Tapan Sinha
Encyclopedia
Tapan Sinha (2 October 1924 – 15 January 2009) was a India
n film director
. He was arguably the most uncompromising filmmaker outside the orbit of Parallel Cinema
.
, [West Bengal]. He studied physics at the University of Patna
and later earned an MSc at the University of Calcutta
.
He married India
n actress Arundhati Devi
. Their son is Indian scientist Professor, Anindya Sinha
. On 15 January 2009, he died of pneumonia
and septicaemia.
Though he was primarily based in the Bengali film industry, Sinha also made films in different languages like Hindi
and Oriya
.
His films have also won laurels in International Film Festivals of Berlin
, Venice
, London
, Moscow
, San Francisco, Locarno
, Cork Festival in Ireland
, Kampuchea and Seoul
. He has also served as a member of the jury in film festivals at Tashkent
and San Francisco among others.
Charles Dickens
's novel, A Tale of Two Cities
and the cinematic adaptation featuring Ronald Colman inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.
In his youth, Sinha was greatly influenced by contemporary American and British Cinema. Among his favorite directors were John Ford, Carol Reed, and Billy Wilder. He used to think that he had to make films on the lines of his favorites. Rabindranath Tagore's work had been a great source of inspiration to him as well. Different Tagore works had special significance to him in various moments of his life. No individual has ever influenced him on a personal level. But his strong and profound belief in God has been a constant source of inspiration.
Sinha's first film, Ankush, is based on the Narayan Ganguly story Sainik, which had an elephant as the central character. His next Uphaar featured Uttam Kumar, Manju Dey and others. His Aadhar Periye featured Madhabi Mukherjee, Subhendu Chaterji, Sumitra Mukherjee, Anil Chaterji, Nirmal Kumar, Subrota Chaterji, Bikash Roy, Kalyan Chaterji, Chinmoy Roy and others. It was is based on a story by Chittaranjan Maity. Sinha's Hatey Bazare is based on an autobiographical story by Banophool. Ashok Kumar and Vyjantimala Bali are the central performers.
Sinha's Ek Je Chilo Desh is a fantasy film, based on a story by Sankar. It concerns a mad scientist who discovers a drug that can reveal an individual's dishonest past. Evil traders and politicians whose lives are endangered by these discoveries conspire to kill the scientist. The cast features Dipankar De, Sumitra Mukherji, Kali Banerji, Anil Chaterji and others.
Sinha's Louho Kopat is based on the story of the Bengali writer Jorasanho. The film stars Kamal Mitra, Nirmal Kumar as the jailer and Anil Chaterji in a character role. Sabuj Deeper Raja is a children's film, shot in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is based on a story by Sunil Ganguly. Sinha's Hansuli Banker Upakatha is based on a story by Tara Shankar Banerji and stars Lily Chakravorty.
Kabuliwallah is based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore. Kabullliwallah (Chabi Biswas) who is dreaded by children turns out to love children. The actors include Radhamohan Bhattacharji, Kali Banerji and Manju De. Tinku Thakur plays the role of the small girl in the film, and Jiban Bose has a role as well as a jailer, who has good faith in the Kabulliwallah. Rabindrasangeet Khoro Bayu Boy Bege Chari Dik Chaye Meghe is used in the film. The film portrays Sinha's personality, a child at heart. The same trait is reflected in films like Galpo Hollo Satti, Harm and Safed Hathi.
Kabulliwallah (1956) was subsequently remade in Hindi by Bimal Roy and directed by Heman Gupta, featuring Balraj Sahani. Oerdellin was cast as the child lead. The film won the Music Award and the Silver Bear at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival
.
Sinha made a few documentaries, including a biographical film on scientist Jagadish Bose. He also used Rabindrasangeet in other films. The Rabindrasangeet Keno Choker Jole Bijeye Dile Na, Sukhno Dulo Joto is used in his film Ekhoni. The film featured Swaroop Dutta, Aparna Sen, Moushumi Chaterji, Nirmal Kumar, Chinmoy Roy, Padda Devi, Subhendu Chaterji, N.Vishwanathan and others. The film was based on a novel by Ramapada Choudhury.
Khoniker Atithe features Nirmal Kumar, Ruma Guha Thakurta
, Anil Chaterji, Tulsi Lahiri, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee and others. The film is based on a story of Tagore.
Sinha's Arohi features actors like Kali Banerji, Bikash Roy, Sipra and Bhanu Banerji. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as Arjun Pandit.Arohi was based on a story by Banophool. Safed Hathi, a children's film made in Hindi, features Shatrughan Sinha and Mala Jaggi, and also stars Gayatri. Kalyan Chaterji essayed a cameo role as a postman. The story was written by Sinha himself.
Sinha's Zindagi Zindagi is a Hindi film with Sunil Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. It fared badly, possibly because the narration was too subtle for Hindi audiences.. Atithe may be based on the life of Rabindranath Tagore and featured Partha Mukherjee, Smita Sinha and Ajitesh Banerji. Tonsil is a comedy film, in which Madhabi Mukherjee made her debut.
