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Biswajeet Chatterjee
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Biswajeet Chatterjee (born 14 December 1936), known mononymously as Biswajeet, is a veteran Indian actor, producer, director, singer and politician known for his work in Bengali cinema and Hindi cinema.[1][2]
Key Information
Early career
[edit]He made his acting debut in the Bengali films with the legendary icon Uttam Kumar in Mayamrigo (1960) and Dui Bhai (1961), both superhits, then he relocated to Bombay. In 1962, he performed in the film Bees Saal Baad which was actually offered first to Uttam Kumar but he rejected and was the first film produced by Hemant Kumar, and then followed by Kohraa, Bin Badal Barsat, Majboor, Kaise Kahoon, and Paisa Ya Pyaar.
His filmography includes Mere Sanam (1965), Shehnai, Aasra (1964), Night in London, Yeh Raat Phir Naa Aaygi (1966), April Fool (1964), Kismat (1968), Do Kaliyan (1968), Ishq Par Zor Nahin and Sharaarat (1972). He was usually paired with notable actresses such as Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Mala Sinha and Rajshree.
Biswajit appeared in Rekha's debut film Anjana Safar (1969) (later re-titled Do Shikaari). Though Anjana Safar was blocked by the censors and not released until 10 years later, a scene from the film which shows him kissing Rekha appeared on the pages of the Asian edition of Life magazine.[3] Rekha had complained that during the filming of one of the romantic scenes, Biswajit unexpectedly kissed her for 5 minutes against her will, and the entire crew started cheering and whistling while she was in tears.[4]
Between acting in Bollywood movies, Biswajit has returned to Calcutta to act in Bengali films, including Chowringhee (1968) and Garh Nasimpur with Uttam Kumar and Kuheli and much later, Srimaan Prithviraj (1973), Jai Baba Taraknath (1977) and Amar Geeti (1983).
Apart from acting, Biswajeet also sings and performs in concerts. In the 1970s, he cut a disc of two Bengali modern numbers Tomar Chokher Kajole and Jay Jay Din, both composed by Salil Choudhury.
Later career
[edit]In 1975, Biswajit produced and directed his own film, Kahte Hai Mujhko Raja. The film besides him starred Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Rekha. He had done one film Anjana Safar with Rekha previously. R.D. Burman composed the music. Later, he went back to acting. He will make a film on Netaji Subash Chandra Bose's life (in Hindi, English and Bengali) and will act in a new untitled Hindi film (murder mystery) with his younger daughter actress Prima Chatterjee.[5] He has also acted in a Hindi Stage Play, Ulta Seedha, produced directed written by wife Ira Chatterjee. In the play, he acted with his daughter Prima.
Political career
[edit]In the 2014 general elections, Biswajit contested from New Delhi as an All India Trinamool Congress candidate. He finished 7th, securing only 909 votes.[6][7]
In 2019, he joined Bharatiya Janata Party.[7]
Personal life
[edit]Biswajit has a son and a daughter by his first wife, the late Ratna Chatterjee. His son Prosenjit and elder daughter Pallavi Chatterjee are also actors in the Bengali Film Industry. Biswajit lives in Mumbai with his second wife, Ira Chatterjee who is producer, director, writer of stage plays and is owner of Dream Theatre. Their daughter, Prima Chatterjee is a film actress, theatre actress and a dance performer.
