New Delhi, May 29: Rituparno Ghosh, born on August 31, 1963, into a Bengali family in Kolkata, inherited a rich artistic legacy. His father, Sunil Ghosh, was a painter and documentary filmmaker, while his mother was also an artist.
Ghosh’s journey began at South Point High School and continued through Maulana Azad College to Jadavpur University, where he earned a Master’s degree in Economics. However, this economics student was more intrigued by human emotions than market dynamics.
Before entering cinema, Ghosh ventured into advertising. As a copywriter at the ‘Response India’ agency, he broke new ground. At that time, Bengali advertisements were merely translations of English ones. Ghosh changed this trend by capturing the essence of Bengali culture, famously coining the timeless slogan “Bongo Jiboner Ango” for the antiseptic cream Boroline. This advertising experience provided him with insights into the psyche of the Bengali middle class, which he later infused into his films.
In the early 1990s, following the death of Satyajit Ray and the inactivity of Mrinal Sen and Ritwik Ghatak, the cinema landscape was dominated by poor melodramas, leading educated audiences to turn away from theaters.
During this challenging time, Ghosh emerged as a savior. He made his debut with the children’s film ‘Hirer Angti’ in 1992, but it was his 1994 film ‘Unishe April’ that transformed Bengali cinema. Focused on the strained relationship between a classical dancer mother and her neglected doctor daughter, the film shook Bengali society. It achieved not only immense commercial success but also won two National Awards, including Best Feature Film.
Amidst the echoes of Rabindra Sangeet and classical ragas, Ghosh unveiled the hypocritical face of society through films like ‘Dahan’ (1997), ‘Asukh’ (1999), ‘Badiwali’ (1999), and ‘Utsav’ (2000). He tackled taboo subjects such as marital rape, mental insecurity, the disintegration of families during Durga Puja, and the suppressed desires of an elderly widow.
In just 17 days, he created the film ‘Raincoat’ (2004) featuring Aishwarya Rai and Ajay Devgn. His collaboration with Amitabh Bachchan in the English film ‘The Last Lear’ (2007) showcased his versatility. Over his two-decade career, he won a total of 12 National Awards.
In the final phase of his life (2010–2012), Ghosh chose to express himself fully. He became more than just a director behind the camera; he made his own body a medium for his art. This period is known as his ‘Queer Trilogy.’
‘Arekti Premer Golpo’ (2010): Directed by Kaushik Ganguly, Ghosh played the role of a gay filmmaker named Abhiram.
‘Memories in March’ (2010): Ghosh wrote the screenplay and also acted in this film.
Struggling with Type 2 diabetes and pancreatitis for a long time, Rituparno Ghosh passed away from a heart attack on May 30, 2013. Posthumously, he was awarded the highest honor, ‘Banga Vibhushan,’ by the West Bengal government.
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