Keshto Mukherjee (7 August 1925 – 3 March 1982) was a renowned Indian actor and comedian from Kolkata, best known for his comic drunkard roles in Hindi films despite being a lifelong teetotaller. In a 1981 Stardust interview, he candidly described drinking out of frustration and loneliness while struggling to find work in Bombay. Keshto maintained a close relationship with the acclaimed director Ritwik Ghatak, appearing in pivotal roles such as the trickster in Bari Theke Paliye, the madman in Ajantrik, and various parts in Nagarik and Jukti Takko Aar Gappo, highlighting his versatility beyond comedy.
Family and personal life
Keshto Mukherjee was married to Shobha Mukherjee, and they had two sons, Ashok Mukherjee and Babloo Mukherjee. His Younger Son Ashok Mukherjee Died in Road Accident.
Death
Keshto Mukherjee died on March 3, 1982, due to a heart attack in Mumbai (then Bombay).
Selected filmography
- Nagarik (1952) - Jatin Babu
- Musafir (1957) - Street Dancer
- Ajantrik (1958) - Lunatic
- Bari Theke Paliye (1958) - Magician
- Lukochuri (1958)
- Khazanchi (1958)
- Parakh (1960) - Compounder Keshto
- Masoom (1960) - CID Officer
- Aas Ka Panchhi (1961)
- China Town (1962) - Keshto
- Prem Patra (1962)
- Asli Naqli (1962)
- Aashiq (1962) - Bheekhu
- Aarti (1962) - Johnny
- Daal Me Kala (1964) - Mangu
- Faraar (1965) - School Janitor
- Akashdeep (1965) - Ramu (uncredited)
- Teesri Kasam (1966) - Shivratan
- Pinjre Ke Panchhi (1966) - Keshto (Barber)
- Paari (1966)
- Biwi aur Makan (1966)
- Mehrban (1967) - Gadhamaharaj's devotee
- Majhli Didi (1967) - Bhola - Navin's employee
- Baazi (1968) - Madhav
- Padosan (1968) - Calcuttiya
- Shikar (1968)
- Sadhu Aur Shaitaan (1968)
- Apna Ghar Apni Kahani (1968)
- Anokhi Raat (1968) - Buyer (stammerer)
- Chanda Aur Bijli (1969) - Raju
- Suhana Safar (1970) - Keshto
- Maa Aur Mamta (1970) - Drunkard
- Geet (1970) - Keshav
- Mere Humsafar (1970) - Abdul Narayan D'Souza
- Umang (1970) - Prem Praksh Jagmag (uncredited)
- Maa Ka Aanchal (1970) - Drunkard Flower Vendor
- Bachpan (1970) - Advocate John - Tom's dad
- Guddi (1971) - Kader Bhai
- Rakhwala (1971) - Drunk patient (uncredited)
- Mere Apne (1971) - Jattu
- Memsaab (1971) - Masterji
- Lakhon Mein Ek (1971) - Chatterjee
- Ek Nari Ek Brahmachari (1971) - Doctor
- Door Ka Raahi (1971) - Paunchkaudi
- Chori Chori (1972) - Hotel Manager
- Piya Ka Ghar (1972) - Baburao Kulkarni
- Sanjog (1972) - Mohan's Father
- Bombay To Goa (1972) - Sleeping Passenger
- Lalkaar (1972) - Keshto
- Parichay (1972) - Teacher
- Koshish (1972) - The Man irritated by Hari's whistling (uncredited)
- Sabse Bada Sukh (1972) - Guide at railway station
- Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972) - Soldier
- Bindiya Aur Bandook (1972)
- Anokha Milan (1972)
- Mem Saheb (1972)
- Loafer (1973) - Drunk
- Zanjeer (1973) - Gangu
- Bada Kabootar (1973) - Abdul
- Sweekar (1973) - Drunkman
- Samjhauta (1973) - Cheater at R.K.Studio
- Chalaak (1973) - Gangaram Sakharam Patil
- Achanak (1973) - Man in the train
- Nirmaan (1974) - Bajrangi
- Apradhi (1974) - Nawab Ashiq Mizaaj
- Aarop (1974) - Kunwarelal
- Geetaa Mera Naam (1974) - Keshto - Raja's Assistant
- Aap Ki Kasam (1974) - Kanhaiya Lal (uncredited)
- Jab Andhera Hota Hai (1974) - Drunkard
- Chor Chor (1974) - Keshto Mukherjee
- Trimurti (1974) - Drunk Man
- 5 Rifles (1974) - Drunkard
- Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye (1974) - Prospective groom for Janniya
- Jeevan Rekha (1974)
- Imaan (1974) - Mama
- Humrahi (1974)
- Call Girl (1974)
- Maze Le Lo (1975)
- Kaam Shastra (1975)
- Chupke Chupke (1975) - James D'Costa (Driver)
- Aakraman (1975) - Rangeela
- Qaid (1975) - Kanhaiyalal
- Pratigya (1975) - Chandi
- Kala Sona (1975) - Drunkard
- Sholay (1975) - Hariram
- Salaakhen (1975) - Qaidi No.840
- Mazaaq (1975) - Waiter
- Kahte Hain Mujhko Raja (1975)
- Do Thug (1975) - Jaggu
- Dhoti Lota Aur Chaupaty (1975)
- Aag Aur Toofan (1975)
- Sankoch (1976) - Dhakkan
- Sabse Bada Rupaiya (1976) - Himalaya Club's President
- Charas (1976) - Police Inspector Gomes
- Zindagi (1976) - Principal 'Kalu'
- Sikka (1976)
- Rakhi Aur Rifle (1976)
- Meera Shyam (1976)
- Gumrah (1976) - Kesto - Drunk
- Arjun Pandit (1976) - Examiner
- Aaj Ka Mahatma (1976) - Pedro
