Kamaleswar Mukherjee, M.B.B.S. is an Indian film director, actor, and physician known for his work in Bengali-language films. Films directed by him include Chander Pahar (2013), Meghe Dhaka Tara (2013), Amazon Obhijaan (2017) Cockpit (2017).

Kamaleswar Mukherjee
Manish Tewari and the Hollywood actress Michelle Yeoh presenting the Special Centenary Silver Peacock Award to Kamaleshwar Mukherjee.jpg
Born
Kamaleswar Mukherjee

October 25
NationalityIndian
Alma materMedical College and Hospital, Kolkata (M.B.B.S.)
St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata
Occupations
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • actor
Known for

Early life and education

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Kamaleswar Mukherjee is a physician by training. He attended St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata and is an alumnus of the Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata, when it was affiliated with the University of Calcutta. He transitioned from the medical profession first to Group Theatre, then to the advertising world, and then to filmmaking. After working as an advertisement filmmaker, Mukherjee wrote dialogues, screenplays, and songs for the film Natobor Not Out (2010).

Career

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His directorial debut, the well acclaimed film Uro Chithi was released in 2011. This film interwove 12 text messages with 12 different characters, combining shades of life spanning across 12 months. His next venture was Meghe Dhaka Tara, inspired by the life and works of Bengali filmmaker, Ritwik Ghatak. The film attempts to portray the period of Ghatak's life when he was admitted into a mental asylum for treatment. Meghe Dhaka Tara was a critically acclaimed film in the Bengali film circuit, and it won the International Film Festival of India Centenary award.

His next film was Chander Pahar (2013), based on a novel by Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay by the same name. Chander Pahar is the second costliest film made in Bengali language and is still the second biggest blockbuster in the history of Bengali cinema.The film received huge critical acclaim. The adventure film was shot in Africa. Then he made the film Khawto, that deals with the love story of an eminent urban author in self imposed asylum near the sea. In 2017, Mukherjee wrote and directed Amazon Obhijaan, (the sequel to Chander Pahar) - that was the costliest Bengali film ever made.[citation needed] Upon release, it was released in 5 languages. The film grossed above 50 crore after being released and is the highest grossing Bengali film to date.[1] Then he made films such as Cockpit - dealing with the life and journey of a pilot, Good Night City based on the conflict between a psychiatrist and a schizophrenic man, Mukhomukhi - a surreal representation of modern-day urban angst and living and Password - a story relating to cybercrime.

As an actor he has performed in a lot of films. Mukherjee is also a playwright, director and the founder member of Kolkata‐based theatre group Shailushik. He is also trained in photography and computer graphics.

Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Film Director Writer Actor Notes
2010 Notobor Notout No Yes No
2011 Uro Chithi Yes Yes No
2013 Meghe Dhaka Tara Yes Yes No * Centenary Award at International Film Festival of India, Goa 2013
* Silver Crow Pheasant Award for the Best Director at International Film Festival of Kerala, 2013
* NETPAC Award International Film Festival of Kerala, 2013
Mishor Rohoshyo No No Yes As Sadat Manto (Cameo)
Chander Pahar Yes No No * Nominated for Filmfare Awards East for Best Director – Bengali
* Zee Bangla Gourab Somman Awards for Best Director
* Kalakar Awards for Best Director
2014 Obhishopto Nighty No No Yes As a news reporter (Cameo)
Khaad No No Yes As Rajib, a trekker
Force No No Yes
2015 Arshinagar No No Yes As Salim Saab, a music teacher
13 Number Tarachand Lane Yes Yes No A Zee Bangla Originals Release
Onno Bosonto No No Yes
2016 Khawto Yes Yes No
2017 Chaamp No No Yes As Reporter Shantanu
Meghnad Badh Rahasya No No Yes
Cockpit Yes Yes No
Soshibhushan No No Yes As Soshi Babu
Amazon Obhijaan Yes Yes No
2018 Kabir No No Yes As IPS Dulal Roy Chattopadhyay
Guptodhoner Sandhane No No Yes As Akhilesh Majumdar, Jhinuk's father
Goodnight City Yes No No
2019 Mukhomukhi Yes Yes No
Durgeshgorer Guptodhon No No Yes As Akhilesh Majumdar, Jhinuk's father
Kidnap No No Yes As Newspaper Office Head
Password Yes No No [2]
2020 Dwitiyo Purush No No Yes
2021 Anusandhan Yes Yes Yes [3]
2022 Kishmish No No Yes As Ashim Sen, Rohini's father
Karnasubarner Guptodhon No No Yes As Akhilesh Majumdar, Jhinuk's father
2023 Amader Somporko No No Yes
Borfi No No Yes
Mayaa No No Yes
A Separate Sky No No Yes
Ektu Sore Bosun Yes Yes No
2025 Ami amar moto Yes Yes No

Web series

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  • Mohomaya (director, cameo as doctor); Hoichoi Original Series
  • Dujone (actor); Hoichoi Original Series
  • Roktopolash (director, actor); Klikk Original Series
  • Johny Bonny (actor); Klikk Original Series
  • Shabash Feluda (actor) as Maganlal Meghraj, ZEE5
  • Chhotolok (actor), ZEE5

Bibliography

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  • Amazon Obhijaan (Graphic novel), 2017, Bee Books[4][5]

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^ "'Amazon Obhijan' becomes highest grossing Bengali film ever". The Statesman. 16 January 2018. Retrieved 30 May 2022.
  2. ^ Taran Adarsh [@taran_adarsh] (23 February 2019). "Filming begins today... First look poster of #Bengali film #Password... Stars Dev, Parambrata, Paoli Dam, Rukmini Maitra and Adrit... Directed by Kamaleswar Mukherjee... 4 Oct 2019 release. https://t.co/kuwuhJk8hz" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  3. ^ "Trailer of Saswata Chatterjee, Ridhhi Sen's upcoming Bengali thriller Anusandhan released". Firstpost. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
  4. ^ "Amazon Obhijaan graphic novel launched". Press Trust of India. 11 November 2017 – via Business Standard.
  5. ^ "Amazon Obhijaan graphic novel launched". India Today.
  6. ^ "'Beatriz's War' wins Golden Peacock at 44th International film festival of India – Times of India". The Times of India. December 2013.
  7. ^ IFFK 2013. Awards Archived 22 September 2021 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ^ "Awards at IFFK 2013". The New Indian Express. 5 March 2014. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 5 March 2014.
  9. ^ "Kamaleswar Mukherjee". Moviebuff.com. Retrieved 3 February 2024.
  10. ^ "Award 2022 - WBFJA: Welcome to the official website of West Bengal Film Journalists' Association". Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
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