Veteran Filmmaker Basu Chaterjee known for films like Choti Si Baat and popular TV series Byomkesh Bakshi passed away.

Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee, known for his ‘common man’ sensibilities that were reflected in films such as Rajnigandha, Baaton Baaton Mein, Ek Ruka Hua Faisla, and Chitchor, has died at the age of 90. The news was confirmed by film guild IFTDA, reported PTI.

Filmmaker and Indian Film & TV Directors’ Association president Ashoke Pandit tweeted, “I am extremely grieved to inform you all the demise of Legendary Filmmaker Basu Chatterjee Ji . His last rites will be performed today at Santacruz cremation at 2 pm. It’s a great loss to the industry. I will miss you, Sir. #RIPBasuChaterjee.” 

I am extremely grieved to inform you all of the demise of Legendary Filmmaker #BasuChatterjee ji. His last rites will be performed today at Santacruz West (Opp Police station )crematorium at 3 pm.

It’s a great loss to the industry. Will miss you Sir. #RIPBasuChaterjee pic.twitter.com/2Jlu3AqdVX

— Ashoke Pandit (@ashokepandit) June 4, 2020

Starting his career as an illustrator and cartoonist, the Ajmer-born Basu Chatterjee knew how to find humor in the commonplace. He made his debut with Sara Akash (1969) and soon earned the tag of ‘balcony class director’. 

Associated with what came to be called the middle-of-the-road cinema, Basuda -- as he was fondly called --celebrated the extraordinary in the ordinary. He focussed his lens on the middle class and largely urban settings. 

His heroes traveled to work in buses, romanced women they met at office canteens and local trains, and had everyday concerns. Whether it was Rajnigandha, Piya Ka Ghar, Choti Si Baat, Chitchor, or Khatta Meetha or Shaukeen, his characters seeped in reality. “I belonged to a middle-class family. That’s the life I know. That’s why there was nothing larger-than-life about my films,” he had once said.

He also made some of the popular TV shows during the '80s and '90s for Doordarshan such as Byomkesh Bakshi, Rajini, and Om Puri starter Kakaji Kahe