That actor of Indian cinema, became famous in foreign countries with one role, has made a unique record

New Delhi: In the year 1984, a film was released, titled ‘A Passage to India’, which was directed by David Lean. The actor who played the role of Dr. Aziz Ahmed in this film was highly appreciated. Foreign cinema took his character seriously and appreciated him a lot. The name of this actor is Partho Sarathi i.e. Victor Banerjee, who is turning 78 on October 15.

Victor Banerjee received many awards for ‘A Passage to India’. He was nominated for the BAFTA Award for this role in 1986, and was also given the Evening Standard British Film Award and the NBR Award (National Board Review, USA). Victor Banerjee was awarded the ‘Show-a-Rama Award’ by the Motion Picture Association of America in April 1985 as ‘New International Star’.

Worked with domestic and foreign directors
Victor was born in a prosperous family. He is quite educated. They are also descendants of kings. He completed his schooling from St. Edmund’s School, Shillong and graduated in English Literature from St. Xavier’s College, Calcutta. He then obtained a post graduation degree from Jadavpur University. Victor Banerjee has worked in Hindi, Bengali and English language films. Famous directors from India and abroad are included in their list. Showed his talent on screen under the tutelage of directors like Roman Polanski, James Ivory, Sir David Lean, Jerry London, Ronald Neem, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, Satyajit Ray and Ram Gopal Varma.

(Photo courtesy: IANS)

Played an amazing character in ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’
Victor Banerjee was different from the beginning. Very outspoken and does as per his wish. He turned down a scholarship to Trinity College, Dublin. He was selected as an opera tenor i.e. male male singer through the Irish Christian Brothers. According to IANS report, he was the lead tenor in the Calcutta Light Opera Group’s production of ‘Desert Song’ and also played the role of ‘Jesus’ in Bombay Theatre’s first musical performance ‘Godspell’. This actor also played a wonderful character in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Shatranj Ke Khiladi’. Was also seen in ‘Joggers Park’ in 2003.

Must watch his movies once
Victor Banerjee is the only person from India to win ‘National Awards’ in three different categories. He also won the ‘Gold Award’ at the ‘Houston International Film Festival’ as a cinematographer for the documentary ‘Where No Journey’s End’. He won the directorial award for the best tourism documentary ‘The Splendor of Garhwal and Roopkund’ and won the ‘Best Supporting Actor’ award for his work in Satyajit Ray’s ‘Ghare Baire’.

Keep taking part in social work also
Victor is true to his name. Always first in social work. When he is not in Calcutta, he is in the valleys of Uttarakhand. He has written short stories and has been writing articles on different subjects in many magazines, journals and newspapers. Has involved himself in human rights and labor issues from time to time. He helped form the Screen Extra Union of India and also campaigned for the rights of Garhwali farmers. Srimanto is the ‘brand ambassador’ of the Sankardev movement. A movement that is reviving the Neo-Vaishnava culture first introduced in Assam in the 15th century. He is also the ‘brand ambassador’ of the ‘Dimasa tribe’, one of the Sino-Tibetan tribes living in the Eastern Himalayas. Victor Banerjee has a huge personality. He was also awarded Padma Bhushan by the government in 2022.

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