Bhanu Banerjee

Bhanu Banerjee was born on 26 August 1920 at Dhaka, Bengal in a Kulin Brahmin family. His ancestral home was at a village called Panchgaon in Bikrampur, Dhaka Division, present day Bangladesh. Bhanu Banerjee was related to Sabitri Chatterjee through his maternal side. Aghorenath Chattopadhyay was his maternal grandfather's cousin. He studied at Kazir Pagla A. T. Institute, Lohajong, Pogose School and St. Gregory's High School in Dhaka followed by Jagannath College for his B.A. He then moved to Calcutta in 1941. In his initial years, Bandyopadhyay worked at the Iron & Steel Control Board. == Political activity ==

He was associated with the freedom fighter group Anushilan Samity in the Dhaka District. As a teenager, he was kept under house arrest for 30 days because the police suspected him of involvement in seditious activities. Following the Quit India movement, he joined the Revolutionary Socialist Party. He later founded the Kranti Shilpi Sangha with writer and filmmaker Salil Sen, staging Sen's landmark play Natun Yahudi (1951, filmed 1953) to raise funds for East Bengal refugees in Calcutta. == Career ==

Bandyopadhyay started his acting career as a stand-up comedian in Dhaka. He performed at office parties and then moved on to larger venues. In 1943, he released his first major comic gramophone record Dhakar Gadoane. Its success prompted him to release a new record every year during Durga Puja. He made his big screen debut with Devi Mukherjee and Sumitra Devi starrer Bengali film Abhijog (1947). Bandyopadhyay's breakthrough film role was in Nirmal Dey's Basu Parivar (1952) where he played a Bangal businessman. The next year his role as Kedar in Sharey Chuattar made him rise to fame. His line in the film, "Mashima, malpoa khamu" (Aunty, I want to eat malpoa), became a highly popular catchphrase. He teamed up with his best friend comedian Jahor Roy for many films like Bhanu Pelo Lottery and the humorous detective story Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant. Although chiefly known as a comedian, Bandyopadhyay has played serious roles films like Galpo Holeo Satti, Alor Pipasa, Amrita Kumbher Sandhane; Nirdharito Shilpir Onuposthitite, and even negative roles in Baghini and Bijayinee. He played the lead role in many films including Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Mriter Martye Agaman, Sworgo Mortyo, Personal Assistant, Miss Priyambada and Ashite Ashiona. Later in his career Bandyopadhyay founded his own Jatra group called Mukto Mancha. He produced, directed and acted in his own productions, traveling around the country with the troupe. == Personal life ==

Banerjee was married to Nilima Mukherjee, a playback singer. They had three children – Basabi Ghatak (née Banerjee), Gautam and Pinaki. Earlier the family stayed in Jubilee Park, Tollygunge. They later shifted to 42A, Charu Avenue, Rabindra Sarobar in 1960. == Death and legacy ==

Banerjee died of a heart-related illness on 4 March 1983. On 26 August 2011 his film Nirdharito Shilpir Onupasthitite (1959) was released on DVD. His son, Gautam Banerjee, has confirmed the release which coincided with his father's 91st birth anniversary. == Works ==

Filmography Records (Comedy audio clips) == References ==