His Jhinder Bandi (a desi Prisoner of Zenda) is based on a story by Saradindu Banerji, the well-known crime writer from Bengali. Actors include Uttam Kumar, Sandhya Roy, Soumitro Chaterji, Radhamohan Bhattacharji, Tarun Kumar, Dilip Roy and Arundhuti Mukherji. The first film in which Uttam and Soumitra starred together was Sinha's Jhinder Bandi in which Soumitra was, for the first time, cast as the villain. He had worked in barely a handful of films until then, aside from starting off as the struggling Apu buffeted by waves of tragedy. The film was a success, and yet did not typecast Soumitra with the permanent mark of a villain, as it might have been apt to do with other actors.
Sinha's Sagina Mahato might be categorized as a political film, although human drama and relationship lie at the heart of this magnum opus. Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu play the central characters. Anil Chaterji also has a supporting role. The Hindi version of the film, named "Sagina", also stars Dilp Kumar as the central character.
Sinha's Kalamati was the first film to deal with life in creches in coalmine areas. Made in 1957, it was much ahead of its time. Anil Chaterji has a role in the film. Raja stars Debraj Ray, Samit Bhanja, Arati Bhattacharji, Mahua Roy Choudhury, Anil Chaterji, Santu Mukherji and others.
Apanjan is a story of unemployed youths, starring Swaroop Dutta and Samit Bhanja. This early film focuses on a movement similar to Naxalism in later days. Apanjan was remade in Hindi by Gulzar as Mere Apne. The film also features Chaya Devi, Rabi Ghosh, Bhanu Banerji, Kalyan Chaterji, Partha Mukherjee, Nirmal Kumar and others.
'Aaj Ka Robinhood, a children's film funded partly by the government and a producer, Jalan, has been screened at twelve International Film Festivals, including Tashkent, Berlin, and Sofia. The film has a running time of 80 minutes. Dubbed in English, it has the English title Return of Robin Hood. In this 1987 film, Sinha returned to the world of children and filmed in Hindi.
Nirjan Saikate has performers like Anil Chaterji, Sharmila Tagore, Chaya Devi, Ruma Guha Thakurta
, Bharati, Renuka, Robi Ghosh, Pahari Sanyal, Nabadip Haldar and Jahar Ganguly. It is the story of five widows, was based on a story by Kalkut (pen-name of Samaresh Basu). In an interview, Tapan Sinha said "He believes that widows have a right to get married. Great social reformers like Vidyasagar and Vivekananda strove ceaselessly to bring about this practice." Harmonium features Durgadas Banerji, Anil Chaterji, Satya Banerji, Arati Bhattacharji, Swaroop Dutta, Kali Banerji, Samit Bhanja, and Chaya Devi.
Bancharamer Bagan includes a performance by Manoj Mitra as an old gardener. Chaplinesque in its approach, the film depicts the tragedy of a small man in this big world. In Khudito Pasan, Dilip Roy gives a performance as a moghul king. This film, based on a story by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, also stars Soumitra Chaterji.
Sinha's Jatugriho (Uttam and Arundhuti Devi) is a fascinating film drawn from everyday life, specifically what happens when two individuals (Uttam & Arundhuti) meet, quite unexpectedly, on a train, after a long gap in which they have not seen one another. The subject of marital discord has rarely been dealt with more finesse in Indian films.
Golpo Holo Satti is a satirical film on how a heaven-sent servant (played by Robi Ghosh) brings order and peace to a quarreling disorganised family. Bhanu Banerji and some lesser-known actors (with the exceptions of Bharati and Chaya Devi) comprise the cast. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as Bawarchi, with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role.
Atanka is based on a true story about a teacher who witnessed a murder, and his subsequent harassment and torture and harassment by the group of hoodlums who committed the crime. Soumitro, Satabdi and Prasenjit are the central performers, along with Nirmal Kumar and Manoj Mitra. Nimu Bhowmick and Bhishnu Guha Thakurtha play the villains. Anil Chaterji has a role as one of the teacher's wellwishers.
Aadmi Aur Aurat is based on a story by Prafulla Roy. Amol Palekar and Mahua Roy Choudhury act in this piece. Sinha's telefilm Aadmi Aur Aurat was remade in Bengali as Manush (starring Samit Bhanja and Devika Mukherjee) by the director himself. Sinha made another telefilm Didi with Deepti Naval as the central character.
Sinha's Ek Doctor Ki Maut was based on "Abhimanyu," a story by Ramapada Choudhury. Ek Doctor Ki Maut has Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Kapoor, Irfan Khan and Anil Chaterji in the cast. In Ek Doctor Ki Maut there is a touch reminiscent of Ibsen. Dipankar Roy invents a vaccine for leprosy, but the entire community turns against him. In this work, Sinha examines the way society responds to talent. "I based this story on the suicide of a young scientist in Delhi" said the director. Vijeyandra Ghatge, Vasant Choudhury and Deepa Sahi have cameos in the film. "Talent is subject to ridicule. The more you excel the more number of enemies you seem to have: Why this animosity towards Excellence?" Ek Doctor Ki Maut won the Rajat Kamal for the second best feature film of the year, besides earning Sinha the Best Director Award.
