Bikash Roy

Bikash Roy was a character actor in Bengali cinema.^[1] He attended the Presidency College of the University of Calcutta. He was a natural actor bringing out different shades and subtle nuances of different characters quite effortlessly. He was known for his character roles in Bengali films from the late 1940s till mid-1980s.^[2]

He acted in the films Uttar Phalguni, Chaddabesi, Surjyo Toron, Neel Akaser Niche, Maruthirtha Hinglaz, Jiban-Trishna. He was equally popular both at the beginning as well as during the end of his career spanning four decades; be it as a hero in the romantic comedy such as Chele Kaarin early 1950s,or as the funny grandfather-in-law [of Uttam Kumar] in "Ogo Bodhu Sundari". But, may be it was the character of the selfless barrister [Manish] whose commitment to his beloved,a courtesan (played by Suchitra Sen) in "Uttar Phalguni" for which he is chiefly and popularly remembered. A versatile actor, Bikash Roy hailed from an aristocratic family, had a Master's degree in English and later became a Bachelor of Law (LL.B). He did a number of radio plays in Akashvani and shot into fame after being cast in the role of a ruthless, tyrannic military officer in the film "42" that included stalwarts like Abhi Bhattacharyya, Manju Dey, Sambhu Mitra among others. His love for the silver screen drove him to produce and direct a number of films like "Marutirtha Hinglaj", "Raja saja" - both featuring Uttam Kumar as the leading actor, "Kerry Saheber Munshi" and "Debatar Gras", based on a famous poem of Rabindranath Tagore. His acting prowess and versatility could be gauged in films like "Ratnadeep", where he plays the role of an imposter who reforms himself, as the prodigal hero in "Naa", as the strife-torn co-protagonist in "Suryamukhi" (which he also produced), as the affluent businessman who rose from the rags in "Surjyo Toran", as a protagonist (opposite Uttam Kumar)who aspires to beat his rival but is torn within himself in "Jeeban Trishna", as a patriot in " Masterda Surjya Sen", as the patriarch in "Kach kata Hire",as a caring brother in "Dhuli", as the quiet and intense husband in "Smritituku Thak" (opposite Suchitra Sen who plays double role) and as the quarrellsome husband in "Jatugriha" (Directed by Tapan Sinha and *ing Uttam Kumar, Arundhati Devi, Binata Roy); in negative roles - "Bibhas","Agni Sanskar","Adwitiya", "Bhola Moyra" and "Kacher Swarga"; as the compassionate and humorous doctor in "Aarohi" (also directed by Tapan Sinha), as the practitioner of traditional medical knowledge and therapy in "Arogya Niketan", as a quack in "Ramer Sumati"; as the elder brother and head of the family in "Bindur Chhele", as the hapless and helpless father in "Mayamriga" in early 60s and as the proud and high-handed father in "Debdas" (*ing Soumitra Chatterjee, Sumitra Mukherjee,Uttam Kumar, Supriya Devi)in late 70s and so on. His foray in commercial plays was commendable; most worth mentioning being "Nahabat" which ran for more than 1200 nights. He pioneered the holding of stage-plays where the characters read out the play and their respective roles in front of the audience; known as 'Sruti Natak'[Audio Drama]. The most famous in this genre being "Shesher Kabita", based on a novel by Rabindranath Tagore. He remained active well into the eighties (1980s), gradually moving to cameo roles, owing to his failing health. He has two autobiographical titles to his credit - "Mone Pore" and "Aami"[Myself].

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