Kaushik Ganguly is an Indian film director, screenwriter and actor. He is mainly known for his work in the Bengali film industry. In 2023, she played the role of Rathin Banerjee in the Bengali web series ‘Rajneeti,’ which aired on the OTT platform Hoichoi.
Wiki/Biography
Kaushik Ganguly was born on Sunday, August 4, 1968 (age 55 years; in 2023) in Kolkata, West Bengal. He attended Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya, Narendrapur. He pursued a master’s degree in Bengali literature and a B. Ed. at Jadavpur University, Kolkata, West Bengal. While pursuing his undergraduate studies, he started a theater troupe with Suman Mukhopadhyay (who later became a film director) and Churni Ganguly (whom Kaushik later married).
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 9″
Hair Color: Salt & Pepper
Eye Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Sunil Ganguly, is a famous guitarist.
Kaushik Ganguly’s father, Sunil Ganguly
Wife & Children
On 16 January 1993, he married Churni Ganguly, who is an actress and film director.
Kaushik Ganguly wedding pictures
She has a son named Ujaan Ganguly, who is a popular Bengali actor.
Kaushik Ganguly with his wife and son
Relationships/Affairs
Kaushik Ganguly and Churni met each other at Jadavpur University, where Churni was pursuing a master’s degree while Kaushik was studying for his B.Ed. While studying there, they started working together in a theater group and soon fell in love. They dated for several years and then decided to get married after completing their studies.
Career
Screenwriter
Kaushik Ganguly started his career in the Bengali film industry in 1987 by working as a screenwriter for Telugu films. However, he later moved into the Bengali film industry and wrote screenplays for various Bengali films. Some of the most famous films written by Ganguly include ‘Shunyo E Buke’ (2005), ‘Jackpot’ (2009), ‘Arekti Premer Golpo’ (2010), ‘Rang Milanti’ (2011), and ‘Laptop’ (2012).
‘Rang Milanti’ movie poster
Director
Television
In 1995, Kaushik Ganguly started working for ETV Bangla as a director and directed various TV serials and telefilms. Her telefilms ‘Ushnatar Janye,’ ‘Ulka,’ and ‘Aatithi’ are based on lesbianism and sex determination. He later directed various TV shows and telefilms including ‘Hariharan,’ ‘Shesh Kritya,’ ‘De-Ray,’ ‘Bandhobi,’ and ‘Bagh Nokh.’
Movie
He made his directorial debut in the film industry with the Bengali film ‘Waarish’ in 2004.
‘Waarish’ movie poster
He rose to fame after directing his second film ‘Shunyo E Buke’ (2005). In 2010, he directed the film ‘Arekti Premer Golpo,’ which was the first queer-based film after the Delhi High Court declared certain sections of Section 377 (on gay sex) of the Indian Penal Code invalid in July 2009. His film ‘ Cinemawala’ (2016) was a tribute to the single screen cinema hall which has become a rarity in India. In 2017, he directed the film ‘Nagarkirtan’ which depicts the real-life struggles faced by the LGBTQ community as they confront age-old prejudices and societal taboos that have existed for hundreds of years.
‘Nagarkirtan’ movie poster
Some other notable films directed by Ganguly include ‘Jackpot’ (2009), ‘Laptop’ (2012), ‘Bishorjan’ (2017), ‘Lokkhi Chele’ (2022), and ‘Ardhangini’ (2023).
Actor
Movie
In 2008, Ganguly appeared in the Bengali film ‘Chalo Let’s Go’ where he played the role of Anando. He played the role of Partha in the movie ‘Laptop’ (2012). His performance as Ganesh Mandal in the film ‘Bishorjan’ (2017) earned him immense praise from the audience. In 2019, he played the lead role in the movie ‘Shankar Mudi.’
‘Shankar Mudi’ movie poster
He played the role of Rashid Ali in the film ‘Bismillah’ starring Riddhi Sen. He has acted in many more films such as ‘Notobor Notout’ (2010), ‘Nirbashito’ (2014), ‘Drishtikone’ (2018), ‘Tarikh’ (2019) and ‘Kaberi Antardhan’ (2023).