Sinha's Wheelchair has a cast of Soumitro Chaterji, Laboni Sarkar, Arjun Chakravorty and Ruma Guha Thakurta
. Sarkar gives a performance as a handicapped character who uses a wheelchair. The film was based on a story by the director himself, although it was inspired by the life of a crusading doctor. Wheelchair is about a young woman who is molested late one evening in jer office. While fighting off the three men, she sustains injuries and is bedridden for a while. She is fortunate enough, however, to receive proper medical care and also emotional support, and in the end, she can look forward to a better life.
Adalat O Ekti Mey (Bengali/1981) features Tanuja, Biplab Chaterji and Manoj Mitra. The film departs from Sinha's usual style. Urmila (Tanuja), a young teacher on a holiday, is raped by a gang of wealthy young men. The culprits are arrested, but Urmila is shunned by her friends, fiancé and even parents. She is an outcast like Dr. Roy in Ek Doctor Ki Maut. The difference is that while Urmila is ostracized through no fault of her own, Roy faces social wrath because of his talent.
Sinha's Antardhaan stars Soumitro Chaterji, Madhabi, Manoj Mitra, Sabyasachi Chakravorty, Satabdi Roy, Riku Dutta, Bhisma Guha Thakurtha, Ramen Roy Choudhury, Nirmal Chakravorty, and Arjun Chakravorty. It deals with the disappearance of a girl and her lover and is based on a story by Dibyendu Palit. Sinha feels that some fictionalization of a real-life incident, or even a newspaper report from which the source of the original story is supposed to be derived, is necessary for cinematic dramatization. Riku Dutta, a newcomer to films who is regularly seen in television serials, was excited to act in this film of Sinha who, she says, is the mentor of many new artistes.
In the series of films that Sinha made in the last eight years of his life, a trusting and idealistic man, assailed by unfortunate circumstances or hostile and scheming persons, stands out as an example of indomitable individualism. "I have always believed in individual courage and effort. I think, collective system or life hardly allows an individual to discover the infinite strength within him. I like the individual who has the courage to face any untoward situation, which is why I have shown an individual as a relentless fighter against all hazards in Aadmi Aur Aurat, Atanka and Ek Doctor Ki Maut. My protagonists in these films have practically done miracles by their own strength and self-confidence. In Antardhaan also, the Professor takes up the job of finding out his missing daughter. He depends only on himself and on none else, sais the Director.
Boiduryo Rahasya was a detective film. Manoj Mitra, Bhishma Guha Thakurtha, Tapas Pal, Alpana Goswami, Moonmoon Sen and Premansu Bose with Basant Choudhury form the cast. Sinha presented five hit films in succession: Kshudita Pasan, Kabuliwallah, Hatey Bazare, Apanjan and Ekhani. This created a record that is thus far unsurpassed
Sinha shifted his attention to the small screen for the first time in 1996. He made a film called Daughter of the Century with Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bhaduri, Deepa Sahi, and Sulabha Deshpande in the central roles. The film is based on a Tagore story, and also incorporates stories of other notable Bengali writers like Sarat Chandra Chaterji, Tarashankar Banerji, Gour Kishore Ghosh
, Dibyendu Palit. Six actress each play a central role in the stories of six renowned writers. The director wanted to convey the message that in spite of tremendous scientific advancements, attitudes towards women have not changed much. One episode, Charu, is based on the short story Ei Daho by Gour Kishore Ghosh.
Raja Sen's documentary on Tapan Sinha is entitled Filmmaker for Freedom. Sinha made a detective TV serial Hutumer Naksa, casting Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Dhiman Chakravorty, Robi Ghosh and others.
Sinha's wife, filmmaker Arundhuti Devi, died in 1990.
Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha is based on a novelette by eminent Bengali writer Shirsendu Mukhopadhay. This film, in Sinha's own words "is a semi-fantasy designed for all, including children." Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha "is a strange story of a strange village." The message is, it is necessary to have a community drive to get anything done in today's society. "We must not look at the Government for everything," says the Director. "In the west and also in the far east, there is a system of community initiatives. I believe, we should have this same kind of approach too." He adds, "According to this story, a person has to prepare himself to confront any adversary." The cast of Aajab Gayer includes Debasree Roy starring as a light-hearted village girl. "Debasree has not done such a role before and I found her absolutely suitable for it," said the director. She is the only female character in the film, which also brought a new face, Debesh Roy Choudhury, to the big screen. His role requires him to do a lot of "physical labor, including sprinting." The rest of the cast includes Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Nirmal Kumar, and Bibhas Chakravorty. Ten days of shooting were done at Falta, on the banks of the Ganga, starting on 7 December 1997. The following month, some shots were taken in a village house.
