Legendary film director and screenwriter Basu Chatterjee passes away at 93

By Rashita Sahni

on June 04, 2020

Legendary Indian film director and screenwriter Basu Chatterjee passed away at the age of 93. The veteran filmmaker's last rites will be performed today at Santacruz cremation at 2 pm in Mumbai. The cause of his death is cited as age-related ailments.

Basu started his career as an illustrator and cartoonist with the weekly tabloid Blitz published in Mumbai. He worked for 18 years, before he changed career paths to filmmaking when he assisted Basu Bhattacharya in the Raj Kapoor and Waheeda Rehman starrer Teesri Kasam (1966), which later won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. Eventually, he made his directorial debut with Sara Akash in 1969, which won him the Filmfare Best Screenplay Award.

Some of his best films to be critically acclaimed are Sara Akash (1969), Piya Ka Ghar (1972), Us Paar (1974), Rajnigandha (1974), Chhoti Si Baat (1975), Chitchor (1976), Swami (1977), Khatta Meetha, Priyatama, Chakravyuha (1978 film), Jeena Yahan (1979), Baton Baton Mein (1979), Apne Paraye (1980), Shaukeen and Ek Ruka Hua Faisla.