The Bengal Film Journalists' Association ^[1] is the oldest Association of Film critics in India, founded in 1937, by the inspiration and determination of the handful of pioneers amongst the then thin section of scribes that were drawn to film journalism with a lofty mission to serve the developing film journalism and film industry.

Members of the Association are drawn from the film section of the entire Press of West Bengal composed of dailies, periodicals and film journals in various languages published from Kolkata. Film correspondents and critics working for any newspaper or periodicals published outside Bengal having their base in Kolkata were also eligible to be members of this Association.

It is not enough to say that this is the oldest Association of its kind in the country, but also the first to institute awards in an endeavor to promote and encourage the production of better films just a year after its inception when the 1st Motion Picture Congress was held in Faridpur (now in Bangladesh) in 1938. Representatives of the association played a vital role in its deliberations. Similarly our Association was fully represented at the Silver Jubilee of the Indian Cinema.

In 1952 when India staged the First International Film Festival, an exhibition on big scale was held in Kolkata Maidan. Exhibition of many antiques on film camera, projector and other accessories, showing the growth of films and development of Indian Film Industry. BFJA had its own stall where it displayed its various magazines, periodicals and journals published from Kolkata, as also the copies of old magazines and journals on films tracing the history of growth of film journalism in this country.The actor with most number of BFJA award for the best actor was Rajesh Khanna(four times) and the most nominations for the same is also Rajesh Khanna.

Thereafter, when I.F.F.I. came on the regular circuit of International Film Festivals, BFJA has tendered active assistance and co-operation, whenever called upon to serve on any committee in the interest of making the festival’s success. For the last four years the association have been bringing out special bulletin to commemorate the I.F.F.I. & also hosting reception to the visiting delegates.

Cinema to the members of BFJA, apart from its basic function of providing clean entertainment, is a strong social, cultural and artistic force to help the progressive development of the nation. ^[2]

• Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Official website

Awards[link]

• Best Indian Films
• Best Director
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Screenplay
• Best Cinematographer
• Best Art Director
• Best Editor
• Best Music Director
• Best Lyricist
• Best Male Playback
• Best Female Playback
• Best Make Up Man
• Babulal Chowkhani Memorial Trophy for Best Original Story
• Most Outstanding Work of the Year (Actor and Actress)
• B.C. Agarwal Memorial Award for Best Film Critic/Journalist
• Best Book on Cinema
• Best Clean & Entertainment Film
• Most Promising Director
• Most Promising Actor
• Most Promising Actress

Documentary Section[link]

• Best Documentary (Jointly)
• Best Director Documentary (Film)

Special Awards[link]

• Hero Honda Youth Icon Awards
• Hero Honda Voice of All Generations

Hindi Section[link]

• Best Film
• Best Director
• Best Actor
• Best Actress
• Best Supporting Actor
• Best Supporting Actress
• Best Screenplay
• Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement

References[link]

See also[link]

• Bengali cinema

External links[link]

• BJFA Awards - Official Listings, 1938 onwards
• Bengal Film Journalists' Association - Official website
• ftvdb.bfi.org.uk

Alka Yagnik
Background information
Born	(1966-03-20) 20 March 1966 (age 46) Kolkata, West Bengal
Genres	Bollywood and regional filmi playback singing
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1979–present

Alka Yagnik (born March 20, 1966^[1] in Kolkata, West Bengal, India) is an Indian singer.^[2] Among the best-known playback singers of Hindi cinema, she is a record seven-time winner of the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer from a record of 35 nominations, a two-time recipient of the National Film Award as well as several other music awards listed below. Further, as many as 20 of her tracks feature in BBC's "Top 40 Bollywood Soundtracks of all time" review.^[3]

Early life and background[link]

Alka Yagnik was born in Kolkata on March 20, 1966. Her mother Shubha Yagnik was a singer of Indian classical music. She received her school education from Modern High School for Girls. At the age of 6, she started singing for Akashvani (All India Radio), Calcutta.^[4] At age 10, her mother brought her to Bombay as a child singer. She was advised to wait until her voice matured, but her mother remained determined. On a subsequent visit, Alka got a letter of introduction to Raj Kapoor from his Kolkata distributor. Kapoor heard the girl and sent her with a letter to noted music director Laxmikant. Impressed, Laxmikant gave her two alternatives — an immediate start as a dubbing artist or a later break as a singer; they settled for the latter.