Sinha's final venture, the children's filme Anokha Moti, was incomplete. The film features Arjun Chakravorty, and is being made in Hindi.
in various categories.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
. He was arguably the most uncompromising filmmaker outside the orbit of Parallel Cinema
Parallel Cinema
The Indian New Wave, commonly known in India as Art Cinema or Parallel Cinema as an alternative to the mainstream commercial cinema, is a specific movement in Indian cinema, known for its serious content, realism and naturalism, with a keen eye on the sociopolitical climate of the times...
.
Personal life and background
Sinha was born in KolkataKolkata
Kolkata , formerly known as Calcutta, is the capital of the Indian state of West Bengal. Located on the east bank of the Hooghly River, it was the commercial capital of East India...
, [West Bengal]. He studied physics at the University of Patna
University of Patna
The Patna University, Hindi: पटना विश्वविद्यालय, the first university in Bihar, was established in 1917 during the British Raj, and is the seventh oldest university of the Indian subcontinent. At that time, the jurisdiction of the university extended to Bihar, Orissa, and the Kingdom of Nepal...
and later earned an MSc at the University of Calcutta
University of Calcutta
The University of Calcutta is a public university located in the city of Kolkata , India, founded on 24 January 1857...
.
He married India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n actress Arundhati Devi
Arundhati Devi
Arundhati Devi was an Indian actress, film director and writer. She was also known as Arundhati Debi, as Arundhati Mukherjee and as Arundhati Mukhopadhyay.-Personal life:...
. Their son is Indian scientist Professor, Anindya Sinha
Anindya Sinha
Anindya Sinha is an Indian primatologist. He is currently a professor at the National Institute of Advanced Studies , India.-Early life:...
. On 15 January 2009, he died of pneumonia
Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
and septicaemia.
Career
Tapan Sinha went to London in 1950s to learn film-making. On reaching London, he contacted CryHearsth, Manager of Pinewood Studios. Through his help, he managed to obtain his first assignment. He got to work in director Charles Cryton's unit as a Sound Engineer. Cryton, who made some British comedies like Lavender Hill Mob etc. was then working for a film called The Hunted.Though he was primarily based in the Bengali film industry, Sinha also made films in different languages like Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
and Oriya
Oriya language
Oriya , officially Odia from November, 2011, is an Indian language, belonging to the Indo-Aryan branch of the Indo-European language family. It is mainly spoken in the Indian states of Orissa and West Bengal...
.
His films have also won laurels in International Film Festivals of Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, Venice
Venice
Venice is a city in northern Italy which is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. It is the capital of the Veneto region...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, San Francisco, Locarno
Locarno
Locarno is the capital of the Locarno district, located on the northern tip of Lake Maggiore in the Swiss canton of Ticino, close to Ascona at the foot of the Alps. It has a population of about 15,000...
, Cork Festival in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
, Kampuchea and Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. He has also served as a member of the jury in film festivals at Tashkent
Tashkent
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and of the Tashkent Province. The officially registered population of the city in 2008 was about 2.2 million. Unofficial sources estimate the actual population may be as much as 4.45 million.-Early Islamic History:...
and San Francisco among others.
Charles Dickens
Charles Dickens
Charles John Huffam Dickens was an English novelist, generally considered the greatest of the Victorian period. Dickens enjoyed a wider popularity and fame than had any previous author during his lifetime, and he remains popular, having been responsible for some of English literature's most iconic...
's novel, A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities
A Tale of Two Cities is a novel by Charles Dickens, set in London and Paris before and during the French Revolution. With well over 200 million copies sold, it ranks among the most famous works in the history of fictional literature....
and the cinematic adaptation featuring Ronald Colman inspired Sinha to get involved in film-making. Sinha started as a sound recording engineer and gradually shifted to directing.
In his youth, Sinha was greatly influenced by contemporary American and British Cinema. Among his favorite directors were John Ford, Carol Reed, and Billy Wilder. He used to think that he had to make films on the lines of his favorites. Rabindranath Tagore's work had been a great source of inspiration to him as well. Different Tagore works had special significance to him in various moments of his life. No individual has ever influenced him on a personal level. But his strong and profound belief in God has been a constant source of inspiration.
Sinha's first film, Ankush, is based on the Narayan Ganguly story Sainik, which had an elephant as the central character. His next Uphaar featured Uttam Kumar, Manju Dey and others. His Aadhar Periye featured Madhabi Mukherjee, Subhendu Chaterji, Sumitra Mukherjee, Anil Chaterji, Nirmal Kumar, Subrota Chaterji, Bikash Roy, Kalyan Chaterji, Chinmoy Roy and others. It was is based on a story by Chittaranjan Maity. Sinha's Hatey Bazare is based on an autobiographical story by Banophool. Ashok Kumar and Vyjantimala Bali are the central performers.
Sinha's Ek Je Chilo Desh is a fantasy film, based on a story by Sankar. It concerns a mad scientist who discovers a drug that can reveal an individual's dishonest past. Evil traders and politicians whose lives are endangered by these discoveries conspire to kill the scientist. The cast features Dipankar De, Sumitra Mukherji, Kali Banerji, Anil Chaterji and others.
