Manoj Mitra

Manoj Mitra (22 December 1938—12 November 2024) was a distinguished Indian actor, director, and playwright known for his significant contributions to theatre, film, and television. His journey in the performing arts began at Scottish Church College in Kolkata, where he was inspired by contemporaries like Badal Sarkar and Rudraprasad Sengupta. He pursued a Master’s degree in philosophy at the University of Calcutta, where he initially embarked on doctoral research. However, his passion for theatre led him and fellow artist Partha Pratim Chowdhury to establish the theatre group Sundaram.

Mitra briefly taught philosophy at Suri Vidyasagar College before joining the drama department at Rabindra Bharati University, ultimately becoming the head of the department and retiring as the Sisirkumar Bhaduri Professor. By this time, he had emerged as a leading playwright in West Bengal, crafting over a hundred plays, including notable works such as "Bogol Dhiman," which won him first prize in a statewide competition, as well as "Sajano Bagaan," "Kaalbihongo," and "Chhaya Prashad." His plays were primarily produced by Sundaram and Bohurupee, among others.

His cinematic contributions include a memorable performance in the 1998 film "Hothat Bristy," co-produced by India and Bangladesh. Mitra's works have been translated into multiple languages, and he authored several books on film and theatre. He served as President of the Paschim Banga Natya Akademi until his resignation due to health concerns in August 2019.