# Moushumi Chatterjee

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**Moushumi Chatterjee** (born **Indira Chattopadhyay**; 26 April 1954) is an Indian actress and politician known for her work in [Hindi](/source/Hindi_cinema) and [Bengali cinema](/source/Cinema_of_West_Bengal). She was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hindi films during the [1970s](/source/1970s_in_film). She joined the [Bharatiya Janata Party](/source/Bharatiya_Janata_Party) in 2019; she was previously a member of the [Indian National Congress](/source/Indian_National_Congress).

## Early and personal life

Chatterjee was born in [Calcutta](/source/Calcutta) to a [Bengali Brahmin](/source/Bengali_Brahmin) family that hailed from [Bikrampur](/source/Munshiganj_District) in Bangladesh. Her father, Prantosh Chattopadhyaya, was in the [Indian Army](/source/Indian_Army), and her grandfather was a judge. Her real name is Indira, and Moushumi is her screen name.[2]

Indira Chattopadhyaya was married to Jayanta Mukherjee at a young age.[citation needed] The couple has two daughters. Jayanta Mukherjee is the son of film producer, music composer, and singer Hemanta Mukhopadhyay, popularly known as [Hemant Kumar](/source/Hemant_Kumar) in Hindi film industry. Jayanta is also an exponent of Rabindra Sangeet. She always prioritised her family above her film roles.[3] Her daughter Payal, who had type 1 diabetes, had been in a coma since 2018 and died on 13 December 2019.[4]

## Career

### 1967–1984: Debut and breakthrough

Chatterjee made her film debut as a child heroine in the Bengali hit [*Balika Badhu*](/source/Balika_Badhu_(1967_film)) (1967), directed by [Tarun Majumdar](/source/Tarun_Majumdar)[5] when she was a preteen. In an interview, Moushumi Chatterjee quoted: "After Balika Badhu, I was flooded with Bengali movies but I wished to complete my studies. However, movies were in my fate hence when I was studying in class X, a close aunt of mine was on her death-bed and her last wish was to see me married. Hence, to satisfy her wish I got married."[5] She was called as Indira at home. She got engaged to guardian and neighbour [Hemant Kumar](/source/Hemant_Kumar)'s son, Jayant Mukherjee (Babu). "I fell in love with Babu. He was the first man I came in touch with outside my family."[6] She was then seen in Bengali films like Parineeta, Anindita.

She made her debut as the leading lady in the Hindi film *[Anuraag](/source/Anuraag_(1972_film))* (1972) directed by [Shakti Samanta](/source/Shakti_Samanta). Moushumi played the role of a blind girl and earned her first and only nomination for the [Filmfare Award for Best Actress](/source/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Actress); *Anuraag* won the [Filmfare Award for Best Film](/source/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Film). The film proved to be a major success. About her Hindi film debut, she said in an interview: "As my father-in-law was a renowned film celebrity, many film personalities used to throng our house. One among them was filmmaker Shakti Samanta, who insisted upon me to act in movies. I declined, but both my father-in-law and my husband encouraged me, thus I got *Anuraag*."[5] When asked about her first role in Hindi films she said that "[w]hen Shaktida told me that I have to play a blind lady I was taken aback. I honestly told Shaktida that I may not do justice to the role as I have never studied a blind person, but Shaktida assured me that he will take me to a blind school and train me ... he insisted to do a small Mahurat shot before. [...] When I reached the studio I was excited to see Bollywood luminaries like [Nutanji](/source/Nutan), Dadamoni ([Ashok Kumar](/source/Ashok_Kumar) fondly called), Rajesh Khanna, S. D. Burman and others. The moment Shaktida called action I did my Mahurat shot confidently and was applauded. After the shot, Shaktida told me that I had given the shot so skillfully that there was no need to visit a blind school!"[5]

In 1973, she acted in *Naina* opposite Shashi Kapoor, *Kachhe Dhaage* with [Vinod Khanna](/source/Vinod_Khanna) and *Us Paar* with [Vinod Mehra](/source/Vinod_Mehra). In 1974, she acted with the then-struggling [Amitabh Bachchan](/source/Amitabh_Bachchan) in the thriller *[Benaam](/source/Benaam_(1974_film))* and opposite [Rajesh Khanna](/source/Rajesh_Khanna) in the drama *[Humshakal](/source/Humshakal_(1974_film))*. Her most successful film came at the end of 1974, where she played a rape survivor, in Manoj Kumar's *[Roti Kapada Aur Makaan](/source/Roti_Kapada_Aur_Makaan)*.[7] She received her first and only nomination for the [Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress](/source/Filmfare_Award_for_Best_Supporting_Actress). She went on to become a part of several successful films like *Swarag Narak, Maang Bharo Sajna, Pyaasa Sawan, Jyoti Bane Jwala* with Jeetendra, Swayamvar with Shashi Kapoor and *Anand Ashram* with Rakesh Roshan. She acted with Rishi Kapoor in four films none of which were successful.

