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Bimal Roy - The Silent Master (1909 - 1966)

Biography

Bimal Roy, the Silent Master, was born into an old landholding family in former East Bengal, (Bangladesh). After his father's death, Roy was thrown out of the Zamindari by the estate manager. Young, penniless, he moved to Calcutta with his widowed mother and infant brothers.

As he struggled for work, Promothesh Barua engaged Roy as a publicity photographer. Soon, Roy was engaged as an assistant cameraman to Nitin Bose at Calcutta's reputed New Theatres Studios. His fine sense of lighting and composition won him accolades from every quarter. New Theatres classics like 'Mukti' and 'Devdas' bear his distinguished mark. Few know that Bimal Roy made two outstanding documentaries for the British Government. There is no trace of these early masterpieces. His 1956 documentary, 'Gotama the Buddha', received high praise for its plastic and moral beauty at the Cannes festival.

Roy's directorial debut, Udayer Pathey (1944), took a strong position against class discrimination. The film is a celluloid masterpiece for Bengali viewers, having broken new ground in sophisticated camerawork/ treatment, non-theatrical acting and box office records.

By late 40's several Bengali directors were forced to shift to Bombay. World War II and Partition spelt ruin for Bengali cinema. Roy too moved to the city and in 1952-53 launched Bimal Roy Productions with 'Do Bigha Zamin'. The film made a strong universal impact for its humane portrayal of Indian peasantry. It is considered one of the 10 best Indian films of all time.

'Do Bigha Zamin' has the additional distinction of being one of the first Indian films to win awards and accolades: in China, UK, Karlovi Vary, Cannes, USSR, Venice and Melbourne.

With each film he made - Sarat Chandra's charming 'Parineeta', the poignant 'Devdas', the lyrical 'Sujata', or the stunning 'Madhumati' - Bimal Roy became a name synonymous with great cinema craft, accepted not only in the cities, but in the rural districts around the country. He was a legend in his lifetime.

Bimal Roy, the 'Silent Master of Indian Cinema', ushered in the golden age of Indian Cinema in the 1940's. A socially committed director, his films had the power to inspire and move audiences. Do Bigha Zameen made 50 years ago is an eloquent portrait of displaced peasants, while Sujata took up the ever-burning issue of caste struggle.

Two important projects : 'Amrit Kumbh' and 'The Mahabharata' remain incomplete.

Bimal Roy passed away at the age of 55, leaving behind an unmatched and unequalled cinematic legacy that is India's proud, National heritage.

The saga continues with Bimal Roy Memorial events.
 

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Some of the Legends of Indian Cinema on Bimal Roy...

  • "Nobody has ever mentioned that while shooting in the suburbs of Bombay – behind his own Mohan studio, in Andheri or other selected exteriors, Bimal Roy captured the very ethos of rural Bengal. He did not need to go there.
    To me it was an education to work with him. In my formative year it was important to work with a director who lead you gently under the skin of the character. Today we have institutions, they teach cinema, acting etc. We did not have these in our times. We had instead directors like Bimal Roy. Add to this my own application as an actor. Take making Devdas. The question often while doing my role was ‘not to do’ than do anything."
    ~ Dilip Kumar
  • "Bimal Roy was Bengal’s gift to Bombay. His first film, Udayer Pathey (Hamrahi) had already established him in this region as a filmmaker of rare perfection. But the film which left a permanent impact on the Indian cinema was his Do Bigha Zamin. That was not merely an outstanding Indian film but received International recognition."
    ~ K.A. Abbas
  • "In my long experience in this industry I really have not come across another director like Bimal Roy… such commitment to cinema, to perfection. I regret we have few like him today."
    ~ Ashok Kumar
  • "If I have to name six Indian filmmakers who have left their lifelong imprint on the history of Indian Cinema I would place Bimal Roy unhesitantly as one of these six."
    ~ Hrishikesh Mukherjee
  • "Bimal Roy was himself such a conscientious filmmaker that it was natural his films would have social content and not be just populist films."
    ~ Basu Chatterjee
  • "Before we started filming Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s Biraj Bahu, Bimalda asked me how many times I had read the novel. “Twice”, I said. He told me to read it twenty times. I read it over and over again. What a revelation that was. Here was a literary character one could not play around with. One had to catch every little nuance, every cruelty inflicted on this woman. Many scenes were taken without single rehearsals at times. That was why we had done so much homework. Working with him only once as I did, I learnt so much. He was such a sensitive, beautiful human being, I wish I had a chance to work again with him. Some memories outlive others, knowing and working with Bimalda is one of those cherished , everlasting memories."
    ~ Kamini Kaushal
  • "With his very first film Udayer Pathe (Hamrahi in Hindi), Bimal Roy was able to sweep aside the cobwebs of the old tradition and introduce a realism and subtely that was wholly suited to the cinema. He was undoubtedly a pioneer. He reached his peak with a film that still reverberates in the minds of those who saw it when it was first made. I refer to Do Bigha Zamin, which remains one of the landmarks of Indian Cinema."
    ~ Satyajit Ray

