Kali Banerjee was one of the most talented actors of golden age.

Kali Banerjee was one of the most talented actors of golden age.

Kali Banerjee was one of the most talented actors to grace the silver screen. Born in 1921, Kali Banerjee made his presence felt in Bengali films of the 50s, with impressive performance in the film Barjatri.

From that time he had acted in more than 200 films and every type of role possible at that time. He had been remembered for his epic performance in Agragami’s film Dakharkara in 1958. He was postman of a village and faced odds to convey letters, parcels telegrams to distant places. The last message he received was the message of death of his son who had joined the Indian armed forces , received a gold medal and died at the battle field. Tarashankar Banerjee’s classic literature was given adequate expression by Kali Banerjee.

He became the automatic choice of all the legendary directors of Bengal during the golden age. Hrithik Ghatak did cast him in his innovative film Ajantrik where he showed the abstract relationship of a man with a car. Mrinal Sen used him in his epic film Neel Akasher Neeche, where he played the role of a Chinese in Kolkata, who had left home to do business in the city. His emotional performances brought tears in the eyes of viewers. He was used by Satyajit Ray in his film Manihara and Parash Pathar, and he did a great job in both the films. He was used by Tapan Sinha in the film Arohi, where he played the role of a compounder who gave all his earnings for the higher education of the doctor’s son. The doctor was played by Bikash Roy and Kali Banerjee’s relationship with him amazed the viewers. The film was remade in hindi where Sanjeev Kumar played the role played by Kali Banerjee. He did a great job in Tarun Majumdar’s Dadar Kirti.

He also played significant roles in the commercial films dominated by superstar Uttam Kumar. He played the role of automobile engineer in Uttam Kumar’s film Sonar Harin. He played the role of a villain in Uttam Kumar’s film Kokhono Megh. He also played character roles in Uttam Kumar’s films Shilpi, Surjo Toron, etc.

The modern generation remembers him for his brilliant performance in Anjan Choudhury’s film Guru Dakhhina in 1986. He played the role of music teacher of hero Tapas Pal who took the Guru Dakkhina under pressure of not allowing him to sing. But he took it back at the end of the film when Tapas Pal sang. He acted in bollywood films as well, including Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film Bawarchi, which was the hindi remake of Tapan Sinha’s film Golpo Holeo Satti.

He also acted in many plays which were hosted in landmark halls in Kolkata including Arogyo Niketan, Khuda, etc. Most of these plays were made into films, but Kali Banerjee’s performances did outcast of the performances of the actors in the films.

He had the same style of acting gharana which was there in bollywood actor Sanjeev Kumar. He was cast in multifarious roles and still remains one of the most versatile actors of all times. His films and other works should be preserved.

Satyajit Ray's casting was excellent in Post Master and Manihara.

Satyajit Ray’s casting was excellent in Post Master and Monihara.

Satyajit Ray was a master of casting whenever film direction was in question. He experimented with Rabindranath Tagore’s epic literature Teen Kanya in his film Teen Kanya. He chose the stories Post Master, Manihara and Shamapti.

In Post Master, Ray’s choice of Anil Chatterji in the role of Post Master showed his immense class in casting of characters. Anil Chatterji displayed the uneasiness of a Post Master in adjusting in village conditions very well. He listened to the rural music of the old villagers. He got frightened to weird mannerism of Nripati Chatterji who played the role of a village beggar. He faced fever, and even in sleep he dreamt about the weird beggar.

Ray’s casting of Chandana Banerjee in the role of the little girl was equally excellent. The girl lost her parents at a young age and served the Post Masters in the village. She took care of Anil Chatterji when he got fever and treated him like an elder brother. Anil Chatterji taught him to read and write. When he got transferred and a new Post Master came in his place, Chandana Banerjee made the viewers weep through her passionate expression. She got attached with the Post Master and did not even take the money offered to her by Anil Chatterji when he left the village.

In Manihara, the casting of Kali Banerjee and Konika Majumdar in the lead roles also showed Ray’s class. Kali Banerjee was a zamindar and Konika Majumdar was his wife. She had a troubled past. She was possessive towards her jewellery. When Kali Banerjee went to Kolkata for work, she asked one of her friends to reach her to her native town.

Konika Majumdar died. When Kali Banerjee returned back, her ghost came and appeared before Kali Banerjee. Kali Banerjee looked at her hand full of jewellary which later turned into a skeleton. A road passer told the story to a visitor who was also a ghost. Kali Banerjee’s frightened expression amazed the viewers.

Ray was a great artist and his illustration helped him to cast the right actors and actresses at the right roles. The characters came out of classic novels and mesmerized the viewers with conviction and accuracy. The film should be preserved for Tagore’s brilliant literature, Ray’ s powerful direction and the effortless performances of main actors and actresses in the film.