Bhanu Bandopadhyay

Samyamoy Bandyopadhyay or Bhanu Bandyopadhyay was an actor of Indian origin, who was also known as Bhanu Banerjee. He was born in Munshiganj in the Bengal Presidency of British India (currently Bangladesh) on August 26, 1920. He was a comic actor and also a voice artist with over three hundred films to his credit. His career spanned thirty-eight years. Bhanu Bandyopadhyay was born into a Kulin Brahmin family that hailed from Panchgaon, a village in Bikrampur, Dhaka Division, which is now part of Bangladesh. He attended Kazi Pagla A. T. Institute, Lohajong, Pogose School, and later went to St. Gregory's High School in Dhaka. Then he studied at Jagannath College where he earned his B.A. degree and he relocated to Calcutta in the 1950s.

He began his career at the Iron & Steel Control Board. Bhanu initially began his acting career as a stand-up comedian in Dhaka, performing at office parties before moving on to larger venues. In 1943, he released his first successful comic gramophone record Dhakar Gadoane, and every year he released a brand new album on Durga Pooja . He made his film debut in Abhijog (1947), starring alongside Debi Mukherjee and Sumitra Devi. His breakthrough film role was where he played a Bangal businessman in Nirmal Dey's Basu Parivar (1952). The following year, his portrayal of Kedar in Sharey Chuattor elevated him to stardom.

He went on to star in nearly three hundred movies, mostly in comedic roles where he exaggerated Bengali accents and mannerisms for humorous effect. He frequently teamed up with his best friend, comedian Jahor Roy Jahor Roy was a renowned actor and comedian in Ben >> Read More... , for films like Bhanu Pelo Lottery and Bhanu Goenda Johar Assistant. Despite being primarily known for his comedic roles, he also played serious and negative roles in films such as Alor Pipasa, Galpo Holeo Satti, Amrita Kumbher Sandhane, Bijayinee, and Baghini. He played lead roles in films like Mriter morte Agomon, Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Personal Assistant, Sworgo Mortyo, Ashite Ashiona, and Miss Priyambada. In his later years, he founded his own Jatra (folk drama) group called Mukto Mancha and directed, acted, and produced in his own productions, traveling throughout the country with the troupe.

During his time in Dhaka District, he was associated with Anushilan Samity, a freedom fighter group. As a teenager, he was placed under house arrest for 30 days on suspicion of participating in seditious activities by the police. Following the Quit India movement, he joined the Revolutionary Socialist Party before founding the Kranti Shilpi Sangha along with writer Salil Sen Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , who later became a filmmaker. Together they staged the renowned play Natun Yahudi in 1951, which was subsequently filmed in 1953, to raise funds for East Bengal refugees in Calcutta. Nilima Mukhopadhyay Bio coming soon... >> Read More... , a playback singer, was Bandyopadhyay's spouse, and they were parents to three children - Basabi Ghatak (née Bandyopadhyay), Gautam, and Pinaki. On 4th March 1983, Bhanu passed away due to a heart ailment. On the occasion of his 91st birth anniversary, his movie Nirdharito Shilpir Onupasthitite (1959) was released on DVD on 26th August 2011.

His filmography includes Suryatoron, Nupur, Louhakapat, Jamalaye Jibanta Manush, Daktarbabu, Shargo marto, Bhanu Pelo Lottery, Jonakir Alo, Kalamati, Manmoyee Girls School, Shaharer Itikatha, Pushpadhanu, Nirdharito Shilpir Anupasthite, Mriter martye Agaman, Sonar Horin Sonar Horin is a Bengali drama serial that was bro >> Read More... , Shokher Chor, Surer Piyashi, Hospital, Shesh Parjanto, Bishkanya, Shayombara, Kanchanmulya, Kathin Maya, Roybahadur, Mr and Mrs Chowdhury, Kanamachhi, Dadathakur, Atal Jaler Ahwan, Badhu, Abhisharika, Mayar Shangshar, Agnishikha, Satbhai, Preyashi, Chhayasurya, Dui Bari, Barnochora, Bhrantibilash, Hashi Shudhu hashi Noi, Akash Pradip, Dui Nari, High Heel, Bingshati Janani, Jiban kahini, Dip Neve Nai, Gulmohor, Rajkanya, Pati Shangshodhini Shamity, Mukhujjay Paribar, Debotar Deep, Dolna, Etotuku Basha, Mahalogno, Abhoya O Srikanta, Tapashi, Alor Pipasha, Mayabini Lane, Shesh Tin Din, Kal Tumi Aleya, Galpo Holeo Satti, Joradighir Chowdhury Paribar, Prastar Shakhhor, Anthony Phiringee, Kheya, Miss Priyangbada, Hathat Dekha, Ashite Ashiona, Hate Bajare, Nayika Shangbad, Shabarmati, Ma O Meye, Dadu, Garh Nashimpur, Pathe Holo Dekha, Chowrangee, Apanjon, Baghini, Rajkumari, Sagina Mahato, Pratham Kadam Phul, Aleyar Alo, Malyadan, Pratham Bashanta, Ekhane Pinjar, Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant, Shangini, Priyo Bandhabi Story Soon >> Read More... , Kabi, Nishimrigaya, Roudrachhaya, Nakal Shona, Nishikanya, Bindur Chhele, and Prantorekha.