Aditya Bhattacharya (born 1965) is an Indian film director and screenwriter, most known for his feature film, Raakh (1989), starring Aamir Khan and Pankaj Kapur, which garnered three National Film Awards.

Aditya Bhattacharya
The Director Aditya Bhattacharya and Star Cast of ‘Dubai Return’ interacting with Media during the ongoing 36th International Film Festival of India – 2005 in Panaji, Goa on December 3, 2005.jpg
Aditya Bhattacharya (right), IFFI (2005)
Born1963 (age 60–61)
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)film director, screenwriter
Years active1983–present
Spouse(s)Sanjana Kapoor (divorced)
Maria Giovanna
Parents

He is the son of film director Basu Bhattacharya and Rinki Bhattacharya, the daughter of Bimal Roy.

Early life

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Born in a Bengali family of film director Basu Bhattacharya and Rinki Bhattacharya, who is daughter of noted filmmaker Bimal Roy and herself a columnist and documentary filmmaker. He has two sisters, Chimmu and Anwesha Arya, who is a writer.

Career

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He started his film career as an actor in Shyam Benegal's Mandi (1983), where he played the role of Smita Patil's boyfriend. He followed it up Rihaee (1988) and Sudhir Mishra's Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi (2003). He made his debut as director with Raakh (1989), which starred Aamir Khan, his second after his debut with Ketan Mehta's Holi (1984), though it was released only after his blockbuster QSQT (1989); the film did not do well at the box office; however, it went on to receive three National Film Awards,[1] and a Best Directorial Debut Award at the Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards.[2]

Meanwhile, he also worked as a photo journalist.[3] Subsequently, he shifted base in 1988 from Mumbai to Rome, where he made an Italian film, some music videos, etc.[4]

His film Dubai Return (2005), which he also produced under the banner Aditya Pictures, starred Irrfan Khan and Divya Dutta,[5] which premiered at IFFI Goa 2005.[4]

In 2012, he produced and directed Bombay's Most Wanted (BMW), a film on encounter specialist played by Javed Jaffrey. BMW was screened at the Mumbai Film Festival, organised by MAMI.[6]

Personal life

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He was in a relationship with actress and theatre person Sanjana Kapoor for many years, whom he had met during the theatre days at Prithvi Theatre, and later married, but the marriage did not last.[7] Presently, he is married to an Italian, Maria Giovanna and divides his time between Sicily and Mumbai.[8]

Filmography

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Director
  • Raakh (1989)
  • Senso Unico (1999)
  • Dubai Return (2005)
  • Sandokan in Sicilia (2009)
  • BMW - Bombay's Most Wanted (2012)[6]
Actor

References

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  1. ^ "Aamir's 'Raakh' to be re-launched during ongoing stalemate". Screen. 27 May 2009. Archived from the original on 18 September 2012.
  2. ^ "Aamir's 'Raakh' rises from the ashes!". The Times of India. 21 May 2009. Archived from the original on 11 August 2011.
  3. ^ "Aamir never wanted to be an actor". Rediff Movies. 3 June 2009.
  4. ^ a b "IFFI INVITE: Name calling". Indian Express. 4 December 2005.[dead link]
  5. ^ Reshmi Sengupta (20 March 2004). "Return of the prodigal son". The Telegraph (Kolkata). Archived from the original on 19 September 2012.
  6. ^ a b "BMW - Bombays Most Wanted - movie review".
  7. ^ "Sanjana Kapoor". The Times of India. 11 December 2002.
  8. ^ "He was the sexiest man in India". The Times of India. 28 January 2001.
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