Tapas Pal no more: Memorable performances by the Bengali actor

Born on September 29, Tapas 1958, Pal’s career started at the age of 22 and quickly gained popularity with his debut film ‘Dadar Kirt’i in 1980. Later, many of his films became hits including ‘Saheb’ (1981), ‘Parabat Priya’ (1984), ‘Bhalobasa Bhalobasa’ (1985), ‘Anurager Choyan’ (1986), ‘Amar Bandhan’ (1986). He was even awarded the Filmfare Award for his role in ‘Saheb’. Here’s a list of some of his best performances in Bengali cinema.

Despite being a talented footballer, a jovial, kindhearted Saheb (Tapas Pal) was often bullied by his arrogant brothers. Only his sister-in-law and sister Bulti (Mahua Roychowdhury) cared for him. Saheb had a lot of potentials but lack of support from his family pulled him down. When Bulti's marriage was fixed with a well-educated family and budget of her marriage was too much to bear for the family, Saheb decides to sell his kidney ending his football career keeping his family in the dark. On the day of his sister's marriage when everyone was enjoying, Saheb was fighting for his life. Directed by Bijoy Basu, the family drama turned out to be a commercial hit at that time. Barring the melodramatic scenes, watching ‘Saheb’ with your sister can be an emotional tribute to sibling bonding.

Tapas Pal’s one of the most memorable performances came in this film playing Kedar. Advocate Nivaran Chatterjee lives a wealthy lifestyle in a small town along with his wife, and three sons. His first son is married, while his second son, Kedarnath, who suffered a head injury, is a little senile, and his third son, Amarnath, is a brilliant student. Amarnath falls in love with Beeni Mukherjee, who is a good student, has an elder dominating sister, Saraswati, who is brilliant. Kedar is attracted to Saraswati but lacks the courage to approach her. Then some of his friends introduce him as a brilliant student and athlete to Saraswati's dad, who approves of him. Kedar meets with Saraswati, who also approves of him, and both are slowly drawn to each other. It will not be long before Saraswati finds out that Kedarnath is a fraud, will give up on him, and get ready to marry a wealthy Bhagalpur-based man of her father's choice.

Arup (Tapas Pal) wants to make a good living with a business or two on his own strength, so he starts his own venture. When he meets Keya the world changes for him. Her father is very strict. He has already fixed her marriage, but at the same time she starts to like Arup too. But when the father has to make a decision to marry off his daughter to a man with a more secure future, what will happen to the young lovers?

Deep and Mangal both from are Nabagram. Deep had an inborn talent of singing. Mangal always inspired him and supported him in his struggle. Deep and Mangal's family went to Kolkata for a better opportunity and opening, where they faced lots of criticism and fraud. On the other hand, they met Ramu da a man with golden heart. Ramu da helped them a lot and sold his land to accommodate a function for Deep. One day they met Chandra. She was a daughter of a rich man who had good contacts in music and film line. Within a very small time Deep got fame, money everything. In such a situation, Chandra's brother Sunil tried to create some misunderstanding between Mangal and Deep. As a result, Mangal left Deep's place and lived under huge poverty. At the end, Deep came to know about the conspiracy and tried hard to get back his Mangal da. When Deep was singing in his home village Nabagram he found Mangal and they started to stay together.

Most art film directors like Buddhadeb Dasgupta in Bengal have to work with instruments of prehistoric age due to insufficient fund age so that is reflected on the movie experience. BUT....look at the camera angles...look how each character is placed...moving…entering into the camera view.....especially the frequent insertion of many great Bengali folk songs...and the characters entering into the scene singing...

Wonderful acting by Tapas Pal makes it more special....Plus wonderful folk songs....and an artistic building of story line...this movie is unmissable if you love art film.