Keshto Mukherjee

Keshto Mukherjee (7 August 1925 – 3 March 1982) was an Indian actor and comedian. He was born in Kolkata, Bengal Presidency, British India. He specialised in comic drunkard roles in Hindi films.

He used to share a very good relation with the iconic director Ritwik Ghatak and had very tiny but important roles in the maestro's films such as the trickster in Bari Theke Paliye, the madman in Ajantrik or character roles in Nagarik and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo.

Family and personal life Keshto Mukherjee was married to Chaaya Mukherjee, and they had two sons, Indrajit Mukherjee (Babloo Mukherjee) and Ranjit Mukherjee. Ranjit Mukherjee died in a traffic accident.

Relationship with alcohol Keshto Mukherjee specialised in comic drunkard roles in Hindi films. Though he was famous for his drunkard typecast role in Hindi films, he was a teetotaler throughout his life. However in his own interview published in the Stardust magazine in 1981, he mentioned the following; "I drink a lot. I started boozing when I left my home town and came to Bombay to become a film hero. I lived in a dingy room in the railway quarters with nothing to eat, but lots to drink. I drank because I was frustrated. I didn’t have any work. I drank to get some sleep, to forget that there were rats running all around the place, that there was a dog sleeping next to me. I drank to relieve the tension. And I only had daaru as my true friend. And again, it was because of this daaru that I gained popularity. Today, if anyone says my name, everyone pictures a bevda. I cannot ditch my friend now. I still drink. The only day when I didn’t touch a drop of liquor was on my wedding day."

Death Keshto Mukherjee died on March 3, 1982, in an accident in Mumbai (then Bombay).