Career[link]

Alka Yagnik is classically trained and has been one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood since the late 1980s. She began singing bhajans for Akashvani (All India Radio), Calcutta.^[4] at the age of six. Her first song was for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar in (1979), followed by Laawaris (1981) with the hit song "Mere Angene Mein", followed by the film Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). She got her big break with the song "Ek Do Teen" from the film Tezaab (1988). The song turned her into a star overnight and went on to become a pop hit, also winning her a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was also a career maker for her, as she along with Udit Narayan became household names.

She has sung in many languages other than Hindi, including Gujarati, Oriya, Assamese, Manipuri, Nepali, Rajasthani, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. She has worked with Indian composers such as Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin Lalit, Anu Malik, A. R. Rahman, Anand-Milind, Himesh Reshammiya, Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Ismail Darbar, Aadesh Shrivastava, Viju Shah, M.M. Keeravani, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and many others.

She has also sung in many notable albums such as "Tum Yaad Aaye", as well as "Tum Aaye" and "Shairana" in which she worked in close collaboration with award-winning lyricist Javed Akhtar and noted singer Hariharan. She has also rendered the Hanuman Chalisa and various devotional songs.^[5]

She has lent her voice for three generation of actresses ranging from Hema Malini, Rekha, Shabana Azmi, Rakhi Gulzar, Sridevi to Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Tabu, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Karisma Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai to Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and many others.^[6]

Alka shares the title with Asha Bhosle for the greatest number of Filmfare Awards won (7) by a single female playback singer. Alka has also been the judge of various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India, both singing competition shows, in which children or adults of various age groups compete with one another to win the award for best vocals. In addition to this, her song "Chamma Chamma" from China Gate was featured in the song "Hindi Sad Diamonds" from the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge!. She has also been performing in live concerts around the world .

In 2012 she along with Sonu Nigam sang a song 'Shiksha Ka Suraj' as part of National Literacy Mission of India. ^[7] She has also been involved in various projects pertaining to empowerment of the girl child . ^[8]

Significant collaborations[link]

Laxmikant-Pyarelal

Veteran composers Laxmikant-Pyarelal who were instrumental in launching Alka have created several musical hits with her in movies such as Tezaab, Hum (film), Khalnayak, Khuda Gawah and many others.

Nadeem-Shravan

Alka Yagnik's collaboration with Nadeem-Shravan in movies such as Saajan (1991),Phool Aur Kaante (1991), Deewana (1992), Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Dilwale (1994), Raja (1995), Barsaat (1995), Agni Sakshi (1996), Jeet (1996), Raja Hindustani (1996), Pardes (1997), Sirf Tum (1999), Dhadkan (2000), Kasoor (2001), Raaz (2002), Andaaz (2003), Dil Hai Tumhaara (2003), etc. has created several chartbuster hits over the years.

Jatin Lalit

Alka Yagnik has often collaborated with Jatin Lalit in movies such as Khiladi, Ghulam, Khamoshi: The Musical, Sarfarosh, Yes Boss, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham..., Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Chalte Chalte, Hum Tum creating hugely popular scores.

Anu Malik

Alka's collaborations with Anu Malik over the years in films such as Baazigar, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayee, Imtihaan, Refugee, Vijaypath, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Duplicate, Soldier, Aarzoo, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Asoka, Umrao Jaan, Fiza, Josh, Ishq Vishk, LOC: Kargil, etc. have all been immensely successful.

A. R. Rahman

Alka's collaborations with A. R. Rahman in movies such as Taal, Lagaan, Zubeidaa, Swades, Yuvvraaj, Ada... A Way of Life, Slumdog Millionaire are all critically acclaimed.

Rajesh Roshan

Alka's work with Rajesh Roshan in films such as Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai (2000), Koi Mil Gaya (2003), Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage, Koyla, Krrish has been immensely popular.

Anand-Milind

Alka has worked in several films with Anand-Milind notably Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Anjaam, Suhaag, Coolie No. 1 (Hindi film), Loafer, Jaan, Hero No. 1, Mrityudand & Jaanwar.

