Ritwik Ghatak (1925-1976)

Ritwik Ghatak scripted 17 feature films of which nine were released and eight were abandoned. He did minor roles in six feature films including three of his own - 'Subarnarekha', 'Titash Ekti Nadir Naam' and 'Jukti Takko Aar Gappo'. His first film was 'Bedeni'. He had to abandon this due to a camera-flaw. He had to give up many projects. Among them is his abandoned documentary on Indira Gandhi in 1972. He made an ad film for Imperial Tobacco to complete 'Subarnarekha'. Other memorable films he had to abandon are 'Kato Ajanarey' (1959) and 'Bagalaar Bangadarshan' in 1964-65. The most creative period in Ritwik's career was between 1952 and 1967. It began with 'Nagarik', followed by 'Ajantrik', 'Bari Thekey Paliye', 'Meghe Dhaka Tara', 'Komal Gandhar' and 'Subarnarekha'. Among his memorable documentaries are 'Orson' (1955), 'Ustad Allauddin Khan' (1963), 'Fear' (1964-65) and 'Scientists of Tomorrow' (1967). He wrote the story of Bimal Roy's 'Madhumati'.

(Mini Biography by journalist and author Shoma A Chatterji. She has authored 16 published books of which seven are on cinema, five are on gender issues, three are short fiction and one is urban history. Shoma has won the National Award for the Best Writing on cinema twice. Her lucid narratives reflect her immense knowledge and passion for movies.)