Charu Roy
Charu Roy | |
|---|---|
| Born | 6 September 1890[1] Berhampore, Bengal Presidency, British India |
| Died | 28 September 1971 [1] Calcutta, West Bengal, India |
| Occupations | Film director, actor, painter |
| Years active | (लगभग) 1920s–1930s (silent & early sound) |
| Known for | Bangalee (1936), Shiraz (1928)[2] |
Charu Roy (6 September 1890 – 28 September 1971) was an Indian film director, actor, painter, and cultural figure active during the silent and early sound eras of Indian (especially Bengali) cinema.[3]
Born in Berhampore (now in West Bengal), Roy studied geology and graduated from Presidency College, Calcutta. He was also a painter, cartoonist, and writer, deeply involved in the Bengal School of Art.
Career
Roy worked as an actor, director, costume designer, and art director. As actor, he acted in the silent film Shiraz (1928) playing Prince Khurram (later Emperor Shah Jahan).[4][5]
As director: He directed many films, including Bigraha, Kuhu-o-Keka, Bangalee (1936), and Pathik (1939).[6]
Beyond cinema, Roy was a painter trained in the Kalighat style and contributed to Bengali modern art. He was also a cartoonist for prominent Bengali publications.
Personal life
He married Maya Roy in 1919, and they had at least one son, Mukul. Later in life, he continued his artistic work despite financial challenges, and passed away in Calcutta in 1971.
Filmography
As director
- Loves of a Mughal Prince (1928)
- Bigraha (1930)
- Swami (1931)
- Chorekanta (1931)
- Rajnati Basantsena
- Diljani (1935)
- Daku Ka Ladka (1935)
- Kuhu-o-Keka (1936)
- Graher Pher (1936)
- Bangalee (1936)
- Pathik (1939)[7]
As actor
- Shiraz film (1928)[8]
- A Throw of Dice (1929)
- Loves of a Moghul Prince (1928)
Legacy
Charu Roy is remembered as a pioneer in blending visual art with early Indian cinema. His film Bangalee is noted for its realist portrayal of middle-class Bengali life.[9]
References
- ^ a b "Charu Roy – Wikidata". Wikidata. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Bradshaw, Peter (February 2018). "Shiraz: A Romance of India review – 90-year-old epic stands test of time". The Guardian. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Charu Roy". British Film Institute. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Moore, Roger (9 August 2020). "Silent Film Review: "Shiraz: A Romance of India (1928)"". Movie Nation. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Stimpson, Mansel. "Shiraz: A Romance of India". Film Review Daily. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Rajadhyaksha, Ashish (2009). Encyclopaedia of Indian Cinema. Oxford University Press. p. 174.
- ^ "Charu Roy Filmography". IndianCine.ma. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ "Restoring the romance of India". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 December 2022. Retrieved 21 November 2025.
- ^ Datta, Rahul (2011). "Early Masters of Indian Silent Cinema". Journal of South Asian Film History: 45–52.