Kaushik Ganguly


Kaushik Ganguly is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor in Bengali cinema. He has received several awards including six National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards Bangla. Kaushik Ganguly is known for making films that explore various aspects sexuality, like Ushnatar Janye, which deals with a lesbian relationship, and Arekti Premer Golpo, which examines transgender identity & Nagarkirtan, an LGBTQ Movie. In 2019, Film Companion ranked Ridhi Sen's performance in Nagarkirtan which was directed by Ganguly, among ''100 Greatest Performances of the decade.''

Life

Ganguly was born in Kolkata on 4 August 1968. His father was guitarist Sunil Ganguly. He attended Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur and later Jadavpur University where he worked on a degree in Bengali literature. While at university, he started a theatre troupe with his future wife actress Churni Ganguly and Suman Mukhopadhyay. In 1987, Ganguly began working as a screenwriter for Tollywood films. He married actress Churni Ganguly in January 1993 They have a son actor Ujaan Ganguly
In 1995, he moved to ETV Bangla to direct telefilms like Ushnatar Janye, Ulka and Aatithi. These telefilms incorporated elements like lesbianism and sex determination that had not been depicted in Bengali television productions before.

Career

Kaushik made his directorial debut with Waarish. After his debut, over the years, he has directed more than 15 films and along the way has won several awards. Few of his most notable films include Laptop, which won the National Award for Best Background Music in 2011, Shabdo, which won the National Award for Best Bengali Film and Chotoder Chobi. His 2017 directorial venture includes Chaya O Chobi, a Bengali drama starring Abir Chatterjee, Koel Mallick and Ritwick Chakraborty, Nagarkirtan, an LGBTQ+ movie starring Riddhi Sen and Ritwick Chakraborty.his filmmking craft highly influenced by Gulzar and Rituparno Ghosh.

Filmography

Director

YearFilmRef
2004Waarish
2005Shunyo E Buke
2005Ek Mutho Chabi
2009Brake Fail
2009Jackpot
2010Arekti Premer Golpo
2011Rang Milanti
2012Laptop
2012Shabdo
2013C/O Sir
2013Apur Panchali
2014Khaad
2014Chotoder Chobi
2016Bastu Shaap
2016Cinemawala
2017Bishorjan
2017Chaya O Chobi
2017Nagarkirtan
2018Drishtikone
2018Kishore Kumar Junior
2019Bijoya
2019Jyeshthoputro
2022Lokkhi Chele
2023Kaberi Antardhan
2023Ardhangini
2023Palaan
2024Lantrani
2024Ajogyo
2025Dhumketu
2026Ajo Ardhangini
2026Waiting Room

Notable acting roles

Television

  • Hariharan
  • Ulka
  • Aatithi
  • Shesh Kritya
  • Collage
  • Chhayachhobi
  • Chhadmabeshi
  • Diagnosis
  • De-Ray
  • 2003: Ghare O Bairey
  • 2003: Ushnatar Janye
  • 2010: Bandhobi
  • 2010: Bagh Nokh''

    Screenwriter

  • 2005: Shunyo E Buke
  • 2009: Jackpot
  • 2010: Arekti Premer Golpo
  • 2011: Rang Milanti
  • 2012: ''Laptop''

    Awards

Kaushik Ganguly received multiple awards for his role in various films.
YearAward editionFilmAward
201260th National Film AwardsShabdoBest Feature Film in Bengali
201563rd National Film AwardsChotoder ChobiBest Film on Other Social Issues
201764th National Film AwardsBishorjonBest Feature Film in Bengali
201865th National Film AwardsNagarkirtanSpecial Jury Award
202167th National Film AwardsJyeshthoputroBest Original Screenplay
202470th National Film AwardsKaberi AntardhanBest Feature Film in Bengali