Mumbai, August 6: Kesto Mukherjee, born on August 7, 1925, in Kolkata, is celebrated as one of the notable actors in Hindi cinema. He carved a significant niche in the hearts of audiences through his portrayal of minor yet impactful roles. His innocent face and unique acting as a drunkard remain memorable to this day. However, his journey to success was far from easy. During his struggling days, he knocked on the doors of many prominent filmmakers, leading to an interesting anecdote involving the renowned director Bimal Roy, who once asked him to imitate a dog’s bark.
Kesto was born into a humble Bengali family and developed a passion for acting early on. He actively participated in school and local plays, gradually strengthening his theatrical skills. During this time, he met the famous filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak, who recognized his talent and offered him a role in his Bengali film ‘Nagrik.’
Although the film was completed in 1952, it was not released until 1977. Following this, Kesto appeared in films like ‘Ajayantrik’ and ‘Bari Theke Palie.’ While these projects brought him recognition, they did not significantly improve his financial situation.
In search of better opportunities, Kesto left Kolkata for Mumbai, where his struggles intensified. He frequented various film studios in search of work. During this time, he managed to meet Bimal Roy, who was busy with a shoot. After a long wait, when they finally met, Roy informed him that there were no available roles at the moment and suggested he return later. However, Kesto remained persistent.
It is said that Bimal Roy asked him, “Can you bark like a dog?” After a brief pause, Kesto began to imitate a dog’s bark, astonishing everyone present. Impressed by his talent, Bimal Roy decided to offer him a role.
Kesto gained further recognition with the film ‘Musafir’ directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. He continued to work consistently in films thereafter.
The turning point in Kesto Mukherjee’s career came when director Asit Sen cast him as a drunkard in the film ‘Maa Aur Mamta.’ He portrayed this role so effortlessly that it became his signature character. Whenever a drunken role was needed in Hindi films, Kesto’s name was the first to come to mind. However, he did not limit himself to such roles. He showcased his versatility in memorable films like ‘Padosan,’ ‘Bombay to Goa,’ ‘Sholay,’ ‘Chupke Chupke,’ ‘Khubsoorat,’ ‘Golmaal,’ ‘Piya Ka Ghar,’ ‘Zanjeer,’ and ‘Naseeb,’ among others. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he acted in over 90 films.
His portrayal of a drunkard was so convincing that many believed he consumed alcohol before shooting. However, his son Bablu Mukherjee clarified in an interview that Kesto never drank for his roles. He learned the nuances of his characters by observing people in everyday life.
Kesto Mukherjee received several nominations for Best Comedian at the Filmfare Awards for his outstanding performances. Ultimately, in 1981, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Performance in a Comic Role for the film ‘Khubsoorat.’ Tragically, he suffered severe injuries in a road accident in February 1982. Despite medical treatment, his condition did not improve, and he passed away in March 1982 at the young age of 56.
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