Sinha's Louho Kopat is based on the story of the Bengali writer Jorasanho. The film stars Kamal Mitra, Nirmal Kumar as the jailer and Anil Chaterji in a character role. Sabuj Deeper Raja is a children's film, shot in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is based on a story by Sunil Ganguly. Sinha's Hansuli Banker Upakatha is based on a story by Tara Shankar Banerji and stars Lily Chakravorty.
Kabuliwallah is based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore. Kabullliwallah (Chabi Biswas) who is dreaded by children turns out to love children. The actors include Radhamohan Bhattacharji, Kali Banerji and Manju De. Tinku Thakur plays the role of the small girl in the film, and Jiban Bose has a role as well as a jailer, who has good faith in the Kabulliwallah. Rabindrasangeet Khoro Bayu Boy Bege Chari Dik Chaye Meghe is used in the film. The film portrays Sinha's personality, a child at heart. The same trait is reflected in films like Galpo Hollo Satti, Harm and Safed Hathi.
Kabulliwallah (1956) was subsequently remade in Hindi by Bimal Roy and directed by Heman Gupta, featuring Balraj Sahani. Oerdellin was cast as the child lead. The film won the Music Award and the Silver Bear at the 7th Berlin International Film Festival
7th Berlin International Film Festival
The 7th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 21 to July 2, 1957.-Jury:* Jay Carmody * Jean de Baroncelli* John Sutro* Dalpathal Kothari* Fernaldo Di Giammatteo* Bunzaburo Hayashi* Miguel Alemán hijo...
.
Sinha made a few documentaries, including a biographical film on scientist Jagadish Bose. He also used Rabindrasangeet in other films. The Rabindrasangeet Keno Choker Jole Bijeye Dile Na, Sukhno Dulo Joto is used in his film Ekhoni. The film featured Swaroop Dutta, Aparna Sen, Moushumi Chaterji, Nirmal Kumar, Chinmoy Roy, Padda Devi, Subhendu Chaterji, N.Vishwanathan and others. The film was based on a novel by Ramapada Choudhury.
Khoniker Atithe features Nirmal Kumar, Ruma Guha Thakurta
Ruma Guha Thakurta
-Early life:She was born in 1934 as Ruma Ghosh. She hails from a Brahmo Bengali family. Her father was Satyen Ghosh and her mother was Sati Devi, a singer. Sati Devi's younger sister Bijoya married film director Satyajit Ray. Thakurta had her formal education in many places including Santiniketan...
, Anil Chaterji, Tulsi Lahiri, Radhamohan Bhattacharjee and others. The film is based on a story of Tagore.
Sinha's Arohi features actors like Kali Banerji, Bikash Roy, Sipra and Bhanu Banerji. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as Arjun Pandit.Arohi was based on a story by Banophool. Safed Hathi, a children's film made in Hindi, features Shatrughan Sinha and Mala Jaggi, and also stars Gayatri. Kalyan Chaterji essayed a cameo role as a postman. The story was written by Sinha himself.
Sinha's Zindagi Zindagi is a Hindi film with Sunil Dutt and Waheeda Rehman. It fared badly, possibly because the narration was too subtle for Hindi audiences.. Atithe may be based on the life of Rabindranath Tagore and featured Partha Mukherjee, Smita Sinha and Ajitesh Banerji. Tonsil is a comedy film, in which Madhabi Mukherjee made her debut.
His Jhinder Bandi (a desi Prisoner of Zenda) is based on a story by Saradindu Banerji, the well-known crime writer from Bengali. Actors include Uttam Kumar, Sandhya Roy, Soumitro Chaterji, Radhamohan Bhattacharji, Tarun Kumar, Dilip Roy and Arundhuti Mukherji. The first film in which Uttam and Soumitra starred together was Sinha's Jhinder Bandi in which Soumitra was, for the first time, cast as the villain. He had worked in barely a handful of films until then, aside from starting off as the struggling Apu buffeted by waves of tragedy. The film was a success, and yet did not typecast Soumitra with the permanent mark of a villain, as it might have been apt to do with other actors.
Sinha's Sagina Mahato might be categorized as a political film, although human drama and relationship lie at the heart of this magnum opus. Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu play the central characters. Anil Chaterji also has a supporting role. The Hindi version of the film, named "Sagina", also stars Dilp Kumar as the central character.
Sinha's Kalamati was the first film to deal with life in creches in coalmine areas. Made in 1957, it was much ahead of its time. Anil Chaterji has a role in the film. Raja stars Debraj Ray, Samit Bhanja, Arati Bhattacharji, Mahua Roy Choudhury, Anil Chaterji, Santu Mukherji and others.
Apanjan is a story of unemployed youths, starring Swaroop Dutta and Samit Bhanja. This early film focuses on a movement similar to Naxalism in later days. Apanjan was remade in Hindi by Gulzar as Mere Apne. The film also features Chaya Devi, Rabi Ghosh, Bhanu Banerji, Kalyan Chaterji, Partha Mukherjee, Nirmal Kumar and others.
