Known for his ‘middle-of-the-road’ films, Basu Chatterji started out as an illustrator and cartoonist for the weekly tabloid Blitz in Bombay. Eighteen years later, he changed streams and became a filmmaker.
Chatterji began his film journey by assisting Basu Bhattacharya on the making of his National award-winning debut film Teesri Kasam. Chatterji’s own debut film, Sara Akash (1969), won the Filmfare Best Screenplay award.
Chatterji made some of his most successful films without big stars. However, whenever he worked with big names, he made sure to cast them in relatable, never-seen-before avatars.
Some of Basu-da’s most commercially successful and critically acclaimed films are Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Us-Paar (1974), Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Chitchor (1976), Swami (1977), Khatta Meetha (1978), Priyatama (1978), Chakravyuha (1978), Jeena Yahan (1979), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Apne Paraye (1980), Shaukeen (1982) and Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1986).
Chatterji earned immense popularity with two of his television series, Rajani (1985) and Byomkesh Bakshi (1993), as well. In his later career, he also made a few Indo-Bangladeshi projects like Hothat Brishti (1998), Chupi Chupi (2001) and Tak Jhal Mishti (2002).
The legendary filmmaker was a member of the jury at the 10th Moscow International Film Festival in 1977. He also served as a member of the International Film and Television Club of the Asian Academy of Film and Television.
Basu Chatterji died aged 90 in Mumbai on 4 June 2020.