The last of the middle-of-the-road cinema pioneers, Basu Chatterjee has passed away, today at the age of 93. The legendary director made films such as Choti Si Baat, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, Chitchor and Chameli Ki Shaadi. His films were often lighthearted and depicted stories of middle-class families.
Basu, along with Basu Bhattacharya whom he assisted in Teesri Kasam and Hrishikesh Mukherjee, made middle-of-the-road cinema popular amongst the 70s audience. Their films were different and more realistic from the angry young man films, popular in that era.
Sharing the news of his demise, Filmmaker and Filmmaker and Indian Film & TV Directors’ Association president Ashoke Pandit, Tweeted:
https://twitter.com/ashokepandit/status/1268455775594180608?s=19
A frequent collaborator with actor Amol Palekar, Basu made popular films with him such as Chitchor, Rajnigandha, Choti Si baat and others. Several other stars such as Amitabh Bacchan, Dev Anand and Mithun Chakraborty also worked with him. He presented each actor in a never before seen avatar.
His stint as a TV show director, also turned out tobe fruitful, with his two directed shows Byomkesh Bakshi and Rajani becoming massively popular amongst the audience back then. Byomkesh Bakshi was recently premiered again on TV.
Basu’s career achieved great heights in, 1992 when he received the National Film Award for Best Film on Family Welfare. Durga was the film which fetched him this award.
Celebrities are mourning his death on Twitter and his work will be fondly remembered by the audience.