Rituparno Ghosh…..cinema with a signature!

Veteran director and writer Rituparno Ghosh

Rituparno Ghosh breathed his last breath this morning in his own residence in South Kolkata. He was only 49. Although the master is no more, but his legendary pieces of work still remains afresh in our minds. With a creative experience in the field of advertising, Rituparno shot to fame with his first film titled ‘Hirer Angti’ in 1994. The same year saw the release of Aparna Sen-Debasree Roy starrer Unishe April that revolved around the complexities of a mother and her daughter. This film also got Ghosh is 1^st National Film award. In 1997, Dahan released; the film was based on true incidents of molestation and eve teasing on the roads of Kolkata. Actresses Indrani Haldar and Rituparna Sengupta were adjudged as winners of best actress for this film. The next best film to won acclaims was Asukh in 1999 that revolved around the insecurities and helplessness of a father who was a dependant on his celebrity daughter.

Ghosh also directed Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in Chokher Bali in 2003 which was based on the lines of Rabindranath Tagore’s famous novel. Raincoat based on O Henry’s famous story Gift of the Magi came in 2004 which saw B-town biggies of the likes of Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya once again. Antarmahal starring Jackie Shroff, Soha ali khan and Roopa Ganguly in 2005 was based on the story of feudal India during British times. Rituparno Ghosh also worked with superstar Amitabh Bachchan in The Last Lear where the veteran actor played the role of a retired theatre actor.
In 2009, Ghosh received his 12^th National Film award for the best director for his film Abohaman. Among other commendable pieces of work done by him are Dosor in 2006, Bariwali in 1999 that received accolades in the Berlin Film festival, Utsab, Titli, Subho Mahurat, Shob Charirtro Kalpanik starring Bipasha Basu and Noukadubi. His last directorial flick was Chitrangada. Ghosh has also been a part of television reality shows in Bengali. Rituda, as he is popularly known as, has always been known for the precision that he brings to every character and scenes in his films.
On his last journey today, Rituparno Ghosh, a winner of several national and international film awards, lies still. His exit might have been sudden and shocking, but his art and cinema has and will always remain dynamic, real and close to our hearts. May he rest in peace!