Himesh Reshammiya

Alka gave Himesh Reshammiya his first break in the movie Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya . Thereafter the duo has worked together creating poplar scores in several movies such as Hello Brother, Kahin Pyaar Na Ho Jaaye, Humraaz, Chura Liyaa Hai Tumne, Tere Naam, Bardaasht, Aitraaz, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Kyon Ki, Banaras, 36 China Town, Milenge Milenge, etc.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Alka's collaboration with Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy in films such as Dil Chahta Hai, Mission Kashmir, Armaan (2003 film), Kal Ho Naa Ho, Lakshya (film) & Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna has been immensely successful.

Awards and nominations[link]

Alka Yagnik has won several prestigious music awards for best female playback such as Filmfare Awards, National Awards, IIFA Awards, Star Screen Awards,Zee Cine Awards, etc. She also holds the record for most awards won (7) as well as maximum nominations (35) in Best Female Playback category at the Filmfare Awards.^[9]

Notable Bollywood filmography[link]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Alka Yagnik at the Internet Movie Database

This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. Please help by adding reliable sources. Contentious material about living persons that is unsourced or poorly sourced must be removed immediately, especially if potentially libelous or harmful. (April 2012)

Babul Supriyo
Babul Supriyo in an Award Function
Background information
Birth name	Supriya Baral
Born	(1970-12-15) December 15, 1970 (age 41)
Genres	Playback singing

Babul Supriyo (Bengali; born in Kolkata) is an Indian playback singer. ^[1] Babul Supriyo was born Supriya Baral, and spent his early childhood, and even graduated from university with that name.^[2] He would change his first name's spelling from Supriya to Supriyo as the former signified a female name, and the latter a male name. Later he would call himself simply Babul Supriyo as that signified a caste-less identity, and allowed for a greater scope of familiarity and popularity with his audiences.

Babul Supriyo's grandfather, NC Baral, was a well-known composer in West Bengal. Under pressure from his father (who worked in a bank), he took up a job with Standard Chartered Bank after securing a Master's degree from University of Calcutta. In 1991, he came to Mumbai to try his luck in Hindi Cinema.^[3] Kalyanji (of Kalyanji-Anandji composer duo) gave him a break, and he soon got noticed by other composers. Besides playback singing, he has also done several stage shows across the globe.^[3] Babul has sung some memorable Hindi film songs such as Kaho na Pyar hai(Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai), Pari Pari Hai ek Pari (Hungama), Hum Tum (Hum Tum) and Chanda Chamke (Fanaa). He is the anchor of the hit television show "K for Kishore". Babul is also known for singing the opening themes of well known Balaji Telefilms serials. He has recorded an album of Tagore's songs titled "Jodi Jantem". He is one of the judges of a Bengali TV reality show on music, named Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Lil Champs.

Play List[link]

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2012 Rang(Album of Nadeem Shravan) (Song : Ye to Mumqeen nahi)

2010 Diwana (playback singer)

2010 Channa Sachi Muchi (playback singer)

2009 Antaheen (performer: "Pherari Mon")

2009 Sanam Hum Aapke Hain... (performer: "Dil Ne Jo Bhi Kaha Maine Manna")

2008 10:10 (playback singer)

2007 Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: Journey of a Woman (performer: "Zara Gungunalein Chalo")

2007 To Bina Mo Kahani Addha (playback singer)

2006 Mantra Shakti (TV movie) (playback singer)

2006 Rakhi Bandhili Mo Rakhiba Mana (playback singer)

2006 Fanaa (Chanda Chamke)- playback singer

2005 71/2 Phere (performer: "Tera Saath Hai Kitna Pyare")

2005 Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya (performer: "Teri Meri Love Story")

