Ruchira profiles three unsung Tollywood powerhouses: veteran actresses defying age, delivering impactful performances, and proving their timeless cinematic essence, exclusively for Different Truths.
These women may not have sought the limelight during their heydays, but they played crucial roles in every Tollywood film they appeared in. They portrayed divergent character roles that were sometimes emotional, often serious, and at other times comical. Everyone must acknowledge that their presence was essential to the films in which they appeared.
Now, in the twilight of their lives—all of them in their late 70s and 80s—they are rather reluctant to hang up their boots for good and have still managed to secure a few significant roles befitting their status and acting acumen, coupled with a vast fund of experience. Although age has taken a heavy toll on their health and physical appearance, each of them remains a powerhouse of energy when it comes to acting.
Let’s begin with Ratna Ghoshal, a plump lady with large, twinkling eyes, a cute nose, and a smile that plays on her face perpetually. She acted in films such as Raja Ram Mohan (a biopic), Swayamsiddha, and Mouchak—a hilarious comedy featuring the great Mahanayak Uttam Kumar and Ranjeet Mallik— and others like Achena Atithi and Ghatkali. She also starred in Sati and Paromitar Ek Din, two highly acclaimed films by Aparna Sen,
On a personal note, my favourite supporting actress from earlier decades is Lily Chakraborty. Remember, she played Lata Srivastava in the popular rib-tickling (Hindi) comedy Chupke Chupke. She was a familiar face in Uttam Kumar’s blockbuster films such as Deya Neya, Bipasha, Dui Purush, and Kalankini Kankabati. I adore her roly-poly, teddy bear-like figure—her girth has increased with the passing years—but her demeanour exudes warmth, affection, and good cheer. She seems like someone you would love to hug and cuddle.
This octogenarian veteran has recently appeared in thought-provoking (read eye-opener) films like Sanjhbati, Tumi O Tumi, Meye Manush, among others. Those familiar with the tinsel worlds of both Bollywood and Tollywood will undoubtedly notice an uncanny resemblance to the ubiquitous portly “mausi ji” (Leela Mishra), although Lily is way prettier and more graceful. Lily has also had the privilege of working with the charismatic Soumitra Chatterjee—who hardly needs an introduction—in all of the aforementioned movies.
Next on the list is Sabitri Chatterjee, who is unmistakable thanks to her large, limpid eyes, emotive face, and cascading black tresses. This petite, dusky beauty shared the screen with the Mahanayak in several memorable films, including Abhayer Biye, Abak Prithivi, Dhonni Meye, Mouchak, Shei Chokh, Punarmilan, as well as Nishi Padma (Hindi: Amar Prem). Though the Uttam Kumar-Suchitra Sen onscreen partnership became iconic (and remains so even today), yet Uttam Kumar had reportedly once opined that acting opposite ‘Sabu’ was a challenging task and one had to exercise abundant caution and precision. She was natural and spontaneous, unlike Suchitra, who was a tad melodramatic at times. Soumitra, in his turn labelled ‘Sabi’ as one of the finest actresses he had ever worked with. They featured together in old-time movies such as Malyadan, Baksa Badal, Podokkhep and Prasenjit-Rituparna starrer Praktan, to name a few. In recent years, the doe-eyed beauty has given stellar performances in films like Hemlock Society, Thammar Boyfriend, and Aamar Boss.
Picture design by Anumita Roy
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Very informative: thank you!