Kamaleshwar Mukherjee
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), and Password (2019).
Kamaleswar Mukherjee | |
|---|---|
Mukherjee at the 44th International Film Festival of India | |
| Born | Kamaleshwar Kumar Mukhopadhyay October 25 Kolkata, West Bengal, India |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Alma mater | Medical College and Hospital, Kolkata (M.B.B.S.) St. Lawrence High School, Kolkata |
| Occupation |
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| Known for | Meghe Dhaka Tara Chander Pahar Amazon Obhijaan Password |
Early life and education
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
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. 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 and is till date the biggest blockbuster in Bengali film history. Upon release, it was released in 5 languages.The film received critical praise for the acting performances, direction, story and screenplay, but was criticised for the quite unrealistic special effects.The film grossed above 50 crore after being released and is the highest grossing bengali film till date.Then he made popular and provoking 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. All the above films of his received critical acclaim.
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
 |
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 | |
| 2015 | Onno Bosonto | No | No | Yes | |
| 2016 | Khawto | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2017 | Chaamp | No | No | Yes | Reporter Shantanu |
| Meghnad Badh Rahasya | No | No | Yes | ||
| Cockpit | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| Soshibhushan | No | No | Yes | Soshi Babu | |
| Amazon Obhijaan | Yes | Yes | No | ||
| 2018 | Kabir | No | No | Yes | IPS Dulal Roy Chattopadhyay |
| 2018 | Goodnight City | Yes | No | No | |
| 2019 | Mukhomukhi | Yes | Yes | No | |
| 2019 | Kidnap | No | No | Yes | Newspaper Office Head |
| 2019 | Password | Yes | No | No | [1] |
| 2020 | Dwitiyo Purush | No | No | Yes | |
| 2021 | Anusandhan | Yes | Yes | Yes | [2] |
| 2022 | Kishmish | No | No | Yes | |
| 2022 | Mayaa | No | No | Yes | Directed By: Raajhorshee De Status: Post Production |
| 2022 | A Separate Sky | No | No | Yes | Directed By: Raajhorshee De |
Web Series
- Mohomaya (Director,Cameo as doctor)
- Dujone (Actor)
Awards and nominations
- Centenary Award at International Film Festival of India, Goa 2013 (Meghe Dhaka Tara)
- Silver Crow Pheasant Award for the Best Director at International Film Festival of Kerala, 2013 (Meghe Dhaka Tara)
- NETPAC Award International Film Festival of Kerala, 2013 (Meghe Dhaka Tara)[5]
- Nominated for Filmfare Awards East for Best Director – Bengali - (Chander Pahar)
- Zee Bangla Gourab Somman Award for Best Director - (Chander Pahar)
- Kalakar Awards for Best Director - (Chander Pahar)
References
- 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. t.co/kuwuhJk8hz" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- "Trailer of Saswata Chatterjee, Ridhhi Sen's upcoming Bengali thriller Anusandhan released". Firstpost. 24 March 2021. Retrieved 24 March 2021.
- "Amazon Obhijaan graphic novel launched". Press Trust of India. 11 November 2017 – via Business Standard.
- "Amazon Obhijaan graphic novel launched". India Today.
- "Awards at IFFK 2013". The New Indian Express. 5 March 2014. Retrieved 5 March 2014.