Filmography

'Udayer Pathey' - 1944

Language: Bengali | Black & White

Direction, Screenplay - with Nirmal Dey , Photography
Story
Art
Music
Starring

Production

: Bimal Roy
: Jyotinmoy Roy
: Sourin Sen
: R.C. Boral
: Radhamohan Bhattacharya, Binata Roy,   Biswanath Bhaduri, Debi Mukherjee
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

Anup Kumar Lekhak, an unemployed writer, gets a job to ghostwrite public speeches for a wealthy industrialist. He meets his boss's sister, Gopa, at their palatial home .It is more than apparent that his boss's pretty sister admires Anup. Not only does the wealthy boss make Anup write his inspiring speeches for the masses, very soon he appropriates Anup's unpublished novel and publishes it in his own name. The book is an instant best seller. The industrialist brazenly takes the credit for the book that rightly belongs to Anup. One day his own sister was humiliated in the wealthy man's home. When Anup discovers this, he chucks his job and decides to migrate to the village. Before he leaves, Anup has to address a mass rally. The wealthy man's hired goondas create commotion and stone Anup, injuring him. This brings matters to head. Gopa confronts her brother. She decides to support Anup's struggle. Her bold decision for a liberal ideology that opposes the oppression of the working class dissolves class barriers and unites the young idealists.
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'Hamrahi' - 1945

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Hindi version of Udayer Pathey.
Other credits same as in Udayer Pathey, with few changes in the cast.
Direction, Screenplay & Photography
Production

: Kamal Bose.
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

Same as Udayer Pathey
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'Anjangarh' - 1948

Language: Bengali | Black & White

Direction & Screenplay
Photography
Story
Art
Music
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose, Bimal Roy
: Subodh Ghosh
: Anil Bhattacharya & Sudhendu Roy
: R.C. Boral
: Sunanda Banerjee, Devi Mukherji, Tulsi   Chakraborty, Manoranjan Bhattacharya
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

Based on a radical short story by Subodh Ghosh titled "FOSSIL", Anjangadh was another path breaking film like UDAYER PATHE. The film is a bold statement on the gradual encroachment of the powerful political lobby into the tribal belt of Bihar, with a view to dispossess the adivasis who were the original occupants of the land. A direct conflict arises between the ruling class and the tribal minority of the region. Made the year after India's independence, one cannot ignore the adroit references to India's colonial masters who had usurped power.
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'Anjangarh' - 1948

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Hindi version. Main credits same with some changes in cast.