Selected filmography

Nagarik (1952) - Jatin Babu Musafir (1957) - Street Dancer Ajantrik (1958) - Lunatic Bari Theke Paliye (1958) - Magician Lukochuri (1958) Khazanchi (1958) Parakh (1960) - Compounder Keshto Masoom (1960) - CID Officer Aas Ka Panchhi (1961) China Town (1962) - Keshto Prem Patra (1962) Asli Naqli (1962) Aashiq (1962) - Bheekhu Aarti (1962) - Johnny Daal Me Kala (1964) - Mangu Faraar (1965) - School Janitor Akashdeep (1965) - Ramu (uncredited) Teesri Kasam (1966) - Shivratan Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) - Keshto (Barber) Paari (1966) Biwi aur Makan (1966) Mehrban (1967) - Gadhamaharaj's devotee Majhli Didi (1967) - Bhola - Navin's employee Baazi (1968) - Madhav Padosan (1968) - Calcuttiya Shikar (1968) Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968) Apna Ghar Apni Kahani (1968) Anokhi Raat (1968) - Buyer (stammerer) Chanda Aur Bijli (1969) - Raju Suhana Safar (1970) - Keshto Maa Aur Mamta (1970) - Drunkard Geet (1970) - Keshav Mere Humsafar (1970) - Abdul Narayan D'Souza Umang (1970) - Prem Praksh Jagmag (uncredited) Maa Ka Aanchal (1970) - Drunkard Flower Vendor Bachpan (1970) - Advocate John - Tom's dad Guddi (1971) - Kader Bhai Rakhwala (1971) - Drunk patient (uncredited) Mere Apne (1971) - Jattu Memsaab (1971) - Masterji Lakhon Mein Ek (1971) - Chatterjee Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971) - Doctor Door Ka Raahi (1971) - Paunchkaudi Chori Chori (1972) - Hotel Manager Piya Ka Ghar (1972) - Baburao Kulkarni Sanjog (1972) - Mohan's Father Bombay To Goa (1972) - Sleeping Passenger Lalkaar (1972) - Keshto Parichay (1972) - Teacher Koshish (1972) - The Man irritated by Hari's whistling (uncredited) Sabse Bada Sukh (1972) - Guide at railway station Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) - Soldier Bindiya Aur Bandook (1972) Anokha Milan (1972) Mem Saheb (1972) Loafer (1973) - Drunk Zanjeer (1973) - Gangu Bada Kabootar (1973) - Abdul Sweekar (1973) - Drunkman Samjhauta (1973) - Cheater at R.K.Studio Chalaak (1973) - Gangaram Sakharam Patil Achanak (1973) - Man in the train Nirmaan (1974) - Bajrangi Apradhi (1974) - Nawab Ashiq Mizaaj Aarop (1974) - Kunwarelal Geetaa Mera Naam (1974) - Keshto - Raja's Assistant Aap Ki Kasam (1974) - Kanhaiya Lal (uncredited) Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974) - Drunkard Chor Chor (1974) - Keshto Mukherjee Trimurti (1974) - Drunk Man 5 Rifles (1974) - Drunkard Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) - Prospective groom for Janniya Jeevan Rekha (1974) Imaan (1974) - Mama Humrahi (1974) Call Girl (1974) Maze Le Lo (1975) Kaam Shastra (1975) Chupke Chupke (1975) - James D'Costa (Driver) Aakraman (1975) - Rangeela Qaid (1975) - Kanhaiyalal Pratigya (1975) - Chandi Kala Sona (1975) - Drunkard Sholay (1975) - Hariram Salaakhen (1975) - Qaidi No.840 Mazaaq (1975) - Waiter Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975) Do Thug (1975) - Jaggu Dhoti Lota Aur Chaupaty (1975) Aag Aur Toofan (1975) Sankoch (1976) - Dhakkan Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976) - Himalaya Club's President Charas (1976) - Police Inspector Gomes Zindagi (1976) - Principal 'Kalu' Sikka (1976) Rakhi Aur Rifle (1976) Meera Shyam (1976) Gumrah (1976) - Kesto - Drunk Arjun Pandit (1976) - Examiner Aaj Ka Mahatma (1976) - Pedro Vir Mangdavalo (1976) (Gujarati film) Amaanat (1977) - Drunk Chala Murari Hero Banane (1977) - Abdul Tinku (1977) - Truck Driver Sahib Bahadur (1977) - Trumpet Player Ram Bharose (1977) Niaz Aur Namaz (1977) Naami Chor (1977) Kitaab (1977) - Pandit Shankar Lal Kinara (1977) Inkaar (1977) - Drunk fishing at the china creek Dildaar (1977) - Raju Daku Aur Mahatma (1977) - Shersingh Chacha Bhatija (1977) - Kesto Agar... If (1977) - Chaman Aafat (1977) - Pyare Miyan Rahu Ketu (1978) - Taxi driver Aakhri Daku (1978) Naukri (1978) - Hawaldar Damaad (1978) - Tulsiram Azad (1978) - Ramesh Sharma Giddha (1978) - Policeman Devta (1978) Khatta Meetha (1978) - Milkman in the song "Roll Roll" Dillagi (1978) - Tonga driver Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) - Shantu's husband / Local drunk Sargam (1979) - Tushar Babu Ghosh / Chatterjee Prem Bandhan (1979) - Johny - Dr Vinod's Assistant Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) - Rahim (Chauffeur) Gol Maal (1979) - Drunk Jurmana (1979) - Babu Ram Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) - Watchman Hum Tere Ashiq Hain (1979) - Mukherjee Do Shikari (1979) - Gulu Salaam Memsaab (1979) - James Ghar Ki Laaj (1979) - Manphool Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani (1979) Desh Drohi (1980) - Drunkman in Hotel Room Khubsurat (1980) - Dayal's cook Aap Ke Deewane (1980) - Lawyer The Burning Train (1980) - Passenger in toilet Hum Nahin Sudhrenge (1980) - Mukherjee Red Rose (1980) - Man came to buy brassiere for his girlfriend Be-Reham (1980) - Ram Prasad Taxi Chor (1980) - Robert Qatil Kaun (1980) - Press Manager Garam Khoon (1980) Ganga Aur Suraj (1980) Paanch Qaidi (1981) - Sharaabi Kudrat (1981) - Jagat Ram Mangalsutra (1981) - Drunk in Tonga Wardat (1981) - Dharamdas Naseeb (1981) - Ad Film Director Rocky (1981) - Drunk Driver Chhupa Chhuppi (1981) Shradhanjali (1981) - Rocky - Drummer Sansani: The Sensation (1981) - Juman Miya Nai Imarat (1981) - Drinkard Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani (1981) Main Aur Mera Haathi (1981) Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981) - Husband of lady with necklace Jeene ki Arzoo (1981) Hathkadi (1982) - Drunkman Dial 100 (1982) - P. K. Bahke Meharbaani (1982) Troyee (1982) - Drunkard Ghazab (1982) - Emperor Dil-E-Nadan (1982) Waqt-Waqt Ki Baat (1982) Shiv Charan (1982) - Sweeper Rachna (1983) - Babu Paanchwin Manzil (1983) Divorce (1984) - Shankar dada Kasam Durga Ki (1984) Hanste Khelte (1984) - Canteen Owner Hum Dono (1985) - Shankar Maa Ki Saugandh (1986) Aatank (1996) - Phillips Crasto (uncredited) (final film role)

Awards and nominations