‘Rajinigandha’ director Basu Chatterjee passes away
Veteran filmmaker Basu Chatterjee, known for his relatable, light as soufflé brand of cinema with films such as “Rajnigandha” and “Chitchor”, died on Thursday following age-related health issues. He was 93. Chatterjee, who is survived by his daughters Sonali Bhattacharya and Rupali Guha, died in his sleep at his Santacruz residence. Many people in the film industry and outside condoled the death of the director, who placed the middle class and its everyday joys and struggles at the centre of his cinematic world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi remembered Chatterjee as a filmmaker whose cinema touched people’s hearts.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said, “Saddened at the demise of legendary film director and screenwriter Basu Chatterjee. He gave us gems like ‘Chhoti Si Baat’, ‘Chitchor’, ‘Rajanigandha’, ‘Byomkesh Bakshi’, ‘Rajnigandha’ among others. Condolences to his family, friends, fans & the entire film fraternity.
Chatterjee began as a cartoonist in a tabloid but changed his career path after assisting Basu Bhattacharya in the Raj Kapoor-Waheeda Rehman starrer “Teesri Kasam”. His cinema was progressive for the times, unhurried and a slice of everyday life – about conversations over cups of chai and romances blossoming in public buses, trains and office buildings.
Some of his best known works are “Us Paar”, “Chitchor”, “Piya Ka Ghar”, “Khatta Meetha” and “Baton Baton Mein”. The filmmaker passed away less than a week after the death of lyricist Yogesh Gaur, who penned many popular songs in Chatterjee’s films, including “Rajinigandha Phool Tumhare” and “Na Jaane Kyun”. Gaur died on May 29.
