Rituparno Ghosh was a maverick! Isn’t it sheer injustice to his genius when contemporary media try to reduce him to only his sexuality or personal choices? However, it is unfair to view him as a one-dimensional figure; he was a true “Renaissance Man” who touched so many aspects of human life through his extraordinary talents.
Early Life
Rituparno Ghosh was born on August 31, 1963, in Kolkata. His father was Sunil Ghosh, a documentary filmmaker and painter. He went to South Point School for his schooling. He then earned a degree in economics from Jadavpur University, Kolkata. Ghosh started his professional career in the advertising industry and made his reputation as a brilliant copywriter. He crafted compelling ad campaigns, like Boroline and Frooti. After a successful career in advertising, Ghosh became a documentary filmmaker with the 1990 Doordarshan documentary on “Vande Matram.”
The Beginning
Ghosh made his directorial debut in 1992 with “Hirer Angti (The Diamond Ring).” However, it was his second feature film, “Unishe April (19 April),” starring Aparna Sen, Debashree Roy, Prosenjit Chatterjee, and Dipankar Dey, in 1994, that brought him national recognition, winning the National Film Award for Best Feature Film. This was just the beginning of a career that would garner 12 national and numerous international awards.
Rituparno Ghosh won the National Film Award for Best Screenplay for “Dahan (1997),” starring Rituparna Sengupta and Indrani Halder. Dahan was based on a true incident where a girl witnessed the molestation of another woman on a Kolkata street. The witness bravely sought justice against the perpetrators but faced frustration due to society’s indifference, including the victim’s own family.
A maverick
Rituparno Ghosh was deeply influenced by the works of Satyajit Ray and Rabindranath Tagore. These influences shaped his cinematic style, which often reflected human relationships and societal commentary. Ghosh not only explored Tagore’s works through adaptations; he also made a documentary titled “Jeevan Smriti” on Tagore’s life.
In the 1999 film “Asukh,” starring Soumitra Chatterjee and Debashree Roy, Ghosh explores the complex relationship between a young film star and her father, who reluctantly depends on her earnings. The film, which delves into themes of pride and dependency, received critical acclaim and won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali.
“Bariwali (1999)” stars Kirron Kher, Rupa Ganguly, and Chiranjeet Chakraborty and centres on a lonely middle-aged woman (Kirron Kher) who rents out her large house for film production and becomes infatuated with the married director, who ultimately disappoints her. Kirron Kher’s performance won her the National Film Award for Best Actress.
Conquering the World
Ghosh then went on to direct “Utsab (2000),” another National Award-winning movie; Titli (2002); Shubho Mahurat (2003), starring Rakhee and Sharmila Tagore alongside Nandita Das; and Aishwarya Rai’s Chokher Bali (2003), an adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore’s novel of the same name.
In 2004, Ghosh made his first Hindi film, “Raincoat,” an adaptation of O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi.” He shot the Ajay Devgan and Aishwarya Rai starrer film in just 17 days. It was widely praised for its sensitive treatment and superb adaptation of local culture and lingo. Ghosh recieved the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi for the film
His next was “Antar Mahal (2005),” with Jackie Shroff, Soha Ali Khan, and Roopa Ganguly. In 2007 he directed “The Last Lear (2007),” which told the story of a retired Shakespearean theater actor played by Amitabh Bachchan. Next came “Khela (2008),” starring Prasenjit and Manisha Koirala followed by “Shob Charitro Kalponik (2008),” which won the National Award for Best Film in Bengali; and “Abohomaan (2009),” which earned him the National Film Award for Best Director in Bengali.
Rituparno Ghosh – The Actor
Ghosh also tried his hand at acting. He made his acting debut in the Oriya film “Katha Deithilli Ma Ku (2003),” directed by Himanshu Parija. 2011 was his year of experimentation with acting, as he starred in Kaushik Ganguly’s “Arekti Premer Golpo,” where Ghosh played a transgender filmmaker who made a documentary on legendary Jatara actor “Chapal Bhaduri.” The same year he starred in Sanjay Nag’s “Memories in March” with Deepti Naval.
Rituparno Ghosh played the lead role in “Chitrangada: The Crowning Wish (2012),” which was perhaps one of his most personal films. The film is a modern retelling of a dance drama by Tagore, exploring themes of gender identity and self-acceptance. Ghosh’s performance and direction in “Chitrangada” are powerful statements on the quest for personal truth and freedom.
His last film as a director was “Satyanweshi,” based on Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay’s fictional Bengali detective series, Byomkesh Bakshi. The film was released after his untimely demise. One of his earlier films, “Sunglass (Taak Jhaank),” remained unreleased during his lifetime. The film was honored and released posthumously at the 19th Kolkata International Film Festival.
The Explorer
Known for his nuanced and layered storytelling, Rituparno Ghosh was an auteur of modern Indian cinema. His films often delved into the complexities of human relationships and societal norms. The themes in his films were as varied as they were profound and resonated with audiences and critics alike.
One of the recurring themes in Ghosh’s work was the exploration of gender identity and sexuality. His films frequently challenged societal expectations and portrayed the struggles of characters grappling with their identities in a conservative society.
Ghosh’s early films were marked by a strong feminist perspective, addressing issues that were often considered taboo by middle-class family values. He explored the issues of domestic violence and marital rape in “Dahan.” Ghosh eloquently portrayed loneliness and the unlikely yet touching human connections that emerge from it. In “Bariwali” he touched upon the loneliness and unfulfilled desires of a middle-aged woman.
His films explored the lives of the middle class, focusing on their daily struggles and inner desires. Ghosh was never a fan of cinema that featured extravagant characters or dramatic plot twists. Instead, he shows the subtle nuances of everyday life and the complexities of human relationships.
The cultural heritage of Bengal and the works of Rabindranath Tagore were also significant influences in Ghosh’s films. He often referenced Tagore’s literature and used it as a backdrop to tell contemporary stories, weaving in social commentary and personal introspection.
Its Not the End
Rituparno Ghosh was one of the few openly homosexual figures in Indian cinema. One of the hallmarks of Ghosh’s filmmaking was his exploration of gender and sexuality. He was unafraid to tackle controversial and sensitive subjects, often bringing to the forefront issues that were otherwise ignored or stigmatized in Indian society. His films were a platform for discussing and understanding the LGBTQ+ community, and he used his voice to challenge and change societal perceptions.
Rituparno Ghosh struggled with type 2 diabetes for ten years and suffered from insomnia, which required medication. He was also facing complications from hormone treatments following abdominoplasty and breast implants for his role of Chapal Bhaduri in “Arekti Premer Golpo.”
Rituparno Ghosh passed away on May 30, 2013, after a massive heart attack at the age of 49. His work is a masterclass in filmmaking, characterised by nuanced performances, elegant storytelling, and a deep empathy for his characters. Ghosh’s films continue to inspire and influence not just filmmakers but anyone who appreciates the art of cinema.