Filmography
[edit]| Year | Film | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Kangsa | Krishna |
| 1959 | Daak Harkaraa | |
| 1960 | Maya Mriga | Rajatshubhra |
| Natun Fasal | ||
| Shesh Paryantra | ||
| 1961 | Ashay Bandhinu Ghar | |
| Dui Bhai | Kamal Chatterjee | |
| Kathin Maya | ||
| 1962 | Mayar Sansar | |
| Badhu | ||
| Aamar Desh | ||
| Sorry Madam | ||
| Nav Diganta | ||
| Dhoop Chhaya | ||
| Dada Thakur | Darpanarayan | |
| Bees Saal Baad | Vijay "Kumar" Singh Thakur | |
| 1963 | Akashpradip | |
| Ek Tukro Agun | ||
| Tridhara | Premadri Lahiri | |
| Hasi Shudhu Hasi Noy | ||
| Bin Badal Barsaat | Prabhat Thakur | |
| 1964 | Agnibanya | |
| Kaise Kahoon | Amar | |
| Kohra | Amit Kumar Singh | |
| Godhuli Belaye | ||
| Prabhater Rang | ||
| April Fool | Ashok | |
| Shehnai | Deepak | |
| Majboor | Ravi | |
| 1965 | Trishna | |
| Pratham Prem | ||
| Ektuku Chhoan Lage | ||
| Gulmohar | ||
| Do Dil | Manu "Badal" | |
| Mere Sanam | Ramesh Kumar | |
| 1966 | Monihar | |
| Aasra | Amar Kumar | |
| Biwi Aur Makan | Arun | |
| Sagaai | Rajesh | |
| Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi | Surajprakash | |
| 1967 | Night In London | Jeevan "Vijay" |
| Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan | Ravi Kumar Mehra | |
| Jaal | Inspector Shankar | |
| Nai Roshni | Prakash | |
| Ghar Ka Chirag | ||
| 1968 | Vaasna | Dr. Shekhar |
| Kahin Din Kahin Raat | Suraj "Robbie" | |
| Krishna Bhakt Sudaama | Krishna | |
| Chhotto Jignasa | ||
| Do Kaliyan | Shekhar | |
| Chowringhee | Anindya Pakrashi | |
| Garh Nasimpur | ||
| Kismat | Vicky | |
| 1969 | Pyar Ka Sapna | |
| Paisa Ya Pyar | Shekhar | |
| Tamanna | ||
| Rahgir | ||
| 1970 | Pardesi | Ajay |
| Ishq Par Zor Nahin | Amar Doraiswami | |
| 1971 | Pratibad | |
| Chahat | Ashok | |
| Main Sundar Hoon | Amar | |
| Kuheli | Shankar | |
| 1972 | Chaitali | |
| Shararat | Harry | |
| Roktakto Bangla | Shaheed | |
| 1973 | Ami Sirajer Begam | Nawab Siraj ud-Daulah |
| Mehmaan | Rajesh | |
| Shriman Prithviraj | Akhil Mitra | |
| 1974 | Do Aankhen | |
| Prantarekha | ||
| Raktatilak | Roop Singh | |
| Phir Kab Milogi | Rajesh Sharma | |
| 1975 | Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja | Raja Thakur |
| Rajaram "Raja" | ||
| 1976 | Bajrangbali | Rama |
| 1977 | Chhotto Nayak | |
| Bhola Moira | ||
| Baba Taraknath | Scientist | |
| Naami Chor | ||
| 1978 | Saat Bhai Champa | |
| Karunamoyee | ||
| Ranger Saheb | ||
| 1979 | Jai Baba Baidyanath | |
| Bhagyalipi | ||
| Do Shikaari | Ranjeet | |
| 1980 | Gori Dian Jhanjran | Kasturilal |
| Humkadam | Mr. Dutt | |
| 1981 | Abichar | |
| Meghmukti | ||
| 1982 | Sonar Bangla | |
| 1983 | Amar Geeti | |
| 1984 | Anand Aur Anand | Mr. Thakur |
| Shorgol | ||
| 1985 | Saaheb | Mr. Sharma |
| Harishchandra Shaibya | Maharaj Harishchandra | |
| 1986 | Krishna-Krishna | Krishna |
| Allah Rakha | Inspector Anwar | |
| 1987 | Micha Mayara Sansar | |
| Nishibasar | ||
| Radha Rani | ||
| Sadak Chhap | Lakshman | |
| 1988 | Shiv Ganga | Kamdev |
| Rater Kuheli | ||
| Be Lagaam | ||
| 1989 | Hal Aur Bandook | |
| Sansar | ||
| 1990 | Kayedi | |
| Zimmedaaar | Chief Inspector | |
| 1991 | Jigarwala | Ranjeet Singh |
| Kaun Kare Kurbanie | Police Commissioner | |
| 1992 | Mehboob Mere Mehboob | Maharaj |
| Rupban Kanya | Ekabbar Badshah | |
| 1993 | Dil Apna Aur Preet Paraee | B. N. Sharma |
| 1995 | Pyar Do Pyar Lo | |
| 1998 | Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat | |
| Ek Tha Dil Ek Tha Dhadkhan | ||
| 1999 | Sar Ankhon Par | Vishwajeet Chatterjee |
| Kichhhu Sanlap Kichhu Pralap | ||
| 2000 | Bharat India Hindustan | James Bond |
| 2001 | Dark Night | |
| Mera Saaya | ||
| 2002 | Great Target | |
| Inth Ka Jawab Patthar | Devendra's Adopted Father | |
| 2003 | Adorini | |
| 2004 | Birsa Munda – The Black Iron Man | |
| 2009 | Aa Dekhen Zara | Mr. Acharya |
| 2012 | Baarood – A Love Story | |
| 2013 | Kajra Mohabbat Wala | Anita's Father |
| Rangbaaz | ||
| 2014 | Sondhey Namaar Aagey | |
| 2017 | Phir Aaya Satte Pe Satta | Mamaji |
Director
[edit]| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1974 | Raktatilak |
| 1975 | Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja |
| 1981 | Abichar |
| 1984 | Shorgol |
Producer
[edit]| Year | Film |
|---|---|
| 1975 | Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja |
| 2013 | Sorry Madam Maaf Karo |
Awards and honors
[edit]- Filmfare Awards Bangla 2025 – Lifetime Achievement Award[8]
- Indian Personality of the year at 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI)[9]
- Lifetime Achievement award at 5th Dehradun International Film Festival (DIFF) in 2019[10]
- Guest of Honour 24th Kolkata International Film Festival (KIFF)[11]
- On 88th birthday of Mohammed Rafi, Chatterjee received Mohammed Rafi Award in Mumbai.
