In today’s weekend blog I am writing about one more Bollywood director who also followed the path of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and directed & wrote many films which depicted the life of middle class characters. He hardly worked with top starts of that era, other than special appearance by top stars in his films. Friends, I am talking about BASU CHATTERJEE.
Those who have grown up in 1970s and 1980s will definitely recall seing some of his films. He also directed many Bengali films featuring artists from West Bengal & Bangladesh.
He was born in Ajmer, Rajasthan on 10th Jan 1927, in a Bengali family. His middle class upbringing reflected in his films that explored areas which were far removed from glamour and glitz of the blockbusters of that time.
He came in Bombay in early 1950s and started his career as an Illustrator and Cartoonist in a weekly Blitz. He worked there for more than 15 years and then switched over filmmaking. He started as an assistant to Basu Bhattacharya. Eventually he directed his first film Sara Akash in 1969. Some of his famous films were Piya Ka Ghar (1971), Rajnigandha (1974), Chitchor (1976), Choti Si Baat (1976), Khatta Meetha(1978), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Man Pasand (1980), Shaukeen (1982), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986). In 80s he started directing TV serials also and his most famoues TV serial was Rajni (1985), which depicted the difficulties of a middle class housewife, and how she solves them. His other famous TV serials were Darpan, Kakaji Kahin and Byomkesh Bakshi.
I am giving below the details of some of films which truly depicted the stories of middle class families and are my favourite.
- Piya Ka Ghar– A film produced by Rajshri Production (Tarachand Barjatya). In this film a family is staying in the Chawl in Bombay. The family has 3 sons with elder son already married. When the middle son gets married to a girl from small town, where houses are huge with open backyard etc. The story is about how the girl who has come from outside and how she finds difficult to adjust in One room , Kitchen Chawl.Some of the aituation shown were really hillarious. The film starred Anil Dhawan, Jaya Bhaduri, Agha and others. Music by Laxmikant Pyarelal
- Rajnigandha– A film produced by Suresh Jindal & Kamal Saigal. The story is about a young girls in 20s who is torn between her college crush and present beau. The story was told in very simple and comical way, where you relate with the characters. The film starred Amol Palekar, Vidya Sinha and Dinesh Thakur in the lead roles. Music by Salil Choudhari.
- Chitchor– A film produced by Rajshri production (Tarachand Barjatya). It is story of village girl, who gets marriage proposal from a well educated engineer who is being transferred to big project near the village, and coming to the village to finalise. But on the appointed date instead of him, his assistant comes, which family thinks is the person who is coming to see their girl.The girl start meeting this boy and falls in love with him.What happens when the real suitor come?. The film starred Amol Palekar, Zarina Wahab and Vijendra Ghatge. Music by Ravindra Jain.
- Chhoti Si Baat– Produced by BR films (BR Chopra). A story about a introvert shy boy , who starts liking a office going girl whom he sees daily at the bus stop. The girl is also pursued by an extrovert boy working in her office. The balance story is about how the introvert boys transforms himself and win over the girl. Starring once again Amol Palekar & Vidya Sinha, with Asrani playing the extrovert boy. Music by Salil Choudhari.
5.Khatta Meetha– Produced by Gul anand and Romu Sippy. The story is about a Parsi widower and Parsi widow,both having adult children. What happens when both get married, with their children having their indiviual lifes. How both supports each other’s children. Some of the situations shown were really funny. The film starred Ashok Kumar, Pearl Padamsee, Rakesh Roshan and Bindiya Goswami. Music by Rajesh Rpshan.
Basu Chattejee won many National & Filmfare awards, as listed below
National Awards
1978 Best Popular film providing Wholesome Entertainment-Swamy.
1992 Best film on Family Welfare- Durga
Filmfare Awards
1972 Best Screenplay-Sara Akash
1975 Critics Award for Best Film- Rajnigandha
1976 Best Screenplay- Chhoti Si Baat
1977 Best Screenplay- Chitchor
1978 Best Director- Swami
1980-Critics Award for Best Film-Jeena Yahan
1991-Best Screenplay-Kamla Ki Maut.
You will see from above how successful he was in making middle of the road films which subjects of middle class families.
Basu Chatterjee died due to old age related illness on 4th June 2020, at the age of 93 years.
Waiting for your views and comments.
Anil Malik
Mumbai, India
26th March 2021
v
R. N. Mungale.
I liked Baasu’s films.