Basu Bhattacharya, an eminent filmmaker, was noted for making films that dealt with the intricacies of human relationships. Hailing from West Bengal, Basu Bhattacharya went to Mumbai in the early 1950s, and started his career assisting Bimal Roy on the sets of Madhumati and later, Sujata.
Career of Basu Bhattacharya
Basu Bhattacharya`s first film as an independent director was Teesri Kasam and it was produced by the poet-lyricist Shailendra. The film had an impressive star cast - Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman; cinematography by Subrata Mitra, who shot Satyajit Ray`s early films. Teesri Kasam had won the 1966 National Film Award for the Best Feature Film.
Despite the critical success of Teesri Kasam, Basu Bhattacharya never filmed a literary work again. He moved to middle-budget films with non-stereotypical themes and strong scripts. Marital disharmony was the common theme of his trilogy - Anubhav, Avishkar, and Griha Pravesh. The trilogy attempted to explore the inherent fragility of urban middle-class marriages in an increasingly materialist society. Though not commercially successful, these films were noticed for their subject matter and the director`s sensitive handling of the subject. Anubhav won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film, and Avishkar landed Rajesh Khanna a Filmfare Award for Best Actor.
In 1979, Basu Bhattacharya produced the critically-acclaimed Sparsh, directed by Sai Paranjpye. His last film Aastha, a follow-up to the trilogy of the 1970s, dealt with his favourite theme - marital dissatisfaction and materialism.
Basu Bhattacharya served the film industry in various capacities. He held the position of vice-president of the Federation of Film Societies of India and President of the Indian Film Directors Association, among others. Basu Bhattacharya passed away in 1997.
Filmography of Basu Bhattacharya
* Uski Kahani (1966)
* Teesri Kasam (1966) - Won National Film Award for Best Film
* Anubhav (1971)
* Avishkaar (1973)
* Daku (1975)
* Tumhara Kalloo (1975)
* Sangat (1976)
* Known Yet Not Known (1977)
* Madhu Malti (1978)
* Griha Pravesh (1979)
* Madhuman (1981)
* Horky podzim s vuni manga (1984)
* Anveshan (1985) (TV)
* Solar Energy (1986)
* Science India (1986)
* Panchavati (1986)
* Ek Saas Zindagi (1991)
* Aastha: In the Prison of Spring (1997).
Personal life of Basu Bhattacharaya
Basu Bhattacharya married Rinki who was the daughter of Bimal Roy. The couple had a son Aditya Bhattacharya (director), and two daughters, Chimmu and Anwesha Arya (a writer).