Victor Banerjee, Actor
Actor

Victor Banerjee

Born 19 February 1946 · West Bengal

Winning the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Ghare Baire in 1984.

Victor Banerjee is an Indian actor who appears in English, Hindi, Bengali and Assamese language films. He has worked with directors such as Roman Polanski, James Ivory, Sir David Lean, Jerry London, Ronald Neame, Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen, Shyam Benegal, and Montazur Rahman Akbar. He won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for the film Ghare Baire. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award, in 2022 for his contribution to cinema by the Indian Government in the field of art.

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A detail that
surprised us

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Victor Banerjee was the first Asian actor to portray God in British theatre during the 1988 York Mystery Plays.

The Story

1
🎭 In 1977, Victor Banerjee starred in Satyajit Ray's "Shatranj Ke Khilari," marking his profound entry into Indian cinema rooted in Bengali culture.
2
🌍 In 1984, his role as Dr. Aziz Ahmed in David Lean's "A Passage to India" brought him international acclaim, earning him a BAFTA nomination and awards from the Evening Standard and National Board Review.
3🏆 Victor won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in the 1984 Bengali film "Ghare Baire," directed by Satyajit Ray, cementing his stature in Indian cinema.
4In the late 1970s, Victor Banerjee established The Calcutta Art Gallery, the first commercial art gallery in Kolkata, showcasing his dedication to visual arts beyond acting.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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National Film Award

🔍 One thing most people don't know

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In 1985, Victor Banerjee received the "Show-a-Rama Award" from the Motion Picture Association of America as a "New International Star," reflecting early Western recognition of his talent.

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Through the Years

5 photographs from the archives
Victor Banerjee attending the 39th International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa (2008)
Victor Banerjee attending the 39th International Film Festival of India in Panaji, Goa (2008)
2008
Victor Banerjee felicitated by IFFI Director Shankar Mohan at the North East Films closing ceremony in Panaji (2013)
Victor Banerjee felicitating Assamese film actress Seema Biswas at IFFI North East Films closing ceremony in Panaji (2013)
Victor Banerjee felicitating Assamese filmmaker Utpal Borpujari at IFFI North East Films closing ceremony in Panaji (2013)
Victor Banerjee with international jury members at the closing ceremony of IFFI in Panaji, Goa (2013)

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Jalalpur, Bengal Presidency
Victor Banerjee was born in Jalalpur, present-day West Bengal, into a Bengali Zamindar family with royal lineage.
1946
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Career
Breakthrough in 'Shatranj Ke Khilari'
Victor Banerjee gained prominence acting in Satyajit Ray's historical film "Shatranj Ke Khilari."
1977
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Career
International acclaim for 'A Passage to India'
Portrayed Dr. Aziz Ahmed in David Lean's film, earning a BAFTA nomination and multiple awards.
1984
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Career
Lead role in York Mystery Plays
First Asian actor to play God in British theatre’s York Mystery Plays directed by Steven Pimlott.
1988
🌟
Other
Lok Sabha election candidate
Contested from Calcutta North West as BJP candidate, finished third with 89,155 votes.
1991
🏅
Award
Awarded Padma Bhushan
Received India's third highest civilian award for contributions to cinema from the President of India.
2022
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
👤PERSONAL

Victor Banerjee's daughter worked as a VFX supervisor for 16 years, indicating a family connection to the evolving film technology industry.

02 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Despite his acclaimed acting career, Victor Banerjee unsuccessfully ran for parliamentary election in 1991 from Calcutta North West, finishing third with 89,155 votes.

03 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

He portrayed Madr-ud-Daula, a hookah-smoking prime minister of Awadh, in Satyajit Ray's 1977 film "Shatranj Ke Khilari," a role deeply embedded in Indian historical drama.

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"All work is a challenge and therefore fun."

— Victor Banerjee

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Victor Banerjee interview | A passage to India | Royal film premier | 1985
·YouTube
More from this archive
Victor Banerjee interview | A passage to India | Royal film premier | 1985
01
Victor Banerjee interview | A passage to India | Royal film premier | 1985
YouTube
WION Exclusive: Victor Banerjee recalls the golden days with Satyajit Ray
02
WION Exclusive: Victor Banerjee recalls the golden days with Satyajit Ray
YouTube
Guftagoo with Victor Banerjee
03
Guftagoo with Victor Banerjee
YouTube
VICTOR BANERJEET TALKS ABOUT "PASSAGE TO INDIA" WITH JOHN C. TIBBETTS
04
VICTOR BANERJEET TALKS ABOUT "PASSAGE TO INDIA" WITH JOHN C. TIBBETTS
YouTube
President Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Shri Victor Banerjee for Art.
05
President Kovind presents Padma Bhushan to Shri Victor Banerjee for Art.
YouTube
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | MURTAZA ALI KHAN WITH VICTOR BANERJEE #thinkingofhim #rabindranathtagore
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EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | MURTAZA ALI KHAN WITH VICTOR BANERJEE #thinkingofhim #rabindranathtagore
YouTube
Victor Banerjee Interview: विक्टर बनर्जी ने Shahrukh से लेकर Amitabh पर क्या कहा? (BBC Hindi)
07
Victor Banerjee Interview: विक्टर बनर्जी ने Shahrukh से लेकर Amitabh पर क्या कहा? (BBC Hindi)
YouTube
"The Answer" - Interview with Victor Banerjee
08
"The Answer" - Interview with Victor Banerjee
YouTube
Interview With Actor Victor Banerjee For His Upcoming Film The Answer
09
Interview With Actor Victor Banerjee For His Upcoming Film The Answer
YouTube
Victor Banerjee Exclusive Interview about Raktabeej and other topics | Sangbad Pratidin
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Victor Banerjee Exclusive Interview about Raktabeej and other topics | Sangbad Pratidin
YouTube

🌱 What changed because of them

Victor Banerjee's work with filmmakers such as Satyajit Ray and David Lean brought nuanced Indian characters to global cinema audiences, expanding the presence of Indian actors internationally. His founding of The Calcutta Art Gallery in the 1970s created a formal commercial space for art in Kolkata, influencing the city's cultural landscape. His Padma Bhushan award in 2022 highlighted the enduring impact of his artistic contributions across languages and mediums.

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