- In 1963, Biswajit received President Gold Medal for film Dada Thakur from President Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b अनुप्रिया वर्मा (23 December 2018). "Happy Birthday Biswajit: ऐसा क्या हुआ था कि विश्वजीत के बेडरूम में ही तीन दिन तक पड़े रहे थे धर्मेंद्र". Dainik Jagran (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 24 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ Ruman Ganguly (3 January 2018). "To me, Soumitra jethu is no less than a father: Prosenjit – Times of India". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 10 July 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ Screen Weekly, "The hero who was made up to look like a girl", India FM, 23 January 2007.
- ^ "Smooch, Sindoor and Suicide: Rekha biography gives shocking details on the star's life". www.indiatoday.in. Archived from the original on 7 September 2016. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ PTI (1 February 2015). "People will know real side of Netaji through my film: Biswajit". Zee News. Archived from the original on 23 December 2018. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
- ^ "Constituencywise-All Candidates". Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 23 May 2014.
- ^ a b IANS (19 February 2019). "Veteran Indian actor joins BJP, praises Modi". Khaleej Times. Archived from the original on 5 May 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.
- ^ "Filmfare Awards Bangla 2025 Winners: Complete List Out". Filmfare.
- ^ "IFFI: Biswajit Chatterjee awarded 'Indian Personality of the Year'". The Indian Express. 17 January 2021. Retrieved 19 January 2021.
- ^ Sen, Debolina (11 September 2019). "Another Lifetime Achievement award for Biswajit Chatterjee". The Times of India. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ "24th Kolkata International Film Festival celebrates 100 years of Bengali cinema". The New Indian Express. 10 November 2018. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
- ^ Bhattacharya, Roshmila (11 July 2020). "This Week That Year: Biswajeet Chatterjee and a dream that died with Guru Dutt". Mumbai Mirror. Retrieved 18 February 2021.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Biswajit Chatterjee.
Biswajeet Chatterjee
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Early life
Birth and family background
Biswajeet Chatterjee was born on 14 December 1936 in Calcutta, Bengal Presidency, British India (now Kolkata, West Bengal, India). [4] He was born into a Bengali family. [4] His father served in the Army and was a strict disciplinarian who did not support his son's early inclinations toward performance. [4] Chatterjee lost his mother very early in life, after which he accompanied his father to various parts of the country due to frequent military postings. [4] This itinerant childhood marked his early environment away from a settled life in Calcutta. [4] From a young age, he exhibited a natural flair for acting and singing. [4]Education and early interests
Biswajeet Chatterjee displayed a natural flair for acting and singing from childhood. [4] Despite his father's strict disapproval—stemming from a disciplined military background that did not encourage histrionics—he secretly pursued his passion for performance. [4] [5] He joined a local theatre group, where he took on odd jobs in exchange for small, peripheral roles in plays. [4] This early involvement in theatre allowed him to hone his skills amid challenging personal circumstances, including being thrown out of his home after refusing his father's arrangement for admission to a military academy in Dehradun. [5] [4] Details about his formal education or schooling remain largely undocumented in available sources.Entry into acting
Debut in Bengali cinema
Biswajit Chatterjee made his screen debut in Bengali cinema with the mythological film Kangsha (also spelled Kansha) in 1958, where he played the role of Krishna. He took this role reluctantly to secure the lead in his breakthrough film Maya Mriga (1960), opposite the iconic actor Uttam Kumar. [6] Maya Mriga became a huge hit and established him as a prominent romantic lead in Tollywood during the early 1960s. [6] He followed this success with another collaboration alongside Uttam Kumar in Dui Bhai (1961), which also achieved significant commercial success and reinforced his early standing in the Bengali film industry. [6] These early roles marked his entry into professional acting in Bengali films, showcasing his appeal in romantic narratives within the Tollywood landscape before he pursued opportunities in the Hindi film industry.Transition to Hindi films