Production
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

Same as above.
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'Mantramugdha' - 1949

Language: Bengali | Black & White

Direction, Screenplay - with Sudhish Ghatak
Photography
Story
Art
Starring


Production

: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose
: Banaphul
: Sudhendu Roy
: Mira Sarkar, Reba Devi,
  Tulsi Chakraborty, Indu Mukherji,
  Sunil Sengupta
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

Mantramugdha was a topical satire on the fall out of excessive religious rituals and superstition that is a part of Hindu practice. When a devoted wife oppresses her husband by placing him next to the Gods, he decides to teach her a lesson. On a parallel track there is a lively romantic tale … the film was one of the most hilarious comedies.
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'Pahela Admi' - 1950

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction & Screenplay
Music
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: R.C. Boral
: Smritirekha Biswas, Pahari Sanyal,   Balraj Vij, Nazir Hussain
: New Theatres

Synopsis:

A romantic love story against the backdrop of World War II, when India was involved in this mayhem. The inspiration of the story was Netaji Subhas Bose and his INA. He is an invisible presence. The climax of the film was particularly moving when the body of the young hero is brought home - and the grieving father offers it again before a life size portrait of Netaji - affirming his loyalty to the nation.
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'Maa' - 1952

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Whirshing
: Leela Chitnis, Bharat Bhushan, Nazir   Hussain, Achla Sachedev, Shyama
: Bombay Talkies

Synopsis:

Bimal Roy made his Bombay debut with Bombay Talkies' Maa. The film was said to be a free adaptation of an early Hollywood talkie titled, Over The Hills. Maa was a sentimental saga of the neglect of the elderly by one's own offsprings. The elder protagonist, Chanderbabu, a retired postmaster, has two sons. The two, Rajan & Bhanu , are poles apart in nature. Rajan, preparing for a legal career, is dominated by his wealthy wife. Bhanu still a student, has espoused the cause of Nationalism. The conflict in the narrative arises when funds are required for the elder son's entry fee. The father fails to raise this amount. Returning from the village fair, late one night Bhanu is startled by shouts of "thief, thief". He joins the race only to discover the so-called thief is his father. He exchanges his father's place. Bhanu is caught and serves a jail term. The engagement with Meena is called off. The father succumbs to this tragedy. Released at last, Bhanu is shocked to see his mother reduced to a maid. He confronts his brother and takes charge of the aged mother with Meena's help.
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'Do Bigha Zamin' - 1953

Language: Hindi | Black & White | 142 min.

Direction
Screenplay
Photography
Story & Music
Starring
Production
: Bimal Roy
: Hrishikesh Mukherji
: Kamal Bose
: Salil Chowdhury
: Balraj Sahni, Nirupa Roy
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Sambhu Mahato, like thousands from the Indian rural society, is a poor peasant. For generations, like others, he has tilled the soil. After years of drought, the peasants celebrate the monsoon. Sambhu's joy is short-lived. The powerful village zamindar, waiting to grab his land, puts up a fabricated case in the moffussil court. This ancestral land is their only source of livelihood. Sambhu is ordered to settle his earlier loans from the zamindar in just three months. Failure to do this will cost him the land. The zamindar's unreasonable demand only strengthens Sambhu's determination to save the land. He heads for Calcutta where thousands migrate to earn. The great city overwhelms them. One misfortune follows another. Sambhu lives in a bustee with poor migrants. An old rickshaw-puller takes him under his wings and teaches him important lessons to pull the vehicle. Son, Kanhaiya, contributes from his earnings as a shoe shine boy. Sambhu's wife, Parvati, works as construction labour. With all this help, Sambhu is confident of victory but a serious accident dries up his hard earned funds. In another accident Kanhaiya looses his shoe shine box. They grow desperate as time draws near to pay the zamindar's loan. After days of illness, when Sambhu resumes work, he is stunned to find the unconscious body of his wife, Parvati - knocked down by a speeding car. Kanhaiya tries his hand at pickpocket and the poor landless peasant's family reunites once again in the vast metropolis only to realize that their beloved land has gone forever.
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'Parineeta' - 1953

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story
Screenplay
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose
: Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
: Nabendu Ghose
: Ashok Kumar, Meena Kumari,
  Asit Baran, Pratima Devi
: Ashok Kumar Productions

Synopsis:

