National award-winning Bengali filmmaker Utpalendu Chakrabarty dies at 76
Kolkata/IBNS: National award-winning filmmaker and theater personality Utpalendu Chakrabarty died on Tuesday at his home in Kolkata. He was 78.
Father of Bengali film actress Ritabhari Chakrabarty and ex-husband of director-activist Satarupa Sanyal, Utpalendu Chakrabarty was famous for his contributions to arthouse films like 'Chokh' in the 80s .
His long-time associate Argya Mukhopadhyay told Anandabazar Online that the noted filmmaker had his usual evening tea and suddenly felt sick. Doctors said Chakrabarty suffered heart failure.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressed grief over the demise of Chakrabarty.
"Sad at the demise of eminent Film Director Utpalendu Chakrabarty. His films were critically acclaimed and received distinguished awards. His demise will create void in our film industry. My condolences to his family and friends," she posted on X.
Sad at the demise of eminent Film Director Utpalendu Chakrabarty.
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) August 20, 2024
His films were critically acclaimed and received distinguished awards. His demise will create void in our film industry.
My condolences to his family and friends.
While studying at the Scottish Church College, under the University of Calcutta, Chakrabarty was involved in student politics and spent time in Purulia among the tribals.
Although he started as a teacher, his passion was cinema. He made several documentaries and films.
His most noted film was 'Chokh' (The Eyes) in 1983 starring Om Puri, Anil Chatterjee, Shyamanand Jalan, and Sreela Majumdar in lead roles.
The film was set in 1975 about the oppression and exploitation of Jute mill workers in Kolkata.
At the 30th National Film Awards, the Chokh won the Best Feature Film prize as well as the honor for Best Direction.
His other feature films included 'Prasab', 'Chandaneer', 'Phaansi', 'Debshishu', and 'Maina Tadanta'.
Chakrabarty also made several documentaries like The Music of Satyajit Ray in 1984, Debabrata Biswas in 1983, Mukti Chai in 1977, and Sunilo Sagore (On The Life of Sunil Gangopadhyay).
Chakrabarty married Indrani Chakrabarty and later got divorced.
He then married director-activist Satarupa Sanyal and was separated in 2000. His daughters Chitrangada Satarupa and Ritabhari Chakrabarty revealed that they had no connection with their biological father.
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