2005 Dus (performer: "Chham Se")

2005 Vaada (performer: "Main Ishq Uska")

2005 Dus (playback singer)

2005 Zameer (playback singer)

2005 Chehraa (playback singer)

2005 Chaahat Ek Nasha...(playback singer)

2005 Vaada (playback singer)

2004 Rok Sako To Rok Lo (playback singer)

2004 Hum Tum (playback singer)

2004 Suno Sasurjee (playback singer - as Babul Suprio)

2004 Hum Tum (performer: "Hum Tum")

2004 Plan (performer: "Aane Wala Pal", "Aane Wala Pal - II")2003 I Wrong Number (playback singer)

2003 Out of Control (playback singer)

2003 Zameen (playback singer)

2003 Chori Chori (playback singer)

2003 Hungama (playback singer)

2003 Andaaz (playback singer)

2003 Ek Aur Ek Gyarah: By Hook or by Crook (playback singer)

2003 Escape from Taliban (playback singer)

2003 Kucch To Hai (playback singer)

2003 Dil Ka Rishta (playback singer)

2003 Out of Control (performer: "Tera Chandsa Yeh Chehera", "Kudhi Vi Soni", "Tu Mera Hai Sanam")

2003 Chori Chori (performer: "Aate Aate")

2003 Hungama (performer: "Pari")

2003 Dil Ka Rishta (performer: "Dil Ka Rishta - II")

2002 Deewangee (playback singer)

2002 Gunaah (playback singer)

2002 Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai? (playback singer)

2002 Devdas (playback singer)

2002 Company (playback singer)

2002 Kaaboo (playback singer)

2002 Jeena Sirf Merre Liye (performer: "Ek Baar To India", "Jeena Sirf Merre Liye", "Pyaar Mange")

2002 Dil Vil Pyar Vyar (performer: "Yeh Jo Mohabbat Hai", "Kehna Hai", "Ab Ke Saawan Mein", "Kehna Hai - II")

2001 Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya (playback singer - as Supriya Babul)

2001 Dial 100 (playback singer)

2001 Ittefaq (playback singer)

2001 Albela (playback singer)

2001 Boond (playback singer)

2001 Aamdani Atthanni Kharcha Rupaiya (performer: "Style Nasha Tera", "Sajanniya Re")

2001 Kasautii Zindagii Kay (TV series) ("Kasautii Zindagii Kay")

2001 Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Meraa Ghar (performer: "Govinda")

2001 Mujhe Kucch Kehna Hai (performer: "Jabse Dekha Hai - II", "Maine Koyi Jadoo")

2001 Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (performer: "Chori Chori Chupke Chupke")

2000 Kaali Ki Saugandh (playback singer)

2000 Aaghaaz (playback singer)

2000 Tera Jadoo Chal Gayaa (playback singer - as Babul Suprio)

2000 Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (performer: "Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke", "Do Lafzo Mein", "Hai Deewane Yeh Ishq Mera", "Yeh Sama Yeh Nazare", "Koi Taza Hawa", "Ek Haseen Ladki")

2000 Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (performer: "Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara")

2000 Bechainee (performer: "Tumse nahin koi pyaara sanam, tere pyaar ne humko maara sanam")

1999 Hello Brother (performer: "Hata Saawan Ki Ghata")

1997 Jeevan Yudh (performer: "Sun Sajana Tere Bin")

1997 Jeevan Yudh (playback singer)

1997 Aar Ya Paar (playback singer)

1997 Naseeb (playback singer - as Babul Suprio)

1997 Saat Rang Ke Sapne (playback singer: "Aati Hai To Chal")

1996 Shastra (performer: "Kuch Hua Re Hua Re")/ (playback singer - as Babool)

1996 Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (playback singer - uncredited)

1996 Agni Sakshi (playback singer - as Babul Suprio)

1995 Gaddaar (playback singer - as Babul)

1994 Kranti Kshetra (playback singer - as Babul Supriya)

References[link]

External links[link]

• IMDB entry
• Babul Supriyo

Prosenjit Chatterjee
Born	(1962-09-30) 30 September 1962 (age 49)[1][2] Kolkata, India
Height	174 cm (5' 8½")
Spouse	Debashree Roy (1992-1995, divorced) Aparna Guhathakurta (1997-2002, divorced) Arpita Pal (2002–present)
Website
www.prosenjit.in

Prosenjit Chatterjee (also Prosenjit Chatterjee or Prosenjit Chattopadhyay (Bengali: প্রসেনজিৎ চট্টোপাধ্যায় Prosenjit Chôṭṭopaddhae; born 30 September 1962), professionally known as Proshenjit, is a Bengali film actor. His fans affectionately called him Bumba Da.^[3] In rural Bengal he is addressed as Poshenjit. His rural fan base led him to do many films which had rustic storylines, films intellectuals shied away from. But his popularity was undeniable. Since 2003 with Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali (co-starring Aishwarya Rai) he has acted in numerous films that won critical acclaim. In 2007 he received the National Award Silver Lotus for his performance in Dosar. He had acted in over 279 films as of October 2009.