Lalita and Sekhar are neighbours. Sekhar's daily needs, in fact, are looked after by Lalita. Occasionally, Sekhar gives her language lessons or bullies her to carry out chores. Lalita's uncle, Gurucharan, is a poor Brahmin. He borrowed money for his daughter's marriage from Sekhar's father - their wealthy neighbour. This becomes a bone of contention between the two. Further complications follow when Girin, a kindly Brahmo relative, offers to repay the debt. This turns into a caste issue. Unknown to all, Lalita and Sekhar secretly marry. Soon after this, her uncle dies. On his deathbed, Gurucharan makes Girin promise to marry Lalita and take charge of the family. Girin proposes to Lalita and learns the truth. He marries her younger cousin instead. An invitation to Sekhar's marriage shocks Lalita. Girin brings Lalita to Calcutta. There he confronts Sekhar with the truth, and clears old misunderstandings.
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'Naukari' - 1954

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Story
Music
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Subodh Basu
: Salil Chowdhury
: Kishore Kumar, Sheela Ramani,
  Achla Sachdev
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Although his sister is terminally ill, and their family in doldrums, the news of becoming a graduate make Ratan ecstatic. He believes a job awaits him and soon his sister and aged mother will see better days. With this dream, Ratan arrives in Calcutta. A friend of his father had promised him a job. In the hostel he comes across jobless young men who make a quaint but hilarious world. Amongst others, there is a poet writing atrocious verse, flirting with neighbourhood maidens. There is Gyan Sen, the younger brother of Taan Sen, who inflicts his raga on others. And there is Haria, the faithful old servant who cheers Ratan with his unmusical songs. Then there is the sweet Seema who seems to find inspiration to study at the window facing Ratan's room. Needless to say, Ratan falls hopelessly in love with her. The course of true love never runs smooth. Seema's father rejects jobless Ratan's proposal. Ratan's quest for a job brings him to Bombay. A new series of experiences and adventures await him. Ratan views life in its richly-variegated colours -- experiencing situations that are comic, sad and sometimes bitter. Though life wears down Ratan's naďve enthusiasm, he does not abandon hope. He has a steely determination to overcome every obstacle.
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'Biraj Bahu' - 1954

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story
Art
Music
Screenplay
Starring
Production
: Bimal Roy
: Dilip Gupta
: Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
: Sudhendu Roy
: Salil Chowdhury
: Nabendu Ghose
: Kamini Kaushal, Abhi Bhattacharya
: Hiten Chaudhuri Productions

Synopsis:

Sarat Chandra Chatterjee's novel Biraj Bou , juxtaposes two brothers who are opposite in nature - and their wives, who share a common home. Biraj, the wife of the older brother Nilambar , is a paragon of beauty and virtue. Her immense confidence comes from the fact, that she is adored by her husband. Over property matters the two brothers fall out. Nilambar, the dreamer, is also a singer at funerals or festivals. He can barely keep body and soul together. Biraj supports him by making dolls. Her brilliant beauty shines through the tattered rags attracting the crafty, young zamindar. One night, she is abducted by him. Nilambar is heart broken but helpless. Biraj is later cast aside by the zamindar. After great hardship, and failing health she finds her way home. Biraj dies in peace, with the assurance that Nilambar's love for her had never changed.
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'Baap Beti' - 1954

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Music
Screenplay
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Roshan
: Nabendu Ghose
: Ranjan, Baby Tabassum, Madhuri,
  Baby Naaz
: Munshi Productions

Synopsis:

Meena is a new girl to join the Girl's residential school. Maya, Radha and a few others become friends but others resent Meena .This inevitably leads to girlish quarrels. The day letters arrive from home, there is great excitement & speculation. Most girls receive letters from both parents. Meena is taunted as no letters come from her father. Cornered by her class mates, Meena promises that her father's letter will come. She appeals to her mother to tell her the father's address so that she could write to him. Meena had never seen her father. According to her mother he lived far away. Meena's mother does not reply to the letter. Meanwhile, a few girls insult her, making her very sad. One evening she sat in a secluded corner and wept her heart out. Biswanath Babu, the old school clerk hears the truth and promise to help her. He writes letters as her father which Meena reads to the girls. This takes care of the situation - but not for long. When some particularly mean girls want to actually meet Meena's father, things go out of control - until dame luck smiles on the fatherless girl.
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'Devdas' - 1955