'Aaj Ka Robinhood, a children's film funded partly by the government and a producer, Jalan, has been screened at twelve International Film Festivals, including Tashkent, Berlin, and Sofia. The film has a running time of 80 minutes. Dubbed in English, it has the English title Return of Robin Hood. In this 1987 film, Sinha returned to the world of children and filmed in Hindi.
Nirjan Saikate has performers like Anil Chaterji, Sharmila Tagore, Chaya Devi, Ruma Guha Thakurta
Ruma Guha Thakurta
-Early life:She was born in 1934 as Ruma Ghosh. She hails from a Brahmo Bengali family. Her father was Satyen Ghosh and her mother was Sati Devi, a singer. Sati Devi's younger sister Bijoya married film director Satyajit Ray. Thakurta had her formal education in many places including Santiniketan...
, Bharati, Renuka, Robi Ghosh, Pahari Sanyal, Nabadip Haldar and Jahar Ganguly. It is the story of five widows, was based on a story by Kalkut (pen-name of Samaresh Basu). In an interview, Tapan Sinha said "He believes that widows have a right to get married. Great social reformers like Vidyasagar and Vivekananda strove ceaselessly to bring about this practice." Harmonium features Durgadas Banerji, Anil Chaterji, Satya Banerji, Arati Bhattacharji, Swaroop Dutta, Kali Banerji, Samit Bhanja, and Chaya Devi.
Bancharamer Bagan includes a performance by Manoj Mitra as an old gardener. Chaplinesque in its approach, the film depicts the tragedy of a small man in this big world. In Khudito Pasan, Dilip Roy gives a performance as a moghul king. This film, based on a story by Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore, also stars Soumitra Chaterji.
Sinha's Jatugriho (Uttam and Arundhuti Devi) is a fascinating film drawn from everyday life, specifically what happens when two individuals (Uttam & Arundhuti) meet, quite unexpectedly, on a train, after a long gap in which they have not seen one another. The subject of marital discord has rarely been dealt with more finesse in Indian films.
Golpo Holo Satti is a satirical film on how a heaven-sent servant (played by Robi Ghosh) brings order and peace to a quarreling disorganised family. Bhanu Banerji and some lesser-known actors (with the exceptions of Bharati and Chaya Devi) comprise the cast. This was remade in Hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherji as Bawarchi, with Rajesh Khanna in the lead role.
Atanka is based on a true story about a teacher who witnessed a murder, and his subsequent harassment and torture and harassment by the group of hoodlums who committed the crime. Soumitro, Satabdi and Prasenjit are the central performers, along with Nirmal Kumar and Manoj Mitra. Nimu Bhowmick and Bhishnu Guha Thakurtha play the villains. Anil Chaterji has a role as one of the teacher's wellwishers.
Aadmi Aur Aurat is based on a story by Prafulla Roy. Amol Palekar and Mahua Roy Choudhury act in this piece. Sinha's telefilm Aadmi Aur Aurat was remade in Bengali as Manush (starring Samit Bhanja and Devika Mukherjee) by the director himself. Sinha made another telefilm Didi with Deepti Naval as the central character.
Sinha's Ek Doctor Ki Maut was based on "Abhimanyu," a story by Ramapada Choudhury. Ek Doctor Ki Maut has Shabana Azmi, Pankaj Kapoor, Irfan Khan and Anil Chaterji in the cast. In Ek Doctor Ki Maut there is a touch reminiscent of Ibsen. Dipankar Roy invents a vaccine for leprosy, but the entire community turns against him. In this work, Sinha examines the way society responds to talent. "I based this story on the suicide of a young scientist in Delhi" said the director. Vijeyandra Ghatge, Vasant Choudhury and Deepa Sahi have cameos in the film. "Talent is subject to ridicule. The more you excel the more number of enemies you seem to have: Why this animosity towards Excellence?" Ek Doctor Ki Maut won the Rajat Kamal for the second best feature film of the year, besides earning Sinha the Best Director Award.
Sinha's Wheelchair has a cast of Soumitro Chaterji, Laboni Sarkar, Arjun Chakravorty and Ruma Guha Thakurta
Ruma Guha Thakurta
-Early life:She was born in 1934 as Ruma Ghosh. She hails from a Brahmo Bengali family. Her father was Satyen Ghosh and her mother was Sati Devi, a singer. Sati Devi's younger sister Bijoya married film director Satyajit Ray. Thakurta had her formal education in many places including Santiniketan...
. Sarkar gives a performance as a handicapped character who uses a wheelchair. The film was based on a story by the director himself, although it was inspired by the life of a crusading doctor. Wheelchair is about a young woman who is molested late one evening in jer office. While fighting off the three men, she sustains injuries and is bedridden for a while. She is fortunate enough, however, to receive proper medical care and also emotional support, and in the end, she can look forward to a better life.
Adalat O Ekti Mey (Bengali/1981) features Tanuja, Biplab Chaterji and Manoj Mitra. The film departs from Sinha's usual style. Urmila (Tanuja), a young teacher on a holiday, is raped by a gang of wealthy young men. The culprits are arrested, but Urmila is shunned by her friends, fiancé and even parents. She is an outcast like Dr. Roy in Ek Doctor Ki Maut. The difference is that while Urmila is ostracized through no fault of her own, Roy faces social wrath because of his talent.
