Biswajeet Chatterjee
Biswajeet Chatterjee (born 14 December 1936), known mononymously as Biswajeet or Biswajit (Bengali: [ˈbiʃodʒit̪]; Hindi: [ˈʋɪʃʋədʒiːt̪]), is a veteran Indian actor, producer, director, singer and politician known for his work in Bengali cinema and Hindi cinema.
Biswajeet Chatterjee | |
|---|---|
 Chatterjee at the 38th International Kolkata Book Fair in 2014 | |
| Born | 14 December 1936[1] |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1958–present |
| Political party | Bharatiya Janata Party (2019–present) Trinamool Congress (2014–2019) |
| Spouse(s) | Ratna Chatterjee (divorced) Ira Chatterjee |
| Children | 3, including |
Biswajeet Chatterjee (born 14 December 1936), known mononymously as Biswajeet or Biswajit (Bengali: [ˈbiʃodʒit̪]; Hindi: [ˈʋɪʃʋədʒiːt̪]), is a veteran Indian actor, producer, director, singer and politician known for his work in Bengali cinema and Hindi cinema.[1][2]
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(1970) and Jay Jay Din(1969), composed by Nachiketa Ghosh and Salil Chowdhury Respectively.
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 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] | This section of a biography of a living person does not include any references or sources. (December 2025) |
| 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 | 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
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