She was paired with Vinod Mehra in 10 films,[8] including *Anuraag*, *Us-Paar*, *Raftaar*, *Umar Qaid*, *Mazaaq*, *Zindagi* and *Do Jhoot*. She only acted in 2 films with Amitabh Bachchan, *[Benaam](/source/Benaam_(1974_film))* and Basu Chatterjee's *[Manzil](/source/Manzil_(1979_film))* (1979). Her Bengali film with Uttam Kumar, *[Ogu Bodhu Sundari](/source/Ogo_Bodhu_Shundori)*, released in 1981 and became successful. In 1982, she did the Marathi film (cameo in song Tumhi Adkitta Mi Ho Supari) *Bhannat Bhanu*. Her films with [Rajesh Khanna](/source/Rajesh_Khanna) include *[Bhola Bhala](/source/Bhola_Bhala)*, *[Prem Bandhan](/source/Prem_Bandhan_(1979_film))* and *[Ghar Parivar](/source/Ghar_Parivar)*. She worked with Sanjeev Kumar in many movies including Angoor, Daasi and Itni Si Baat. In 1985, she acted in the Bengali film *Pratigna*.

After 1985, she graduated to supporting roles and acted in movies like *[Watan Ke Rakhwale](/source/Watan_Ke_Rakhwale)*, *[Aag Hi Aag](/source/Aag_Hi_Aag),* *[Ghayal](/source/Ghayal_(1990_film))* and many more.

### 1985–present: Transition period

From 1985 to 1991, Chatterjee got more offers as a character actress and she made the transition to roles of mother and bhabhi (sister-in-law), often pairing with Dharmendra or Sunil Dutt. She played Sunny Deol's sister-in-law in *[Ghayal](/source/Ghayal_(1990_film))*. Occasionally, she got lead roles in films in the 1990s such as *[Ghar Parivaar](/source/Ghar_Parivaar)* and *[Aa Ab Laut Chalen](/source/Aa_Ab_Laut_Chalen)*, both opposite [Rajesh Khanna](/source/Rajesh_Khanna), then *Santaan, Prateeksha* (1993) and *Udhaar Ki Zindagi* with [Jeetendra](/source/Jeetendra) and *Keemat: They Are Back* (1998). She acted in the Indo-Canadian production *Bollywood/Hollywood* in 2003[8] and *Na Tum Jaano Na Hum, Hum Kaun Hai?* in 2004. Moushumi Chatterjee made a comeback to cinema, with Tanuja Chandra's *Zindaggi Rocks* in 2006.

Apart from *Balika Badhu* (1967) her Bengali films as lead heroine include *Parineeta* (1969), *Anindita* (1972), *Anand Ashram* (1977), *[Ogu Bodhu Sundari](/source/Ogo_Bodhu_Shundori)* (1981), *Prarthana* (1984), *Shatarupa* (1989), *[Kari Diye Kinlam](/source/Kari_Diye_Kinlam)* (1989), *Bidhilipi* (1991) and later as supporting actress; *Nater Guru* (2003), *Bhalobasar Anek Naam* (2005), *The Japanese Wife* (2010) and *Goynar Baksho* (2013). She sang a song Tomar Duare in *Mallick Bari* (2009). In 2014, she won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress for the Bengali film *Goynar Baksho* and received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

## Political career

Chatterjee contested in [2004 Lok Sabha election](/source/2004_Lok_Sabha_election) as a candidate for [Indian National Congress](/source/Indian_National_Congress) for the [Calcutta North East constituency](/source/Calcutta_North_East_Lok_Sabha_constituency), but lost to CPM's [Mohammed Salim](/source/Mohammed_Salim_(politician)).[9][10] In 2019, she joined [Bharatiya Janata Party](/source/Bharatiya_Janata_Party).[11]

