Basu Chatterjee - a legend filmmaker and Simple story teller : End of an era

In the passing away of filmmaker Basu Chatterjee, it is truly the end of an era.

His films reflected the lives of middle India, says iconic Amitabh Bachchan, who had acted in 'Manzil' against co-star Mousumi Chatterjee. 

A BBC report has described Chatterjee, who expired at the ripe age of 93 on June 4, 2020, as the "oldest chronicler of Indian middle-class anxieties". Coming to the time factor and middle class anxiety, one wonders, how he would have handled a plot of Coronavirus pandemic crisis and Lockdown and the death of a celebrity!

My homage !

Director in TV series

1985 Rajani
1985 Darpan
1986 Ek Ruka Hua Faisla DD National (TV film)

1988 Kakaji Kahin DD National

1990-91 Bheem Bhavani DD National

1993 & 1997 Byomkesh Bakshi DD National 2 seasons 34 episodes

2005 Ek Prem Katha DD National 26 episodes


In fact, Chatterjee's characters were mostly known too-well 'people next door' variety. They were people who we meet in everyday life and till his films were made, they were hardly seen on the silver screen.

The character portrayed by Om Puri in serial 'Kakaji Kahin' - a satire - exposed the double standards of polity in world's largest democracy and how power brokers thrive! One just had to look around ! 

Om Puri in serial 'Kakaji Kahin' 

Basu Chatterjee's film 'Swami' in 1977 was a romantic drama based on Bengali novelist's Sarat Chandra's story and had stars like Shabana Azmi, Vikram and Girish Karnad.

The portrayal of Shabana was near classic and true to the spirit of the original story as Sarat Chandra is pretty well known for creating unique and hitherto unexplored versions of women protagonists.

If 'Swami' dealt with the trials and tribulations of a new bride in a joint family where her husband is not liked much; in yet another film 'Apne Paraye' based on Sarat Chandra's story again 'Nishkriti'- Chatterjee handled the plot of power play of housewives and sisters-in-law too well.

Amol Palekar was one of Basu Chatterjee's favourites who had acted in 'Apne Paraye' and also in films like 'Baton Baton Mein'.

As the title suggests - the story in this film could have been any Mumbaikar's story.  'Baton Baton Mein' means (By the way) is a 1979 film which also had Tina Munim and legendary oldie David.

Basu Chatterjee also ensured a number of good songs in his films - which leave listeners enchanted for hours even these days. Such a song was in the film 'Piya Ka Ghar' --- song - "yeh jeevan hae (This is life)".

Featuring Jaya Bachchan (then Bhaduri), the film is also a tribute to Mumbai spirit of middle class people who despite 'congestion' try to overcome the difficulties of one another. Finally, the newly married-couple finds the privacy they were seeking.

'Baton Baton Mein' also had a few lovely songs and so did films like 'Chitsor'.

In 'Manzil' the song 'Rim jhim gire saawan' was equally enchanting and therefore it is notwithout good reason that Amitabh Bachchan tweets...".. in these climes (climatic conditions) often remembered for 'rim jhim gire saawan'.

The song is also a tribute to Mumbai monsoon - a unique experience of getting drenched in downpour and something never understood in other Indian cities like Delhi.

In fact, through the 1970s and 1980s, Basu Chatterjee became associated with what came to be known as 'middle-of-the-road' cinema along with compatriots such as another celebrated filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee.


He also directed the 'Ek Ruka Hua Faisla', a Hindi adaptation of 'Twelve Angry Men' - a 1957 film wherein the protagonists deliberate the conviction or acquittal of an 18-year old defendant and the difficulties encountered in the process of arriving at a consensus.


Prime Minister Narendra Modi has condoled the death of the fantastic film maker with his tweet:"Sad to hear of the demise of Shri Basu Chatterjee. His works are brilliant and sensitive. It touched people's hearts and represented the simple and complex emotions, as well as struggles of people. Condolences to his family and innumerable fans. Om Shanti."

Among the old timers another film that would be well remembered is 'Shaukeen'.

Starring Utpal Dutt, Ashok Kumar and A K Hangal, the movie was based on the 1962 American movie 'Boys' Night Out' and had a mesmerizing number 'Jab Bhi Koi Kangna boley....' composed by R D Burman.

All the three old men display one weakness - preference for Women. Thus, they venture out on a vacation in order to enjoy the last years of their life. They end up encountering Rati Agnihotri and try to get lucky with her but the climax is comical as they all have respect for Indian traditions and do not want to do something against the well established values.

Ashok Kumar getting nervous just thinking that his wife will catch him 'red handed' offers quite a few unforgettable scenes.


When I say 'end of an era' in Basu Chatterjee's death, it is worth mentioning that some of these film makers were truly genius in the depths of grief and middle class complexities.


Well, one would also remember other filmmakers of that era and before - like - Guru Dutt, Ritwik Ghatak and Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

Some were like painters and poets of pathos. The protagonists in their films would rebel when oppressed at times, but would also surrender when it came to the melancholic business of heart.