Thaindian News

Kolkata, May 23 (IANS) Eminent film critic, academic and director Chidananda Dasgupta died at his home here late Sunday night following old-age complications. He was 89. Dasgupta was the father of actress-filmmaker Aparna Sen.

He was suffering from acute broncho pneumonia and Parkinson’s disease, doctors said.

Dasgupta was a multi-faceted talent, who started off as a college lecturer, then switched to advertising but made his name as a film critic and historian.

Alongside doyens like Satyajit Ray and Bansi Chandragupta, he founded the country’s first film society dedicated to feature films - Calcutta Film Society - in 1947 soon after independence.

The society was the harbinger of the new wave cinema in the country, playing an important role in making world cinema accessible to Indian viewers and also started the film society movement.

Later, Dasgupta played a leading role in setting up the Federation of Film Societies of India, which also contributed to enhancing the cinematic sense among budding directors, actors and film goers.

He wrote over 2,000 articles on cinema in several periodicals and magazines, and in 1980 authored “The Cinema of Satyajit Ray” which is regarded as one of the most authentic research on the film maestro.

Dasgupta directed seven films “The Stuff Of Steel” (1969), “The Dance of Shiva” (1968), “Portrait of a City” (1961), “Amodini” (1994), “Zaroorat Ki Purti” (1979), “Rakhto” (1973) and “Bilet Pherat” (1972).

He was given the lifetime achievement award at the Osian Film Festival in 2004.