo Dekha 1969 Dadu 1969 Shabarmati Behari 1969 Pratham Kadam Phul Servant (Kakoli's home) 1969 Basanta Bahar 1969 Ma O Meye 1969 Shukshari 1970 Aleyar Alo 1970 Rajkumari Prashanna Bhattacharya 1970 Sagina Mahato 1971 Ekhane Pinjar 1971 Pratham Bashanta 1971 Malyadan 1971 Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant Bhanu Roy 1972 Stree 1973 Roudrachhaya 1973 Bindur Chhele (1973 film) Bhola 1973 Nishikanya 1973 Nakal Shona 1974 Sangini 1974 Shangini 1974 Prantorekha 1975 Priyo Bandhabi 1975 Shayongswhidhha 1975 Nishimrigaya 1975 Kabi 1975 Sangshar Shimante 1976 Shikarokti 1976 Mohunbaganer Meye 1976 Harmonium Police Inspector 1976 Nidhiram Sardar 1976 Nandita 1977 Chhotto Nayak 1977 Ashadharon 1977 Ek Je Chhilo Desh 1977 Ramer Shumati 1978 Bandi 1979 Devdas 1980 Priyatoma 1980 Banchharamer Bagaan 1980 Bhagyachakra 1980 Shondhi 1980 Dorpochurna 1980 Matribhokto Ramprashad 1981 Shubarnolata 1981 Pratishodh 1981 Shahar Theke Dooray Gokul Mukherjee (Jaya's father) 1981 Kapalkundala 1981 Father 1982 Pipasa 1982 Maa Bhabani Maa Aamar 1982 Preyoshi 1982 Matir Swarga 1982 Rajbabhu 1982 Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney 1982 Bijoyinee 1983 Shahar Theke Dure 1983 Shargadapi Gariyashi 1984 Shorgol (final film role)

Records (Comedy audio clips)