Samit Bhanja


Samit Bhanja was an Indian actor and director known for his work in the Bengali cinema. He was one of the most promising actors of his time, working in both Bengali and Hindi cinema.

Early life

Bhanja was born in Tamluk, Purba Medinipur in an affluent family, originally from Chandrakona, Ghatal to Pritimoy Bhanja and Shila Debi. His grandfather had moved to Tamluk for his legal practice. He received his formal education from the prestigious Hamilton High School. Throughout his childhood he displayed a rebellious and adventurous spirit. Often getting into all sorts of troubles and fights in the neighborhood for this attribute.

Career

Since his school days he had an active passion for acting, he even joined a local acting club called the "Kalpotaru friends club" at Tamluk. Subsequently, he joined Rupkar, the theatre group of Sabitabrata Dutta and enacted in several plays in early 1960s. He made his screen debut with Balai Sen's 1965 Bengali film Surer Agun. He is remembered as the male lead, Navin, of the successful Hindi film Guddi, opposite Jaya Bhaduri. In addition to acting in film, he acted in theatre and jatras, and was associated with the Rupkar group theatre.

Personal life

He married his childhood sweetheart Ranja and had 3 daughters, Rakhi, Bidisha and Saheli.

Death

He lost his life to cancer in Kolkata at the age of 59.Veteran and esteemed actor Soumitra Chatterjee provided him with crucial aid at this tough juncture.

Selected filmography

  1. Surer Agun
  2. Hatey Bazarey
  3. Apanjan – Chheno
  4. Pratham Kadam Phool – Bhajahari Manna
  5. Parineeta – Girin
  6. Natun Pata
  7. Banajyotsana
  8. Aranyer Din Ratri – Hari
  9. Rupasi – Balaram
  10. Guddi – Navin
  11. Janani
  12. Atattar Din Pare
  13. Pratham Pratishruty – Rasbihari
  14. Ajker Nayak
  15. Sesh Parba
  16. Sapath Nilam
  17. Jaban
  18. Picnic
  19. Achena Atithi
  20. Wahi Raat Wahi Aawaz
  21. Chithi – Prasenjit Roy
  22. Fuleswari
  23. Fuleswari
  24. Asati
  25. Anjane Mehman
  26. Salaam Memsaab
  27. Kitne Paas Kitne Door
  28. Harmonium – Ratan
  29. Jiban Marur Prante
  30. Datta – Bilashbihari
  31. Bilwamangal
  32. Ek Bindu Sukh
  33. Kabita
  34. Golap Bou
  35. Mrigayaa – Rebel
  36. Shaanaai – Haradhan
  37. Striker
  38. Ganadevata – Aniruddha
  39. Sabuj Dwiper Raja – Raja Roychowdhury – Kakababu
  40. Bono Basar
  41. Dadar Kirti – Anil
  42. Parabesh
  43. Aro Ekjan
  44. Upalabdhi
  45. Shahar Theke Dooray – Doctor Chatterjee
  46. Kalankini Kankabati
  47. Faisala
  48. Rajbabhu
  49. Amrita Kumbher Sandhaney
  50. Uttar Meleni
  51. Rajbadhu
  52. Faisala
  53. Prayashchitta
  54. Rajeshwari
  55. Abhinoy Noy
  56. Didi
  57. Debigarjan
  58. Jiban Sathi
  59. Dui Adhyay
  60. Urbashi
  61. Phera
  62. Sudhu Tomari
  63. Jar Jey Priyo
  64. Jhankar
  65. Asha-o-Bhalobasha
  66. Garmil
  67. Raktalekha
  68. Surer Bhubane
  69. JUYA
  70. Sarbojaya
  71. DAGI
  72. Bonophool
  73. Mohini
  74. Drishti
  75. Protidhwani
  76. Abar Aranye – Harinath Dutta aka Hari