Actor Kali Banerjee was born on this day. His most memorable roles include Ritwik Ghatak’s Ajantrik and Nagarik, Satyajit Ray’s Parash Pathar and Mrinal Sen’s Neel Akasher Neechey. The characters he played remain remarkable for individuality and often, a sensitivity, which moves the audience deeply.
He first made his presence felt as “Totla Ganesh” in Satyen Bose’s popular comedy Barjatri (The Groom’s Party, 1951). His sense of humour and timing made the character a household name. Perhaps Banerjee’s most memorable association was with Ghatak. In Ajantrik (Unmechanical, 1958), Banerjee plays the role of Bimal, a taxi-driver in a small town who loves his old disintegrating Chevrolet, named Jagaddal by him, like a close relative and refuses to abandon it.
He died on July 5, 1993.