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Story
Screenplay
Photography
Art
Music Lyrics
Editing
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay
: Nabendu Ghose
: Kamal Bose
: Sudhendu Roy
: Sachin Dev Burman
: Hrishikesh Mukherjee
: Dilip Kumar, Suchitra Sen,
  Vyjayantimala, Motilal
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Caste consideration and family prestige overshadows Devdas's love for Parvati. Devdas, a weak, vacillating man, fails to take a bold stand to marry Parvati. Parvati is married off to a wealthy widower. Devdas returns to Calcutta with a broken heart and a sense of guilt. He tries to escape in excessive drinking, wallowing in self-pity and the 'sin' of living with Chandramukhi, a prostitute. Chandramukhi's selfless love nurses him back to health more than once. Devdas however cannot get over his childhood love for Parvati. In the final hours of his terminal illness, Devdas takes the last journey - to die at Parvati's doorstep.
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'Madhumati' - 1958

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story & Screenplay
Music & Lyrics
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Dilip Gupta
: Ritwik Ghatak
: Salil Chowdhury
: Dilip Kumar, Vyjayantimala, Pran,
  Johny Walker
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Landslide forces Devendra (Dilip Kumar) and his doctor friend to take refuge in an abandoned country mansion. In that unlit mysterious place Devendra recalls his previous life and experiences in the same hill station. He remembers how he had fallen in love with the beauty of the hills and with lovely Madhumati, the daughter of a tribal chieftain. Ugranarayan, the dissolute owner of the timber estate where Anand (or Devendra) had worked as the manager abducts Madhumati. The incident drove her to commit suicide. Inconsolable, Anand too commits suicide. As the flashback comes to an end, Devendra's chauffeur brings news that the road is clear but the train his wife was traveling in had met with an accident. Devendra rushes to the station. His wife, Radha, who resembles his lost love, Madhumati, is unharmed and safe with their child.
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'Yahudi' - 1958

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story
Screenplay
Art
Music & Lyrics
Starring


Production
: Bimal Roy
: Dilip Gupta
: Agha Hasr Kashmiri
: Nabendu Ghose
: Sudhendu Roy
: Shankar Jaikishan
: Sohrab Modi, Dilip Kumar,
  Meena Kumari, Nigar Sultana,
  Baby Naaz, Kamala Laxman
: Savak Vatcha Productions

Synopsis:

The story is set in Rome, then ruled by the tyrant, Brutus. During a victory march of the Emperor - a few pebbles are aimed at Brutus' head. The culprit is discovered to be a little Jewish boy - he is at once ordered to be served as a meal to the lions. The boy's father, an old Jew, is insulted by the Romans. As revenge the Jew's slave kidnaps Brutus's daughter, Hannah. She grows up in a Jewish home, ignorant about her past. The Roman, Mareus, falls in love with Hannah. The old Jew sends him away. Hannah recognizing Mareus at his wedding with Octavia charges him with deception, and a breach of promise to marry her. Later she withdraws her charge but by then Mareus admits his guilt and blinds himself. Hannah becomes his partner for life.
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'Sujata' - 1959