Prosenjit has been the leading star of Bengali (West Bengal) commercial cinema for the past two decades.

Family background[link]

Prosenjit is the only son of Biswajeet, the actor from Tollygunge who carved a niche in Hindi cinema in the 1960s, Prosenjit made his debut when he was just four years old in his father's Chhotto Jignasa (The Tiny Question). The film was a big hit and little Boomba’s fresh and natural performance warmed hearts in full theatres in 1967. It was back to school after that. His parents divorced; at age of sixteen, Prosenjit was left with the responsibility of his family consisting of his mother and little sister Pallavi Chatterjee, now an actress in her own right.

However due to his father's role in his parents' separation, he and his sister Pallavi have little or no contact, at least officially, with him.

Personal life[link]

He attended Calcutta Airport English High School (H.S.) up to class 10. He attended St. Xavier's Collegiate School and St. Xavier's College, Calcutta.^[4] Prosenjit lives in Kolkata with his wife, actress Arpita Pal, and their son Trishanjit. He has had two previous marriages with Debashree Roy and Aparna Guhathakurta.

Film career[link]

He made his debut as hero in Duti Pata (1983), a teenage romance along the lines of Bobby. The film filled a vacuum in Bengali cinema through its look and mounting, distanced from stereotypical Bangla films of the time. It turned out to be a super-duper hit and, overnight, Prosenjit found stardom thrust on him.

He considers the character of Koushik, the husband in Rituparno Ghosh's Dosar (2006) as his most challenging role.

"The story begins with Koushik cheating on his wife, spending a weekend with another woman and then running into a near-fatal accident. He sustains severe injuries and most of the time, I was horizontal and had to emote only through my eyes. None of my body parts moved except my eyes. It was extremely exhausting in a physical sense. It was also challenging because the Indian audience does not generally accept such characters."

Amar Shangi (1987) opposite Vijayeta Pandit, Apon Amaar Apon (1990) directed by Tarun Majumdar and Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s Ami, Yaseen Aar Amaar Madhubala (2007) are the three outstanding films of his career. The song "Chirodini Tumi Je Amar" from Amar Shangi remains a hot favourite among lovers of Bengali music. In fact, Amar Shangi was his turning-point film. Prosenjit did not have to look back after that.

Among the 50 or so leading ladies he has acted with, he rates Debashree Roy (whom he was once married to) as the best. "She is outstanding and completely dedicated to her work. I have worked with her in more than 25 films. It is a pleasure to be cast opposite her in any film and I would welcome the opportunity any time she agrees to act with me. Many talented young women faded away into oblivion, constantly throwing up the challenge of creating new and talented leading ladies in the Bengali film industry," says Prosenjit. Satabdi Roy takes top place as his heroine, having acted with him in more than 50 films. He has done 35 films with Rachana Banerjee, 50 with Rituparna Sengupta, around 16 with Indrani Haldar and four with his wife Arpita Pal.

Prosenjit did make an attempt to make it in Bollywood. He played the role of Mumtaz's son in her disastrous comeback film Aandhiyaan in 1989. It was directed by David Dhawan. The story revolves around aspirations where his ordinary wife would be a disturbing factor. The son grows up to take revenge and finally unites his parents. The film disappeared without a trace. But this did not stop Prosenjit from playing the hero in the Mehul Kumar-directed Meet Mere Man Ke (1991). This, too, was a disaster after which Prosenjit decided to came back to his roots, choosing to become numero uno in his home state rather than becoming a bit-star doing secondary roles in Bollywood films.

One of the best works of Prosenjit is as Arun Chatterjee in Srijit Mukherjee's [[Autograph (2010 film)"

Awards[link]

• National Film Award - Special Jury Award / Special Mention (Feature Film) (2007) for Dosar^[5]

Filmography[link]