14 Of Basu Chatterjee's Greatest Works
- 1/15
The Best of Basu Chatterjee
Remembering the iconic, middle-cinema maven, who passed away at age 93, we look at his most memorable works. - 2/15
Sara Akash (1969)
The year 1969 marked the beginning of New Wave Cinema, and Basu Chatterjee debuted with the strikingly distinct Sara Akash featuring Rakesh Pandey and Madhu Chakravarty. Based on the first part of Rajendra Yadav's eponymous novel, the film is a tender tale of a newly married couple that struggles to build a rapport. - 3/15
Piya Ka Ghar (1972)
In his sophomore venture too, Chatterjee focused on the dynamics of newly-weds. Piya Ka Ghar explores the predicament of a just married couple unable to find privacy in a crammed Mumbai chawl house that they share with the groom's whole family. Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 4/15
Rajnigandha (1974)
Inspired by Mannu Bhandari's short story Yahi Sach Hai, Rajnigandha spoke about the dilemma of a young woman struggling with her feelings for the man she loves and is about to get married to, and an old love. With its lilting music, delightful performances, and relatable aesthetics, the film became a middle-cinema classic for the ages. - 5/15
Chhoti Si Baat (1976)
A timid accountant who needed a little luck and training to impress the girl of his dreams. Another ace by Chatterjee that keeps earning new legions of fans. - 6/15
Chitchor (1976)
Mellifluous music, a winsome star cast, and Basu Da's charming storytelling -- Rajshri Productions' timeless outing became an instant hit. Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 7/15
Swami (1977)
A headstrong, well-read girl discovering life with a husband who she feels is completely incompatible with her. The film is particularly remembered for Yesudas' soothing melody, Kaa Karoon Sajni. - 8/15
Khatta Meetha (1978)
A bona fide family favourite, Khatta Meetha is a delightful story of a middle-aged Parsi widower and widow, both with grown-up kids, remarrying and running a big, boisterous unit that's constantly at loggerheads. - 9/15
Baton Baton Mein (1979)
"Suniye? Kahiye? Kehte sunte... baton baton mein pyaar ho jaayega." In Basu Da's world it really is that simple. Give it up for Nancy and Tony. Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 10/15
Shaukeen (1982)
An impish comedy where three amorous oldies compete for the attention of a lovely young girl they meet on a vacation. - 11/15
Rajani (1985) - TV Series
Through the story of a middle-class Indian woman, Rajani, who takes up consumer grievances and takes on corrupt officials, Basu Da gave India its first citizen activist. And there was of course the famous Rajani bindi. - 12/15
Chameli KI Shaadi (1986)
Amrita Singh and Anil Kapoor star in this uproarious comedy about two lovers who must overcome family opposition to be together. Yahoo News is better in the app
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- 13/15
Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986)
It's nearly impossible to match the intensity and the impact of the Hollywood classic 12 Angry Men, but Basu Chatterjee manages to create an equally compelling retelling of the courtroom drama with a bevy of brilliant actors and seamlessly transferring the narrative to the Indian milieu. - 14/15
Kakaji Kahin (1988) - TV Series
Known for his stark portrayals in parallel cinema like Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, and Paar, Om Puri turned into a loud, wily politician in this political satire written by Doordarshan's veteran writer Manohar Shyam Joshi. - 15/15
Byomkesh Bakshi (1993) - TV Series
Basu da brings Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay's famed detective to life in this massively popular television series which first aired in the Nineties, and has since had several reruns and attained iconic status among Indian viewers.
Legendary filmmaker Basu Chatterjee known for breezy, slice-of-life films like Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si Baat (1976), Khatta Meetha (1978) and Baton Baton Mein (1979) among others, passed away on Thursday (4 June) in Mumbai. He was 93 and was suffering from age-related illness.
Remembering the iconic, middle-cinema maven, we look at his most memorable works.