Remembering Keshto Mukherjee 1905-82

Born: 7 August 1905, Mumbai
Died: 3 March 1982, Mumbai
Keshto Mukherjee (Born 7 August 1905 died 3 March 1982 was an Indian film actor and comedian. He was born in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. He specialised in comic drunkard roles in Hindi films.

Though he was famous for his drunkard typecast role in Hindi films, he used to share a very good relation with the iconic director Ritwik Ghatak and had very tiny but important roles in the maestro's films such as the trickster in Bari Theke Paliye, the madman in Ajantrik or character roles in Nagarik and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo.

Interesting Facts about Keshto Mukherjee

1.In the movie Mere Apne (1971), Keshto appears as a long distant relative of Meena Kumari who want her to take care of their son as nanny. In Parichay (1974), he appeared as the private tutor to a group of naughty children who terrify him by setting a turtle with a lighted candle on its back.

2.In Zanjeer, Aap Ki Kasam and Sholay Keshto Mukherjee's performances have left long-lasting impressions. In personal life he was a teetotaler.

3.In Teesri Kasam, he acted with Raj Kapoor. In Sadhu aur Shaitaan, he was one of the cronies of Kishore Kumar. A similar role was performed in the movie Padosan. In Mehmood's movie Bombay to Goa, his role of a dozzing passenger was a popular one.

4.He acted in the role of a street dancer in Musafir, directorial debut of Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It was Asit Sen who offered Keshto Mukherjee a role of a typical drunkard in the movie Maa Aur Mamta (1970).

5.Keshto Mukherjee's son, Babloo Mukherjee is also a comedy actor and has acted in several films. It is a popular misconception that Shushmita Mukherjee, is Keshto Mukherjee's daughter.

Though Keshto did many movies however he was best known for his role in Sholay (1975), Zanjeer (1973) and Chupke Chupke (1975).

He died on 3 March 1982 in Bombay, India.

Filmography
Musafir 1957

Khazanchi 1958

Rakhi Aur Rifle 1959

Masoom1960

Parakh 1960

Aarti 1962

Aashiq 1962

Prem Patra 1962

Asli Naqli 1963

Rahu Ketu 1964

Majhli Didi 1967

Apna Ghar Apni Kahani 1968

Padosan 1968

Pinjre Ka Panchhi 1968

Anokhi Raat 1969

Maa Aur Mamta 1970

Mere Humsafar 1970

Guddi 1971

Lakhon Mein Ek 1971

Mere Apne 1971

Anokha Milan 1972

Bombay To Goa 1972

Koshish 1972

Lalkaar 1972

Mem Saheb 1972

Piya Ka Ghar 1972

Sabse Bada Sukh 1972

Sanjog 1972

Yeh Gulistan Hamara 1972

Achanak 1973

Bada Kabootar 1973

Chalaak 1973

Loafer 1973

Zanjeer 1973

Aap Ki Kasam 1974

Apradhi 1974

Call Girl 1974

Chor Chor 1974

Humrahi 1974

Imaan 1974

Jeevan Rekha 1974

Trimurthi 1974

Aakraman 1975

Chupke Chupke 1975

Dhoti Lota Aur Chaupaty 1975

Do Thug 1975

Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja 1975

Kala Sona 1975

Mazaaq 1975

Pratigya 1975

Qaid 1975

Sholay 1975

Aaj Ka Mahatma 1976

Amaanat 1976

Arjun Pandit 1976

Charas 1976

Meera Shyam 1976

Aafat 1977

Chacha Bhatija 1977

Chala Murari Hero Banane 1977

Dildaar 1977

Gumrah 1977

Kinara 1977

Kitaab 1977

Naami Chor 1977

Niaz Aur Namaz 1977

Ram Bharose 1977

Aakhri Daku 1978

Azad 1978

Damaad 1978

Devta 1978

Prem Bandhan 1978

Do Ladke Dono Kadke 1979

Do Shikari 1979

Duniya Meri Jeb Mein 1979

Hum Tere Ashiq Hain 1979

Salaam Memsaab 1979

Sargam 1979

Aap Ke Deewane 1980

Desh Drohi 1980

Ganga Aur Suraj 1980

Hum Nahin Sudhrenge 1980

Khubsurat 1980

Red Rose 1980

The Burning Train 1980

Kudrat 1981

Main Aur Mera Hathi 1981

Mangalsutra 1981

Naseeb 1981

Rocky 1981

Wardat 1981

Dial 100 1982

Dil-E-Nadan 1982

Ghazab 1982

Hathkadi 1982

Divorce 1984

Hanste Khelte 1984

Superman 1993

FB

Keshto Mukherjee was a famous actor of Hindi cinema, known for his splendid comic performances. He was a natural when it came to playing the role of a drunkard on silver screen. Keshto's dim-witted drunkard with unique chuckle was a constant feature of 60s and 70s' Hindi cinema.

Keshto Mukherjee was a discovery of the legendary filmmaker Ritwik Ghatak. He entered the industry in 1952 with 'Nagarik', a Bengali movie which, neither Ritwik nor Keshto was destined to see, as the film was released after their deaths. Hrishikesh Mukherjee put him in his 'Musafir' (1953). It was followed by some films where Keshto's appearences could easily be obliterated. There was yet another Bengali film "Bari Theke Paliye"by Ritwik Ghatak, where Keshto was to play a street monkey-player. It was Asit Sen who ought to be credited for unearthing Keshto Mukherjee's potentials of the petent drunkard acting in 'Maa aur Mamta' (1970). Since then Keshto fell into proto-typed trap of drunkard roles excepting a few.

In 'Teesri Kasam' he acted with Raj Kapoor. In 'Sadhu aur Saitan' he was one of the cronies of Kishor Kumar. Similar role was performed in 'Padosan'. In Mehmood's 'Bombay to Goa' his role of a dozing passenger was simply superb. In 'Mere Apne' (1971) Keshto appears as a political leader misleading the local toughs for winning in the election. In 'Parichay' (1974) he comes as the private tutor to a group of naughty children who terrifies him by setting a turtle with a lighted candle on its back. In 'Zanjeer', 'Aap Ki Kasam' and 'Sholay' Keshto Mukherjee's performances have left long-lasting impressions. In 'Gol Maal' (1979) Keshto's brief role as a drunkard is so arresting. His encounter with Utpal Dutt in the police station is one of the most hilarious scenes recorded in Hindi films.

Though Keshto Mukherjee passed away in 1985, he wiil remain alive in people's memories for a long time to come.