Web Series
Apart from films, Ganguly has also appeared in several web series. In 2022, he played the lead role of Soumendrakrishna Deb in the Bengali web series ‘Tiktiki,’ which aired on the OTT platform Hoichoi. In the same year, he appeared in the web series ‘Prankenstein,’ which was released on Klikk. He played the role of Dindayal Biswas in the web series ‘Shikarpur’ (2023), on ZEE5. Her performance in the web series ‘Rajneeti’ (2023), in Hoichoi, received huge appreciation from the audience.
‘Rajneeti’ web series poster
Awards, Honors, Achievements
- In 2012, he received the award for Best Feature Film in Bengali for his film ‘Shabdo’ at the 60th National Film Awards.
- In 2013, he won the IFFI Best Director Award for the film ‘Apur Panchali’ at the 44th International Film Festival of India.
- He was nominated for Best Director for the film ‘Shabdo’ at the Filmfare Awards East in 2014.
- In 2014, he won the Best Film Critics’ Choice award for ‘Shabdo’ at the Filmfare Awards East.
- She was nominated for the Best Supporting Actress award for the film ‘Kangal Malsat’ at the Filmfare Awards East in 2014.
- In 2015, he received the National Film Award for Best Film on Other Social Issues for the film ‘Chotoder Chobi.’
- He won the IFFI ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal in 2015 at the 46th International Film Festival of India for the film ‘Cinemawala.’
Kaushik Ganguly with IFFI ICFT UNESCO Gandhi Medal
- In 2017, he won the award for Best Feature Film in Bengali for the film ‘Bishorjan’ at the 64th National Film Awards.
- He won the Special Jury Award (feature film) at the National Film Awards in 2018 for the film ‘Nagarkirtan.’
- He received the award for Best Original Screenplay at the 67th National Film Awards in 2021 for the film ‘Jyeshthoputro.’
- He won the Best Director award at the 4th Filmfare Awards Bangla for the movie ‘Jyeshthoputro’ in 2021.
Facts/Trivia
- Kaushik Ganguly wanted to pursue a career in the film industry since he was a child. In an interview, he revealed that he wrote his first script when he was in 9th grade.
- Before stepping into the film and television industry, Ganguly worked as a school teacher. In an interview, he revealed this and said,
I started my career as a teacher. For five years, I was with St James and for the next three years, I taught at St Xavier’s.”
- He was the first person to portray the problems faced by the LGBTQA community in Bengali television production by directing telefilms like ‘Ushnatar Janye,’ ‘Ulka,’ and ‘Aatithi.
- Ganguly’s wife has appeared in most of his films. In the film ‘Lokkhi Chele,’ he collaborated with his wife and son. However, he later clarified in an interview that he had never made a film specifically with the intention of featuring his family in the cast. He further mentioned that the Bengali film industry has many filmmakers who create films solely to showcase their own families.
I can’t make a film with family members in mind. Yes, there are directors and producers who make bad movies just to throw their family away. I believe acting should come naturally.”
- In 2017, a Calcutta High Court advocate sent a letter of complaint to CBFC chairman Prasoon Joshi in which he threatened to file a case against CBFC in court if they certified Kaushik’s film ‘Nagarkirtan’ for release in theatres. In an interview, the lawyer asserted that the content of the film was against the Constitution. He said,
If the film is certified, it will be shown in theaters. But the content of the film is against the framework of the Constitution and the protection provided by it. “
- In response to the complaint issued against the CBFC regarding his film ‘Nagarkirtan,’ the filmmaker in an interview said that the certificate for the film will be issued once the film is watched and appreciated by the advisory panel members. While talking about this in an interview, Kaushik said,
People should not disrespect CBFC by issuing such tweets and letters. This is a serious and sensitive film. It is a love story that aims not to harm any community or religion. People should have enough faith in me, considering my filmography. The advisory panel members have seen the film and loved it. The certificate will be issued soon.”
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