After achieving success in Bengali cinema through films such as Maya Mriga (1960) and Dui Bhai (1961), Biswajit Chatterjee relocated to Bombay to establish himself in Hindi films. [7] He received an offer from director Guru Dutt for a role in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam but declined it, as it required committing to a five-year contract for which he was unprepared. [8] Soon afterward, singer and producer Hemant Kumar offered him the lead role in Bees Saal Baad (1962), marking his debut in Hindi cinema. [8] [7] Bees Saal Baad became a superhit and launched his career in the Hindi film industry, after which there was no looking back. [8] In the early years following his transition, he took on roles in several Hindi projects, building on the momentum from his debut while navigating the shift from Bengali to Bombay cinema. [7]Acting career
Breakthrough and peak years in Hindi cinema
Biswajeet Chatterjee achieved his breakthrough in Hindi cinema with the 1962 psychological thriller Bees Saal Baad, directed by Biren Nag and produced by Hemant Kumar, where he played the lead role of Thakur Kumar Vijay Singh opposite Waheeda Rehman. The film, adapted from the Bengali Jighansa and inspired by The Hound of the Baskervilles, was a major success and marked his successful entry into Bollywood after his established career in Bengali films. Its suspenseful narrative, combined with Hemant Kumar's acclaimed soundtrack—including enduring hits like "Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil"—established Chatterjee as a prominent suspense hero, with his stylish appearance in overcoats, boots, and a distinctive curly lock becoming a fad.[9][10] Chatterjee's peak popularity in Hindi cinema unfolded through the mid-1960s with a string of commercially successful films that highlighted his charm as a romantic lead. April Fool (1964), opposite Saira Banu and directed by Subodh Mukherjee, featured him as Ashok in a light-hearted romantic comedy whose songs, including "April Fool Banaya," remain popular. Mere Sanam (1965), co-starring Asha Parekh and directed by Amar Kumar, showcased him as Ramesh Kumar in a musical romance, with iconic songs such as "Hamdam Mere, Maan Bhi Jao" and "Jaaiye Aap Kahan Jaayenge" contributing to its lasting popularity. During this period, Chatterjee frequently collaborated with top heroines including Asha Parekh, Waheeda Rehman, Mumtaz, Mala Sinha, and Rajshree, appearing in a range of romantic and thriller genres that cemented his status as a leading star of the era. His films from these years, including Kohra (1964) and Night in London (1967), further reinforced his appeal through memorable performances and music.Notable roles and collaborations
Biswajeet Chatterjee established himself as a leading man in Hindi cinema through a series of memorable performances, particularly in thrillers and romantic dramas during the 1960s. He achieved significant recognition for his role in the mystery thriller Bees Saal Baad (1962), directed by Biren Nag and produced by Hemant Kumar, where he starred opposite Waheeda Rehman. His portrayal brought together elements of romance and intrigue, contributing to the film's enduring popularity as a classic Bollywood mystery. Chatterjee frequently collaborated with prominent actresses of the era, including Waheeda Rehman in multiple projects such as Kohra (1964), another suspenseful narrative. He was often paired with Asha Parekh in romantic musicals, notably in Mere Sanam (1965), where he played the lead in a tale of love, property disputes, and framed murder. These roles highlighted his versatility across genres and his status as a sought-after actor during his peak years. He also worked with directors such as Biren Nag for thrillers and Amar Kumar for musical romances.Later acting work
After his prominent roles during the peak years of Hindi cinema in the 1960s and 1970s, Biswajeet Chatterjee's acting appearances became more sporadic, shifting toward supporting and character roles in both Hindi and Bengali films. He returned periodically to Bengali cinema, taking on parts in projects during the late 1970s and 1980s. In 1980, he played Mr. Dutt in the Hindi film Humkadam. He appeared in the Bengali film Amar Geeti in 1983. Additional roles followed in the 1990s, including a part in Kaun Kare Kurbanie (1991). In later decades, his screen work remained occasional, with appearances in films such as Aa Dekhen Zara (2009) and others into the 2010s, though his public activities increasingly centered on singing performances of his classic hits rather than frequent acting. No major television roles are documented in this phase.Filmmaking career
Directing and production roles
Biswajit Chatterjee ventured into directing and production in the 1970s, expanding his contributions to Indian cinema beyond acting.[6] His directorial debut was the Bengali film Raktatilak (1974), which he also produced.[6] He followed this with his most prominent Hindi project, Kahtey Hain Mujhko Raja (1975), which he directed and produced under his own banner; the film starred Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Chatterjee himself.[11][12] In the early 1980s, Chatterjee directed two additional Bengali films: Abichar (1981) and Shorgol (1984).[11] These works reflected his continued interest in filmmaking across both Bengali and Hindi industries, though they received less attention compared to his acting career.[13]Personal life
