13 Iconic Villains from Bengali Films Throughout the Years- Part 1

Bengali Films have been an integral part of Indian Cinema due to the presence of notable filmmakers. The presence of a villain in a film is mostly seen when the movie is categorized as an Action film. Of course, there are exceptions, like thrillers or crime films. However, Bengali movies often see a few spine-chilling villains from various genres of films. So today, let us dive into the Bad Men of Bengali films throughout the years:

1. Major Tripathi from 42

This 1951 film was set against the backdrop of the Quit India Movement of 1942 in a Bengal village. Noted actor Bikash Roy played the merciless and cruel Major Tripathi, a menacingly cunning individual with sadistic traits who took a special interest in torturing the revolting freedom fighters. His demeaning attitude towards those who were ready to die for the country makes one's blood boil. It's a significant change from the normal, very loud theatrical approach of acting from those days. Roy brings out Major Tripathi with his incredible expression and ruthless smile. 

2. Mayurbahan from Jhinder Bondi

Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee played the role of the main antagonist, Mayurbahan, in this 1961 film by Tapan Sinha. Mayurbahan is the incredibly handsome friend of a Royal Prince who, with his wicked ways, tries to capture the throne of Jhind. Chatterjee was the best choice to play the character, especially because he shared the screen with Uttam Kumar in the role of King Shankar Singh, the King of Jhind. He plays the role absolutely perfectly, be it with his wicked grin or with his terrorizing looks. He is the embodiment of beautiful evil. 

3. Dr. Bhujanga from Chiriyakhana

The first time Byomkesh Bakshi came to celluloid, in 1967, was with Chiriyakhana. While Uttam Kumar played the role of the famous Satyanwesi, theatre thespian Shyamal Ghoshal simply nailed it with the gentle but evil criminal, Dr Bhujanga- a doctor who was stripped of his license and who plays the sitar with perfection. Ghoshal nonchalantly brought out the sly and twisted criminal hidden under a straightforward, music-loving humanitarian doctor. 

4. Mandar Bose from Sonar Kella

With so many Feluda films being made for so many years, no one could beat the villains from the ones made by Ray. The 1974 film Sonar Kella had 2 bad men (dustu lok), the duplicate Dr. Hazra and his associate Mandar Bose. The character of Mandar Bose is striking because it is completely opposite of what he claims himself to be. Actor Kamu Mukherjee played the character of the self-proclaimed globe-trotter with very little knowledge of common facts of other countries and the dialect of a typical North Calcuttan, with so much efficiency that it was made immortal for Bengali film lovers. His undignified way of speaking, walking and behaving with others brought out the rawness of an uneducated goon trying to be over-smart to hide his lack of intellect, which is laughable and amazing. The moments when he brings out his real self of a goon with no remorse are exceptionally brilliant and a mind-blowing transformation.

5. Bhabesh Banerjee from Bagh Bandi Khela

Almost every Bengali loves Uttam Kumar. We associate him with the larger-than-life characters he plays in films like Nayak, Agnipariksha, and Agniswar. He also played characters with shades of grey, and one such movie is the 1975 film Bagh Bandi Khela. He plays Bhabesh Banerjee, a crooked common man who makes his way into the world of politics in unethical ways. It is not a typical character of a good man forced to choose the path of evil; it is about an already evil man turning into a monster who can do anything for power. Uttam Kumar shocked the audience with this role and truly made the character so hatable that one will never want to meet (the character) in real life.

6. Maganlal Meghraj from Joy Baba Felunath

Noted actor Utpal Dutt played the role of businessman Maganlal Meghraj in the 1979 film Joy Baba Felunath. This character is a shrewd businessman who terrorizes a city with his criminal acts and various illegal activities. Dutt had truly made the character stand out as a monster with no remorse and thoughtfulness about anyone, rather taking major pride in his menace.  The scene where he torments Feluda's friend and noted writer, Lalmohan Babu, in his local circus gives chills in the viewers' hearts. 

7. Hirak Raja from Hirak Rajar Desh

This 1980 Ray film sees Utpal Dutt in the role of a very unusual, comical, but cruel king who will not let any of the people disobey his orders and can go to any length to torture them. Dutt is outstanding in this role and makes one laugh with his comic timing, in spite of the ruthless acts he keeps on performing throughout the film. He plays the dictator with utmost perfection, making the character one of the most hated villains in Bengali films.

The rest of this article will be continued next week and I will be back with 6 more iconic villains of Bengali Films.