Anil Ganguly


Anil Ganguly was an Indian film director and screenwriter, who worked in Hindi cinema from 1970s to 2001. He is best known for Jaya Bhaduri starrer, Kora Kagaz and the Raakhee starrer Tapasya, both of which won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. He is also known for his films with Raakhee like Trishna, Aanchal, Saaheb. In 1990, Raakhee and Tapas Paul featured in his Bengali film Balidan which became a massive financial grosser.

Career

Ganguly started his career making literary adaptations with strong female roles and themes of marital discord. For his second film Kora Kagaz his adapted Ashutosh Mukhopadhyay's story "Saat Paake Bandha", previously adapted into a Bengali film by the same name. Films female lead Jaya Bhaduri won Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role. His next film, Tapasya with Raakhee as lead was produced by Rajshri Productions, and was based on story by Ashapurna Devi. Raakhee won the Filmfare Best Actress Award for her role He later adapted Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Parineeta as Sankoch, with Sulakshana Pandit and Jeetendra as leads. Humkadam again starring Raakhee, and made in 1980, was an adaptation of Satyajit Ray's Mahanagar.
He made Aanchal with Rajesh Khanna as the lead hero and the film turned out to be platinum jubilee hit. His last major film was Anil Kapoor and Amrita Singh starrer Saaheb. Later in his career, he shifted to making action and thriller films but nine of 9 films he made since 1986 were unsuccessful at the box office. His last directorial venture was Odia film Kiye Para Kiye Najara with Tapas Paul, and Debashree Roy. He died on 15 January 2016 at the age of 82.

Awards

Filmography

  • All films are in Hindi unless otherwise noted.
YearTitleNote
1962Half TicketAssistant director
1965Bheegi RaatAssistant director
1974Kora Kagaz
1976Tapasya
1976Sankoch
1978Trishna
1979Khandaan
1980Agreement
1980Neeyat
1980Aanchal
1980Humkadam
1982Karwat
1983Kaun? Kaisey?
1985Saaheb
1987Mera Yaar Mera Dushman
1987Pyar Ke Kabil
1987Sadak Chhap
1990BalidanBengali film
1991Dushman Devta
1993Dil Ki Baazi
1996Angaara
1998Kiye Para Kiye NijaraOdia film

Personal life

His daughter, Rupali Ganguly is television, film and theatre actress. His son, Vijay Ganguly is a director and choreographer.