Marriages and family
Biswajit Chatterjee has been married twice.[7] His first wife was Ratna Chatterjee, with whom he had a son, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and a daughter, Pallavi Chatterjee.[14][7] Ratna Chatterjee, Prosenjit's mother, passed away in the early 2000s.[14] He later married Ira Chatterjee, with whom he has a daughter, Shambhavi Chatterjee.[15] Biswajit Chatterjee lives in Mumbai with his second wife and their daughter.[7] His children from his first marriage, Prosenjit Chatterjee and Pallavi Chatterjee, have both pursued acting careers in Bengali films and television.[7][14]Later years
In his later years, he has maintained a relatively low profile following his active acting career, though he has continued to receive recognition for his contributions to Indian film. [3] In 2021, he was conferred the Indian Personality of the Year award at the 51st International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, an honor announced by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar and presented alongside the National Film Awards. [16] [3] He also became involved in politics, joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2019. As recently as April 2025, the veteran actor shared remembrances of his late friend and colleague Manoj Kumar following the latter's death, indicating his ongoing engagement with the film community through media statements. [17] No major health issues have been publicly reported in recent sources, and he remains active in occasional public reflections on his career and contemporaries. [17]Legacy
Recognition and influence
Biswajeet Chatterjee remains widely remembered as the evergreen romantic hero of 1960s Hindi and Bengali cinema, celebrated for his effervescent portrayals, charming on-screen presence, and mesmerizing smile that captivated audiences, particularly female fans across India. [4] Old-timers and admirers still vividly recall his romantic roles opposite leading actresses of the era, which established him as a pan-Indian heartthrob and matinee idol during that decade. [4] His contributions extended beyond romance, as he participated in several suspense thrillers that blended mystery, haunting atmosphere, and romantic elements, helping popularize the romantic thriller format in 1960s Hindi cinema. [4] Notably, he set a precedent in Hindi films by performing in drag for the hit song "Kajra Mohabbat Wala" in Kismat (1968), influencing later actors to incorporate similar cross-dressing cameos in their work. [4] Chatterjee is regarded as a living legend and veteran of Indian cinema for his vast body of work across Hindi and Bengali films, with industry figures describing him as an ideal figure to reintroduce to new generations through his enduring cinematic legacy. [2] His impact persists through retrospective appreciation of his charismatic style and multi-faceted contributions as an actor, and his legacy continues in the industry via his son Prosenjit Chatterjee, a prominent figure in contemporary Bengali cinema. [2]Awards and honours
Biswajit Chatterjee has received several honours recognizing his enduring contributions to Indian cinema as an actor, producer, director, and singer across Hindi and Bengali films. The Bengali film Dada Thakur (1962) received the President's Gold Medal for Best Feature Film at the National Film Awards, presented by Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. [6] Later, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 5th Dehradun International Film Festival in 2019. [6] He was also conferred the Indian Personality of the Year Award at the 51st International Film Festival of India in Goa in 2021, presented during the closing ceremony on January 24, 2021. [18] Among his other recognitions is the Mohammed Rafi Award. [6]Selected filmography
Biswajeet Chatterjee has had a long and varied career in Indian cinema, with significant contributions to both Bengali and Hindi films as an actor, and occasionally as a director and producer. His most prominent work came during the 1960s, when he starred in several successful thrillers, romances, and family dramas, often in leading roles opposite major stars of the era. Later credits include supporting appearances in notable productions. The following table presents a selection of his key film credits, focusing on widely recognized works that highlight his impact in the industry.[11][16]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Bees Saal Baad | Kumar Vijay Singh Thakur |
| 1964 | April Fool | Ashok |
| 1964 | Kohra | Amit Kumar Singh |
| 1965 | Mere Sanam | Kumar |
| 1966 | Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi | Surajprakash |
| 1966 | Do Dil | Manu / Badal |
| 1968 | Do Kaliyan | Shekhar |
| 1968 | Chowringhee | Anindya Pakrashi |
| 1971 | Kuheli | Lead role |
| 1975 | Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja | Raja Thakur (also director and producer) |
| 1988 | Salaam Bombay! | Supporting role |
| 2009 | Aa Dekhen Zara | Mr. Acharya |