## Filmography

### Films

Year Title Role Language Notes and Ref. 1967 Balika Badhu Rajani Bengali 1969 Parineeta Lolita Bengali 1972 Anuraag Shivani Hindi Debut as heroine. Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Actress 1973 Naina Naina Hindi Kuchhe Dhaage Sona Hindi Ghulam Begam Badshah Laxmi Hindi 1974 Zehreela Insaan Arati Hindi Us Paar Kamla Hindi Roti Kapada Aur Makaan Tulsi Hindi Nominated: Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actress Humshakal Sita Hindi Benaam Sheela Hindi Badla Kalpana Hindi 1975 Umar Qaid Dr. Bharti Hindi Raftaar Rani/Rita Hindi Natak Sunita Hindi Mazaaq Moushumi Hindi Do Jhoot Lajwanti Hindi Anari Rashmi Hindi 1976 Sabse Bada Rupaiya Sunita Hindi Jai Bajrang Bali Devi Hindi Zindagi Seema Hindi 1977 Anand Ashram Kiran Hindi Hatyara Gauri Hindi Ab Kya Hoga Hindi Cameo 1978 Tumhari Kasam Vidya Hindi Swarg Narak Shobha Hindi Phool Khile Hain Gulshan Gulshan Shanti Hindi Phandebaaz Shanti Hindi Dil Aur Deewar Saroja Hindi Bhola Bhala Renu Hindi Ek Baap Chhe Bete Reena Hindi Cameo 1979 Do Ladke Dono Kadke Rani Hindi Prem Bandhan Meena Hindi Gautam Govinda Sandhya Hindi Manzil Aruna Hindi Love in Canada Seema Hindi Ghar Ki Laaj Janki Hindi 1980 Swayamvar Roopa Hindi Maang Bharo Sajana Sita Hindi Jyoti Bane Jwala Anu Hindi Chambal Ki Kasam Tannibai Hindi Badla aur Balidaan Jyoti Hindi Do Premee Payal/Parvati Hindi Be-Reham Hameeda Banu Hindi Special appearance 1981 Pyaasa Sawan Shanti Hindi Krodhi Aarti Hindi Cameo Itni Si Baat Asha Hindi Daasi Mangala Hindi Kahani Ek Chor Ki Seeta Hindi Ogo Bodhu Shundari Sabitri Bengali 1982 Raksha Asha Hindi Special appearance Angoor Sudha Hindi 1983 Justice Chaudhury Janaki Hindi 1984 Pet Pyaar aur Paap Hindi Jawaani Prema Mohan Hindi Ghar Ek Mandir Laxmi bhabhi Hindi Aan aur Shaan Radha Hindi Delayed release 1985 Rusvaai Hindi Last film with late Sanjeev Kumar Dekha Pyar Tumhara Mrs. Mullick Hindi 1986 Urbashi Urbashi Bengali 1987 Sindoor Cameo Hindi Aag Hi Aag Ganga Singh Hindi Mahananda Mahananda Hindi With Farooq Sheikh Mera Karam Mera Dharam Mala Hindi Watan Ke Rakhwale Laxmi Prakash Hindi Param Dharam Savitri Singh Hindi 1988 Taqdeer Ka Tamasha Greta Hindi Waqt Ki Awaz Justice Sharda Hindi Vijay Rita Hindi Agnee Shobha Hindi 1989 Aakhri Ghulam Hindi Aakhri Baazi Parvati Kumar Hindi Jung Baaz Mrs. Saxena Hindi Sikka Laxmi Hindi Shehzaade Padmini Singh Hindi 1990 Ghayal Indu Mehra Hindi 1991 Ghar Parivaar Parvati Devi Hindi Pyar Ka Devta Chief Justice Saraswati Hindi 1992 Zulm Ki Hukumat Mrs. Pitambar Hindi Khule-Aam Roopadevi Hindi Nishchaiy Renuka Singh Hindi 1993 Prateeksha Laxmi Hindi Santaan Laxmi Hindi 1994 Udhaar Ki Zindagi Janki Hindi Ikke Pe Ikka Kaushalya Devi Hindi 1995 Kartavya Sharda Varma Hindi Jallaad Tara Devi Hindi 1996 Muqaddar Bharati Devi Hindi 1998 Kareeb Hindi Doli Saja Ke Rakhna Chandrika Hindi Keemat – They Are Back Sulakshana Hindi 1999 Aa Ab Laut Chalen Rama Khanna Hindi 2002 Na Tum Jaano Na Hum Mrs. Malhotra Hindi Bollywood/Hollywood Mummyji Hindi Canadian comedy 2003 Nater Guru Manisha's mother Bengali 2004 Hum Kaun Hai? Martha Pinto Hindi 2006 Zindaggi Rocks Indrani Hindi Bhalobasar Onek Naam Bini Bengali 2010 The Japanese Wife Maashi Bengali 2013 Goynar Baksho Pishi Bengali 2015 Piku Chhobi Maashi Hindi 2016 Sesh Sangbad Elina Bengali 2025 Aarii Joya Sen Bengali [12]

