Goutam Ghose

Goutam Ghose (also spelled Gautam Ghosh; born 24 July 1950) is an Indian film director, actor, music director and cinematographer who works primarily in Bengali cinema. He is the only Indian to have received the "Vittorio Di Sica" Award, Italy, in 1997.

In 2012, the Government of West Bengal honored him with the Banga Bibhushan for lifetime achievement. Acknowledging his contributions to film, he was awarded the Knighthood of the Star of the Italian Solidarity in July 2006.

Early life Goutam Ghose was born on 24 July 1950 in Calcutta, India to Santana and Prof. Himangshu Kumar Ghose. His kindergarten days began at the St John's Diocesan School (now an all-girls school). He studied there till class 4 and then moved to the neighboring Cathedral Missionary Boys' School. He graduated from the University of Calcutta.

Career He started making documentaries in 1973. Took active part in group theatre movement in Calcutta. Also dedicated some time as a Photojournalist. Made his first documentary, New Earth, in 1973 followed by Hungry Autumn. Since then, he has made a number of feature films and documentaries. Ghose was greatly influenced by the movies of Akira Kurosawa' Homage, Satyajit Ray's adventure film, Ritwik Ghatak's hyperlink cinema, Rajen Tarafdar's partition of India in film, Mrinal Sen's New Indian Cinema, and Ajoy Kar's social realism, who had heralded a new era in Bengali movie through his works.

His most successful films were Antarjali Jatra, Padma Nadir Majhi, Abar Aranye, , Shankhachil and . He came into limelight for these films.

Filmography Denotes film that has not yet been released

As film director

As actor

Awards and recognitions

Hungry Autumn (documentary): Main Award, Oberhausen Film Festival (1978)

Land of Sand Dunes (documentary): National Film Award for Best Non-Feature Film (1986)

Meeting a Milestone (documentary): The President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting the Best Direction Award for the year 2004 to Mr. Goutam GhoseSpecial screening at the Cannes Film Festival, (out of competition)

Maa Bhoomi: Nandi Award for Best Feature Film Filmfare Award for Best Film – Telugu

Dakhal: National Film Award for Best Feature Film (1982) Silver Medal at Figuera De Foz, Portugal (1982) Ecumenical Jury Prize for Human Rights Festival at Strasbourg, France (1982)

Paar: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi(1985) National Film Award for Best Actor and Actress (1985) UNESCO Award at Venice Film Festival (1984) Best Actor at Venice Film Festival (1984) FIPRESCI Award, Red Cross Award at Verna Film Festival (1987). Filmfare Award for Best Direction and Best Screenplay

Antarjali Jatra: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali (1987) Un-Certain Regards, Cannes Film Festival (1988) Grand Prix – Golden Semurg at Tashkent Film Festival (1988)

Padma Nadir Majhi: National Film Award for Best Direction (1992) National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film (1992). UNESCO Award, Cannes Film Festival (1993).

Patang: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (1993) Best Actress Award at Taormina Film Fest, Italy – Shabana Azmi (1994)

Beyond the Himalayas (documentary): Filmfare Award for Best Documentary

Gudia: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi (1996) Un-Certain Regards, Cannes Film Festival (1997)

Dekha: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali (2001) Silver Balloon Award, Nantes Film Festival

Kalahandi (documentary): National Film Award for Best Investigative Film (2002)

A Treasure in the Snow (documentary): National Film Award for Best Promotional Film (2003)

Abar Aranye: National Film Award for Best Direction National Film Award for Best Screenplay

Impermanence (documentary): Premiered at the Venice International Film Festival (2004)

Yatra: National Film Award for Best Cinematography

Moner Manush: Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration (A National award) Golden Peacock for Best Film at the 41st International Film Festival of India held at Goa.

Shankhachil: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali 41st Bangladesh National Film Awards for Best Actress, Best child Artist and Best art Direction. Montreal World Film Festival For Nominate

Special Awards: Is the only Indian to have received the "Vittorio Di Sica" Award, Italy, 1997 Was awarded the Knighthood of the "Star of the Italian Solidarity" in July 2006 Awarded the Banga Bibhushan for lifetime achievement in film direction in 2012 UNESCO Award (1985) Kalakar Awards PIFF Distinguished Award (2024)

Honours

In 2017, he was inducted as a member of the Oscar Academy Honorary Doctorate by Adamas University Honorary Doctorate by Sidho-Kanho-Birsha University

In 2026, Ghose joined the Gold Mercury Council, the international advisory council of Gold Mercury International.

As an avant-garde poet Ghose has portrayed the role of a Hungry generation poet in Srijit Mukherji's film (2011) and also penned the poems of the character he played.