Sinha's Antardhaan stars Soumitro Chaterji, Madhabi, Manoj Mitra, Sabyasachi Chakravorty, Satabdi Roy, Riku Dutta, Bhisma Guha Thakurtha, Ramen Roy Choudhury, Nirmal Chakravorty, and Arjun Chakravorty. It deals with the disappearance of a girl and her lover and is based on a story by Dibyendu Palit. Sinha feels that some fictionalization of a real-life incident, or even a newspaper report from which the source of the original story is supposed to be derived, is necessary for cinematic dramatization. Riku Dutta, a newcomer to films who is regularly seen in television serials, was excited to act in this film of Sinha who, she says, is the mentor of many new artistes.
In the series of films that Sinha made in the last eight years of his life, a trusting and idealistic man, assailed by unfortunate circumstances or hostile and scheming persons, stands out as an example of indomitable individualism. "I have always believed in individual courage and effort. I think, collective system or life hardly allows an individual to discover the infinite strength within him. I like the individual who has the courage to face any untoward situation, which is why I have shown an individual as a relentless fighter against all hazards in Aadmi Aur Aurat, Atanka and Ek Doctor Ki Maut. My protagonists in these films have practically done miracles by their own strength and self-confidence. In Antardhaan also, the Professor takes up the job of finding out his missing daughter. He depends only on himself and on none else, sais the Director.
Boiduryo Rahasya was a detective film. Manoj Mitra, Bhishma Guha Thakurtha, Tapas Pal, Alpana Goswami, Moonmoon Sen and Premansu Bose with Basant Choudhury form the cast. Sinha presented five hit films in succession: Kshudita Pasan, Kabuliwallah, Hatey Bazare, Apanjan and Ekhani. This created a record that is thus far unsurpassed
Sinha shifted his attention to the small screen for the first time in 1996. He made a film called Daughter of the Century with Shabana Azmi, Jaya Bhaduri, Deepa Sahi, and Sulabha Deshpande in the central roles. The film is based on a Tagore story, and also incorporates stories of other notable Bengali writers like Sarat Chandra Chaterji, Tarashankar Banerji, Gour Kishore Ghosh
Gour Kishore Ghosh
Gour Kishore Ghosh , was a celebrated Bengali writer and journalist.-Early life:Gour Kishore Ghosh was born in Hat Gopalpur village in the Jessore district in undivided bengal, , on the 22nd of June 1923...
, Dibyendu Palit. Six actress each play a central role in the stories of six renowned writers. The director wanted to convey the message that in spite of tremendous scientific advancements, attitudes towards women have not changed much. One episode, Charu, is based on the short story Ei Daho by Gour Kishore Ghosh.
Raja Sen's documentary on Tapan Sinha is entitled Filmmaker for Freedom. Sinha made a detective TV serial Hutumer Naksa, casting Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Dhiman Chakravorty, Robi Ghosh and others.
Sinha's wife, filmmaker Arundhuti Devi, died in 1990.
Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha is based on a novelette by eminent Bengali writer Shirsendu Mukhopadhay. This film, in Sinha's own words "is a semi-fantasy designed for all, including children." Aajab Gayer Aajab Katha "is a strange story of a strange village." The message is, it is necessary to have a community drive to get anything done in today's society. "We must not look at the Government for everything," says the Director. "In the west and also in the far east, there is a system of community initiatives. I believe, we should have this same kind of approach too." He adds, "According to this story, a person has to prepare himself to confront any adversary." The cast of Aajab Gayer includes Debasree Roy starring as a light-hearted village girl. "Debasree has not done such a role before and I found her absolutely suitable for it," said the director. She is the only female character in the film, which also brought a new face, Debesh Roy Choudhury, to the big screen. His role requires him to do a lot of "physical labor, including sprinting." The rest of the cast includes Soumitra Chaterji, Manoj Mitra, Nirmal Kumar, and Bibhas Chakravorty. Ten days of shooting were done at Falta, on the banks of the Ganga, starting on 7 December 1997. The following month, some shots were taken in a village house.
Sinha's final venture, the children's filme Anokha Moti, was incomplete. The film features Arjun Chakravorty, and is being made in Hindi.
Awards
His works have won 19 National Film AwardsNational Film Awards
The National Film Awards is the most prominent film award ceremony in India. Established in 1954, it is administered, along with the International Film Festival of India and the Indian Panorama, by the Indian government's Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.Every year, a national panel...
in various categories.
- KabuliwalaKabuliwalaKabuliwala ) is a 1957 Bengali film directed by Tapan Sinha and based on the eponymous story by the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore.-Plot:...
(1956), based on a story by Rabindranath Tagore, won the Music Award and the Silver Bear at the Berlin Film Festival7th Berlin International Film FestivalThe 7th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from June 21 to July 2, 1957.-Jury:* Jay Carmody * Jean de Baroncelli* John Sutro* Dalpathal Kothari* Fernaldo Di Giammatteo* Bunzaburo Hayashi* Miguel Alemán hijo...