### Television

Year Serial Role Notes 1992 Talaash Urmila / Sadhika Season 1, 26 Episodes 1993 Albeli Albeli Season 1 2004 Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai Guest Season 1 2021 Super Dancer Guest Season 4 2023 India's Best Dancer Guest Season 3 2023 The Kapil Sharma Show Guest Season 5

## Awards

Year Award Category Work Result 1968 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Best Actress Balika Badhu 1972 Filmfare Awards Best Actress Anuraag 1974 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress Roti Kapda Aur Makaan Bengal Film Journalists' Association Best Supporting Actress 2002 Genie Awards Best Supporting Actress Bollywood/Hollywood 2014 Filmfare Awards Best Supporting Actress – Bengali Goynar Baksho 2015 Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award Lifetime Achievement Award 2016 Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Lifetime Achievement Award

## References

1. ["EP-Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai - Indian Hindi TV Show - Zee Tv"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQTXCZjM8ro&si=l5Hg0ygKQk-DZ3bb). 11 December 2019. pp. 05:40. Retrieved 28 August 2025. – via YouTube.

1. Gupta, Priya (13 May 2015). ["Moushumi Chatterjee: God is not kind to me, he is partial to me - Times of India"](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/Moushumi-Chatterjee-God-is-not-kind-to-me-he-is-partial-to-me/articleshow/47249555.cms). *The Times of India*. Retrieved 2 September 2020.

1. ["Veteran actress Moushumi Chatterjee moves Bombay HC, wants to meet comatose daughter"](https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/veteran-actress-moushumi-chatterjee-moves-bombay-hc-wants-to-meet-comatose-daughter/articleshow/66761345.cms). *The Economic Times*. 23 November 2018.

1. ["Moushumi Chatterjee's daughter Payal dies at 45"](https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/celebrities/story/moushumi-chatterjee-s-daughter-payal-dies-at-45-1628048-2019-12-13). *India Today*. 13 December 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.

1. ["How Moushumi Chatterjee stunned Shakti Samanta in ANURAAG"](http://www.glamsham.com/movies/scoops/14/apr/26-news-how-moushumi-chatterjee-stunned-shakti-samanta-in-anuraag-041410.asp). *glamsham.com*. Retrieved 27 April 2014.

1. ["Bollywood News, Filmfare Awards, Movie Reviews, Celebrity Photos & Updates"](https://m.filmfare.com/features/candid-chat-with-moushumi-chatterjee-27878-2.html). *filmfare.com*

1. [http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=180](http://www.boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=180) [dead link]

1. ["Bengali Beauty Moushumi Chatterjee - Ruling Bollywood Lady"](http://businessofcinema.com/news/bengali-beauty-moushumi-chatterjee-ruling-bollywood-lady/143018). *businessofcinema.com*. 26 April 2014. Retrieved 27 April 2014.

1. ["Indira Mukherjee (Moushumi Chatterjee)"](https://myneta.info/loksabha2004/candidate.php?candidate_id=5171). *myneta.info*. Retrieved 30 October 2025.

1. ["Actress Moushumi Chatterjee Joins BJP Just Months Ahead of Lok Sabha Polls"](https://www.news18.com/news/politics/actress-moushumi-chatterjee-joins-bjp-just-months-ahead-of-ls-polls-1989693.html). *News18*. 2 January 2019. Retrieved 2 November 2020.

1. ["Veteran Indian actor joins BJP, praises Modi"](https://www.khaleejtimes.com/wknd/entertainment/veteran-indian-actor-joins-bjp-praises-modi). *[Khaleej Times](/source/Khaleej_Times)*. Indo-Asian News Service. 19 February 2019. Retrieved 5 May 2019.

1. ["Latest in entertainment, lifestyle, fashion | t2ONLINE - Vibe With The tRIBE"](https://t2online.in/goodlife/wheels-1/the-trailer-of-aarii-points-to-a-sweet-mother-son-relationship%25C2%25A0/1398930). *www.t2online.in*. Retrieved 2025-04-11.

## External links

- [Moushumi Chatterjee](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0154139/) at IMDb

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Moushumi Chatterjee](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moushumi_Chatterjee) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moushumi_Chatterjee?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.