14 Of Basu Chatterjee's Greatest Works

  • Remembering the iconic, middle-cinema maven, who passed away at age 93, we look at his most memorable works.
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    The Best of Basu Chatterjee

    Remembering the iconic, middle-cinema maven, who passed away at age 93, we look at his most memorable works.
  • The year 1969 marked the beginning of New Wave Cinema, and Basu Chatterjee debuted with the strikingly distinct <em>Sara Akash</em> 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.
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    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.
  • In his sophomore venture too, Chatterjee focused on the dynamics of newly-weds. <em>Piya Ka Ghar</em> 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.
    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.
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  • Inspired by Mannu Bhandari's short story <em>Yahi Sach Hai</em>, <em>Rajnigandha</em> 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.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • Mellifluous music, a winsome star cast, and Basu Da's charming storytelling -- Rajshri Productions' timeless outing became an instant hit.
    6/15

    Chitchor (1976)

    Mellifluous music, a winsome star cast, and Basu Da's charming storytelling -- Rajshri Productions' timeless outing became an instant hit.
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • 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.
    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.
  • A bona fide family favourite, <em>Khatta Meetha</em> 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.
    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.
  • "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.
    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.
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • An impish comedy where three amorous oldies compete for the attention of a lovely young girl they meet on a vacation.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
  • Amrita Singh and Anil Kapoor star in this uproarious comedy about two lovers who must overcome family opposition to be together.
    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.
  • Keep up to speed at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

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  • It's nearly impossible to match the intensity and the impact of the Hollywood classic <em>12 Angry Men</em>, 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.
    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.
  • Known for his stark portrayals in parallel cinema like <em>Ardh Satya, Aakrosh</em>, and<em> Paar</em>, Om Puri turned into a loud, wily politician in this political satire written by Doordarshan's veteran writer Manohar Shyam Joshi.
    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.
  • 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.
    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.
Remembering the iconic, middle-cinema maven, who passed away at age 93, we look at his most memorable works.
The year 1969 marked the beginning of New Wave Cinema, and Basu Chatterjee debuted with the strikingly distinct <em>Sara Akash</em> 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.
In his sophomore venture too, Chatterjee focused on the dynamics of newly-weds. <em>Piya Ka Ghar</em> 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.
Inspired by Mannu Bhandari's short story <em>Yahi Sach Hai</em>, <em>Rajnigandha</em> 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.
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.
Mellifluous music, a winsome star cast, and Basu Da's charming storytelling -- Rajshri Productions' timeless outing became an instant hit.
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.
A bona fide family favourite, <em>Khatta Meetha</em> 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.
"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.
An impish comedy where three amorous oldies compete for the attention of a lovely young girl they meet on a vacation.
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.
Amrita Singh and Anil Kapoor star in this uproarious comedy about two lovers who must overcome family opposition to be together.
It's nearly impossible to match the intensity and the impact of the Hollywood classic <em>12 Angry Men</em>, 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.
Known for his stark portrayals in parallel cinema like <em>Ardh Satya, Aakrosh</em>, and<em> Paar</em>, Om Puri turned into a loud, wily politician in this political satire written by Doordarshan's veteran writer Manohar Shyam Joshi.
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.
Pragyan Mohanty

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.

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