. - Ek Doctor Ki MautEk Doctor Ki MautEk Doctor Ki Maut is a 1990 award winning film by noted Bengali director Tapan Sinha, which depicts the ostracism, bureaucratic negligence, reprimand and insult of a doctor and his research, instead of recognition...
(Death of a Doctor)(1991), won National Award for Second Best Film, Best Director, 1991/ Special Jury Award for Best Actor, 1991/ BFJA Awards - Best Film, Best Director, 1991/ 37th Film Fare Award for Best Screenplay, 1991/ Red Cross Film Festival, Sofia (Bulgaria), 1991 - He was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke AwardDadasaheb Phalke AwardThe Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest award in cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema. It was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered as the father of Indian cinema.The award for a particular year is...
for the year 2008 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema on 21 July 2008.
Filmography
- Ankush (1954)
- Upahaar (1955)
- Tonsil (1956)
- KabuliwalaKabuliwalaKabuliwala ) is a 1957 Bengali film directed by Tapan Sinha and based on the eponymous story by the Bengali writer Rabindranath Tagore.-Plot:...
(1957) - Lauha Kapat (1958)
- Kala Mati (1958)
- Khaniker Atithi (1959)
- Khudhito Pashan (1960)
- Jhinder BandiJhinder BandiTapan Sinha's one of the master creations, Jhinder Bandi is a historical romance starring Uttam Kumar, Soumitra Chatterjee, Arundhati Debi and lot other Bengali cine artists. Human emotions like hate, love, jelousy and betrayal are all well dealt in the movie. For the first time Soumitra...
(1961) - Hansuli Banker UpakathaHansuli Banker UpakathaHansuli Banker Upokotha is a novel by Tarashankar Bandopadhyay, made into a film in 1962 by Tapan Sinha starring Kali Bannerjee, Dilip Roy, Robi Ghosh and others. Set in 1941, the movie explores life in rural bengal, the realities of the Zamindari system that was responsible for much of the social...
(1962) - Nirjan SaikateNirjan SaikateNirjan Saikate is a Bengali film directed by Tapan Sinha. It was released in 1963. This movie is an adaptation of the novel with the same name by eminent Bengali writer Samaresh Basu, who wrote this travelogue under his pen name 'Kalkut'.-Plot:The writer is himself the protagonist...
(1963) - Jatugriha (1964)
- Arohi (1964)
- AtithiAtithiAtithi is a 2002 Kannada film directed by P. Sheshadri. The film deals with terrorism and the psychology of the terrorist.-Plot summary:...
(1965) - Galpo Holeo Satti (1966)
- Hatey BazareyHatey BazareyHatey Bazarey or Hate Bazare is a 1967 award winning art film by noted Bengali director Tapan Sinha and produced Asim Dutta, the story revolves around the conflict of good and evil...
(1967) - Aapan Jon (1968)
- Sagina MahatoSagina MahatoSagina Mahato is a 1970 Bengali movie. Produced by the late Shri J.K. Kapur and directed by Tapan Sinha, the film stars Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu. The movie was remade as a Hindi movie titled Sagina in 1974.-Plot:...
(1970) - SasinaSasinaSasina is a village on the north coast of Savai'i island in Samoa. It is located in the political district of Gagaifomauga. The population is 550 .The village is part of a conservation area which includes the village of Aopo...
(1970) - Ekhani (1971)
- Zindagi ZindagiZindagi ZindagiZindagi Zindagi is a 1972 Bollywood romance film directed by Tapan Sinha. The film stars Deb Mukherjee, Waheeda Rehman, Farida Jalal and Ashok Kumar . The film revolves around life in a village hospital.-Cast:*Jalal Agha … Ratan...
(1972) - Aandhar Periye (1973)
- Raja (1975)
- Harmonium (1976)
- Ek Je Chhilo Desh (1977)
- Safed HaathiSafed HaathiSafed Haathi is an Indian film made by Tapan Sinha in 1978. It was awarded National Film Award for Best Children's Film in 1978. It got a ‘Special Jury Award’ in the Sixth Competitive Festival “The Child In Our Time’ 1983 in Mifed, Milan, Italy...
(1978) - Sabuj Dwiper Raja (1979)
- Banchharamer- Bagan (1980)
- Adalat O Ekti Meye (1982)
- Admi Aur Aurat (1982)
- Manush (1983)
- Didi (1984)
- Baidurya Rahasya (1985)
- Atanka (1986)
- Aaj Ka Rabinhood (1987)
- Ek Doctor Ki MautEk Doctor Ki MautEk Doctor Ki Maut is a 1990 award winning film by noted Bengali director Tapan Sinha, which depicts the ostracism, bureaucratic negligence, reprimand and insult of a doctor and his research, instead of recognition...
(1991) - Antardhaan (1992)
- Wheel Chair (1994)
- Satabdir Kanya (1996)
- Hutumer Naksa
- Ajab Gnayer Ajab Katha (1999)
- Anokhi Moti (2000)