Biswajit Chatterjee

Biswajit (Hindi: बिस्वजित चत्तेर्जि, Urdu: بِسوجِت چتّیرجِ, full name Biswajit Deb, Bengali: বিশ্বজিৎ চ্যাটার্জী) is a Bengali/Hindi actor. He was born in Calcutta, West Bengal, but later went over to Bombay to do some memorable Hindi films.

Early career

After a couple of hit films in Calcutta like 'Mayamrigo' (1960) and 'Dui Bhai' (1961), Biswajit went to Bombay. In 1962, he catapulted to fame with his superhit film, "Bees Saal Baad". Even though Shammi Kapoor was the reigning heart-throb of the masses and considered the king of romance in the 60s, Biswajit was a name to reckon with during that time.

He acted in notable films like 'Mere Sanam' (1965), " Shehnai" (1964), 'Yeh Raat Phir Naa Ayegi' (1966), 'April Fool' (1964), 'Do Kaliyan' (1968), and 'Sharaarat' (1972). He was mostly paired with top actresses like Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Mala Sinha and Rajshree. His films often had popular soundtracks, causing the films, and Biswajeet, to become even better-known.

Biswajit also appeared in Rekha's debut film Anjana Safar (1969),(later re-titled Do Shikari) Though "Anjana Safar" was blocked by the censors and not released until 10 years later in 1979, a scene from the film which shows him kissing Rekha appeared on the pages of the Asian edition of "Life" magazine. [ [http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007/01/23/2146/index.html The hero who was made up to look like a girl ] ]

In between acting in Bollywood movies, Biswajit kept going back to Calcutta to act in Bengali films, like the superhit " Chowringhee" (1968) with Uttam Kumar and much later, 'Srimaan Prithviraj' (1973) and 'Baba Taraknath' (1977).

Later career

In 1975, Biswajit produced and directed his own film, Kahte Hai Mujhko Raja. He also acted in the film with major stars, such as Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, and Rekha (reteaming with her after working with her on her debut film "Anjana Safar" in 1969). Because of the star-studded cast and R.D. Burman's music, the film did moderately well at the box office. Later he went back to acting.

Personal life

Biswajit has been married twice and has three children. He has a son and a daughter from his late first wife. His son Prasenjit is a superstar in Bengali Film Industry and has been the number one star of Bengali cinema for more than a decade now. His elder daughter, Pallabi Chatterjee, is a lesser known film and television actress.

Biswajit currently lives in Bombay with his second wife and their daughter Shambhavi.

Filmography

*"Natun Fasal" (1960)
*"Maya Mriga" (1960)
*"Kathin Maya" (1961)
*"Dui Bhai" (1961)
*"Nav Diganta" (1962)
*"Dhoop Chhaya" (1962)
*"Dada Thakur" (1962)
*"Bees Saal Baad" (1962)
*"Bin Badal Barsaat" (1963)
*"Shehnai" (1964)
*"Prabhater Rang" (1964)
*"Majboor" (1964)
*"Kohra" (1964)
*"Kaise Kahoon" (1964)
*"Godhuli Belaye" (1964)
*"April Fool" (1964)
*"Mere Sanam" (1965)
*"Do Dil" (1965)
*"Yeh Raat Phir Na Aayegi" (1966)
*"Sagaai" (1966)
*"Biwi Aur Makaan" (1966)
*" Aasra" (1966) .... Amar Kumar
*"Night in London" (1967) .... Jivan
*"Nai Roshni" (1967) .... Prakash
*"Jaal" (1967)
*"Hare Kanch Ki Chooriyan" (1967)
*"Ghar Ka Chirag" (1967)
*"Vaasna" (1968)
*"Kismat" (1968)
*"Do Kaliyaan" (1968)
*Chowringhee" (1968)
*"Tamanna" (1969)
*"Raahgir" (1969)
*"Pyar Ka Sapna" (1969)
*"Pardesi" (1970)
*"Ishq Par Zor Nahin" (1970)
*"Main Sunder Hoon" (1971)
*"Shararat" (1972)
*"Sriman Prithviraj" (1973)
*"Mehmaan" (1973)
*"Prantarekha" (1974)
*"Do Aankhen" (1974)
*"Phir Kab Milogi" (1974)
*"Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja" (1975)
*"Jai Bajrang Bali" (1976)
*"Naami Chor" (1977)
*"Baba Taraknath" (1977)
*"Do Shikaari" (1979)
*"Hum kadam" (1980)
*"Amar Geeti" (1983)
*"Anand Aur Anand" (1984)
*"Saaheb" (1985)
*"Krishna-Krishna" (1986)
*"Allah Rakha" (1986)
*"Belagaam" (1988)
*"Zimmedaar" (1990)
*"Jigarwala" (1991)
*"Mehboob Mere Mehboob" (1992)
*"Inth Ka Jawab Patthar" (2002)

References

Biswajit:44 Saal Baad ; Interview by Devinder Bir Kaur-The Tribune.Chandigarh [http://www.tribuneindia.com/2006/20061223/cth2.htm#10]