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In conversation with Ray's Charulata

ERSHAD RAMGE, back from Kolkata
Those who have watched the Satyajit Ray classic Charulata (1964), featuring the tale of a lonely, bored housewife, will always remember the serene beauty ofMadhabi Mukherjee who plays the protagonist Charu. Charulata is perhaps her crowing glory but the renowned actress from West Bengal India has starred in many popular and acclaimed films such as Codhuli Belaye (1964), Mahanagar (1963), Baishey Shravan (1960), Subarnarekha (1965), Ganadeuta (1979) Bindur Chheley (1973), Street Patra (1972) and many more. In fact, for over two decades (1960-1980) Madhabi Mukherjee was one of the leading actors in Bengali cinema. The period is considered as the "golden age of Bangla cinema".
Originally named Madhuri Mukherjee, she became popular as Madhabi Mukherjee in the film industry.
Madhabi Mukherjee began her acting career in professional theatre under legendary theatre per sonalities such as Sisir Kumar Bhaduri. To quote her, "I learnt acting from the pioneers. I really enjoyed acting on stage, as the medium was very competitive."
"However, aftgf the, jn^qfiuc-tion of Group Theatre, I left the stage, as they began compromising with quality." "The standard could not be maintained under the frame ofGroupTheatre," sheadded.
Leaving theatre, she joined films. Subsequently she became one of the leading actresses in the Tollygung film industry in 1960s. Till the '70s Madhabi Mukherjee acted in over hundreds offilms.
Talking about the golden ear of Bangla cinema. Madhabi smiling reminisced, "I was quite poplar in central roles. Going abroad I saw people collecting movies in which I
had acted. Some even collected lobby cards of my films."
O n master filmmaker Satyajit Ray. the actress said, "I acted in several films directed by Satyajiy Ray and learnt a lot from him. He could truly mould ah actor."
After 1980, Madhabi'Mukherjee performed only in one feature film titled Utsab, which was released in 2000. Directed by Ritupamo Ghosh Utsab got appreciation in home and abroad. In the film she performed the protagonist character of an elderly woman. Commenting on the hiatus (of two decades) from the big screen, Madhabi Mukherjee said, "The current scenario is not like what we were used to. To me it's a downfall in the film industry."
"Most of the recent films are
substandard," she added.
On the golden era of the industry, she said, "The Bangla film industry was at its peak in the 1960s and '70s. We acted in the films directed by Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and other great directors. My peers are still considered as the legends. In those days the
Tollygung film industry was dominated by these talents. I wonder if our film industry can achieve that excellence again."
Madhabi Mukherjee has also acted in many plays on the small ^T^eq.^n Tief .words' "1 o^n-acting on TV since the inception of Kolkata Durdarshan."
But according to the veteran actress, at present she is not even acting in TV plays, labelling the current scenario as "substandard and devoid of Bengali values."
Madhabi Mukherjee informed that she is making films currently.
Throughout her illustrious acting career, Madhabi Mukherjee has received many prestigious awards at home and abroad such . asVayoshreshtha Samman given to eminent senior citizens of India.