Bhanu Bandopadhyay, also known as Bhanu Banerjee, was a renowned actor of Bengali film industry. He had starred in more than 300 movies. Apart from films, he was also active in plays and was a frequent performer on the Indian radio. He was a cherished comedian of Bengali films and in most of the movies played comic roles. His excellent comic timings and exaggerated Bengali accents and mannerisms were applauded and enjoyed by the critics and masses alike.

Early Life of Bhanu Bandopadhyay
Bhanu Bandopadhyay was born at Bikrampur, Dhaka, on 26th August 1920. He completed his schooling from Pogose School and St. Gregory"s High School. Subsequently he did his higher studies from Jagannath College. Later in 1940s he shifted to Kolkata. In the initial days of his stay in Kolkata he worked at the Steel Control Board.

Career of Bhanu Bandopadhyay
Bhanu Bandopadhyay began his career in the entertainment industry in Dhaka as a stand-up comedian. Initially he used to perform at office parties and gradually got opportunities at larger venues. In the year 1943, his first major comic gramophone record titled Dhakar Gadoane was released. It was a huge success and earned him much popularity. Its success also inspired him to release a new record every year during the occasion of Durga Puja.

Bhanu Bandopadhyay"s film career as an actor took a steep rise with his role in Nirmal Dey"s film Basu Parivar in the year 1952. In the movie he played the role of a Bengali businessman. In the following year he reached stardom by portraying the role of Kedar in Share Chuattar. In the movie his quote "Mashima malpo khamu" translated as "Aunt, I want malpo" became a very popular catchphrase over generations. In the following years Bhanu Bandopadhyay acted in over 300 movies many of which marked great success like Bhrantibilash and Pasher Bari. In many of his flicks, he collaborated with his best friend comedian Jahor Roy. Some of the popular films featuring the duo include Bhanu Pelo Lottery and the humorous detective story Bhanu Goenda Johar Assistant. Although Bhanu Bandopadhyay was mostly known to be a comedian, he also essayed serious role in films like Tapan Kaku, Chhabi Jethu, Buro Kaku and Galpa Holeo Satyi. Some of the prominent flicks in which he appeared in lead roles are Ashite Asio na, Miss Priyambada, Personal Assistant and Jomaloyer Jibonto Manus. In the later phase of his career Bhanu Bandopadhyay founded his own Jatra group titled Mukto Mancha. He had played the role of producer, director and actor in his troupe and travelled all around the country. Bhanu Bandopadhyay"s last film titled Nirdharito Shilpir Onupasthitite (1959) released on DVD on 26th August 2011. The release was confirmed by his son Gautam Bandyopadhyay and coincided with his 91st birth anniversary.

Death of Bhanu Bandopadhyay
Bhanu Bandopadhyay died on 4th March 1983 owing to a heart ailment. He was survived by his wife Nilima Mukhopadhyay, a former playback singer, and their three children namely Basabi Ghatak, Gautam Bandopadhyay and Pinaki Bandopadhyay.