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story
Screenplay
Art
Music & Lyrics
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose
: Subodh Ghosh
: Nabendu Ghose
: Sudhendu Roy
: Sachin Dev Burman
: Sunil Dutt, Nutan, Shashikala, Lalita   Pawar
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Sujata, a little infant, is discovered after the outbreak of an epidemic in a Harijan colony. She is adopted by the kind Upendranath Choudhury and his wife, Charu. Sujata becomes a lively companion for their only daughter, Rama. She grows up into a sensitive and charming young woman. Adhir, the nephew of a relative, is being considered a prospective bridegroom for Rama. Adhir, on the other hand, falls in love with the serene Sujata. This puts the Brahim family in a terrible quandary. At that point Charu, the foster mother, decides to reveal Sujata's real identity, to make it public that she is born of low caste parents. Unable to bear the torment and strife in her foster family, Sujata decides to leave. Strange circumstances prove that she is as much a daughter as the biological one - and, it is only Sujata's blood that can save her foster mother. In the end, all caste prejudices are thrown aside for a happy ending.
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'Parakh' - 1960

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story & Music
Art
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose
: Salil Chowdhury
: Sudhendu Roy
: Sadhana, Vasanta Chowdhury, Motilal,   Durga Khote, Leela Chitnis
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

The postmaster of Radhanagar, a remote village, receives a. cheque of 5 lakh from one Sir J.C. Roy. The cheque comes with strict conditions. That it should be given to the most honest man of that village. The simple postmaster spends a sleepless night worrying what to do with the cheque. Finally he decides to call a meeting of five village elders and put matters in their hand. The men fail to reach an agreement. Overnight, the peace and quiet of the village is shattered. Greed forces all the powerful men to proclaim their honesty. The poor villagers are confused by the spirit of sacrifice and social service displayed by all the candidates. Only the schoolmaster, Rajat, an active social worker and very popular, does not indulge in such acts of sham bravado. Some try to spread nasty rumors about Rajat. But in the end it's the fair and honest schoolmaster who is rewarded.
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'Prempatra' - 1962

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Music
Starring

Production
: Bimal Roy
: Salil Chowdhury
: Sadhana, Shashi Kapoor, Seema,   Chand Usmani
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

A promising medical student, Arun, is denied a scholarship to England because his co-student, Kavita, accuses him of intimidation. However Arun manages overseas funds and in the process becomes engaged to Tara, whose father funds Arun. Tara and Arun have never met. Their love letters slowly seal the beautiful relationship. Arun believes that Tara is a perfect life partner for him. But the wounds from his former classmate, Kavita, have not healed. In fact, he nurtures a deep-seated hatred for her. Unknown to Arun, Tara and Kavita are cousins. And the real Tara is not what Arun imagines. Stranger still is the fact that it is Kavita who writes the love letters to Arun on Tara's behalf. This situation gets complicated with deceptions and deepening mysteries. All misunderstandings are finally resolved when the truth comes out of the closet.
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'Bandini' - 1963

Language: Hindi | Black & White

Direction
Photography
Story
Music
Starring
Production
: Bimal Roy
: Kamal Bose
: Jarasandha
: Sachin Dev Burman
: Nutan, Dharmendra, Ashok Kumar
: Bimal Roy Productions

Synopsis:

Set in the women's ward of a gloomy prison, the film reveals the tragic circumstances that forced Kalyani to commit a heinous crime for which she is serving a prison sentence. The young prison doctor, a man with progressive views, would like to marry her, but Kalyani cannot make her decision. She cares for the freedom fighter, who had made a deep impression on her youthful, romantic mind. He promised to marry her and then disappeared until their fateful meeting in a public hospital where she discovers him by accident as a married man. Kalyani's moral dilemma and her struggle for social legitimacy make a poignant tale of profound significance in a culture where gender justice remains a distant dream.
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As Cameraman/ & Assistant Cameraman for Documentaries:
How Kerosene tins are made
Grand Trunk Road
Bengal famine
: 1932/33
: 1932/33
: 1943
As Cameraman/ & Assistant Cameraman for Feature Films
Nalla Thangal
Devdas
Meera
Grihadaha
Maya
Mukti
Chambe di Kali
Barididi
Abnhinetri
Udayer Pathey
Hamrahi
: 1934
: 1935
: 1936
: 1936
: 1936
: 1937
: 1938
: 1939
: 1940
: 1944
: 1946