- Vir Mangdavalo (1976) (Gujarati film)
- Amaanat (1977) - Drunk
- Chala Murari Hero Banane (1977) - Abdul
- Tinku (1977) - Truck Driver
- Sahib Bahadur (1977) - Trumpet Player
- Ram Bharose (1977)
- Niaz Aur Namaz (1977)
- Naami Chor (1977)
- Kitaab (1977) - Pandit Shankar Lal
- Kinara (1977)
- Inkaar (1977) - Drunk fishing at the china creek
- Dildaar (1977) - Raju
- Daku Aur Mahatma (1977) - Shersingh
- Chacha Bhatija (1977) - Kesto
- Agar... If (1977) - Chaman
- Aafat (1977) - Pyare Miyan
- Rahu Ketu (1978) - Taxi driver
- Aakhri Daku (1978)
- Naukri (1978) - Hawaldar
- Damaad (1978) - Tulsiram
- Azad (1978) - Ramesh Sharma
- Giddha (1978) - Policeman
- Devta (1978)
- Khatta Meetha (1978) - Milkman in the song "Roll Roll"
- Dillagi (1978) - Tonga driver
- Do Ladke Dono Kadke (1979) - Shantu's husband / Local drunk
- Sargam (1979) - Tushar Babu Ghosh / Chatterjee
- Prem Bandhan (1979) - Johny - Dr Vinod's Assistant
- Jhoota Kahin Ka (1979) - Rahim (Chauffeur)
- Gol Maal (1979) - Drunk
- Jurmana (1979) - Babu Ram
- Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) - Watchman
- Hum Tere Ashiq Hain (1979) - Mukherjee
- Do Shikari (1979) - Gulu
- Salaam Memsaab (1979) - James
- Ghar Ki Laaj (1979) - Manphool
- Desh Drohi (1980) - Drunkman in Hotel Room
- Khubsurat (1980) - Dayal's cook
- Aap Ke Deewane (1980) - Lawyer
- The Burning Train (1980) - Passenger in toilet
- Hum Nahin Sudhrenge (1980) - Mukherjee
- Red Rose (1980) - Man came to buy brassiere for his girlfriend
- Be-Reham (1980) - Ram Prasad
- Taxi Chor (1980) - Robert
- Qatil Kaun (1980) - Press Manager
- Garam Khoon (1980)
- Ganga Aur Suraj (1980)
- Paanch Qaidi (1981) - Sharaabi
- Kudrat (1981) - Jagat Ram
- Mangalsutra (1981) - Drunk in Tonga
- Wardat (1981) - Dharamdas
- Naseeb (1981) - Ad Film Director
- Rocky (1981) - Drunk Driver
- Chhupa Chhuppi (1981)
- Shradhanjali (1981) - Rocky - Drummer
- Sansani: The Sensation (1981) - Juman Miya
- Nai Imarat (1981) - Drinkard
- Meena Kumari Ki Amar Kahani (1981)
- Main Aur Mera Haathi (1981)
- Katilon Ke Kaatil (1981) - Husband of lady with necklace
- Jeene ki Arzoo (1981)
- Hathkadi (1982) - Drunkman
- Dial 100 (1982) - P. K. Bahke
- Meharbaani (1982)
- Troyee (1982) - Drunkard
- Ghazab (1982) - Emperor
- Dil-E-Nadan (1982)
- Waqt-Waqt Ki Baat (1982)
- Shiv Charan (1982) - Sweeper
- Rachna (1983) - Babu
- Paanchwin Manzil (1983)
- Divorce (1984) - Shankar dada
- Kasam Durga Ki (1984)
- Hanste Khelte (1984) - Canteen Owner
- Hum Dono (1985) - Shankar
- Maa Ki Saugandh (1986)
- Aatank (1996) - Phillips Crasto (uncredited) (final film role)
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Film | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
1976 | Filmfare Awards | Best Performance in a Comic Role | Kaala Sona | Nominated |
1978 | Chacha Bhatija | Nominated | ||
1979 | Azaad | Nominated | ||
1981 | Be-Reham | Nominated | ||
Khubsoorat | Won |
External links
References
"Don't miss out on the laughs". Financial Express. 1 February 2009. Archived from the original on 27 July 2014. Retrieved 14 June 2013. http://www.financialexpress.com/news/dont-miss-out-on-the-laughs/417542 ↩
"Biography". Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 24 April 2013. http://www.gomolo.com/keshto-mukherjee-biography/16291/994340 ↩
"Keshto Mukherjee Biography, Filmography & Movie List - BookMyShow". BookMyShow. Archived from the original on 25 August 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2017. https://in.bookmyshow.com/amp/person/keshto-mukherjee/1068271 ↩
"He hammed with humour". The Hindu. 30 July 2004. Archived from the original on 10 April 2010. Retrieved 14 June 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20100410014044/http://www.hindu.com/fr/2004/07/30/stories/2004073002100300.htm ↩
"#GoldenFrames: Keshto Mukherjee, one of the most talented comedians of Indian Cinema | Photogallery - ETimes". photogallery.indiatimes.com. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022. https://photogallery.indiatimes.com/celebs/goldenframes/goldenframes-keshto-mukherjee/articleshow/85286671.cms ↩
"Keshto Muk". 6 May 2020. Archived from the original on 19 March 2023. Retrieved 19 March 2023. https://bollywoodirect.medium.com/keshto-muk-45564b00b9e7 ↩
न्यूज़, एबीपी (22 June 2021). "केष्टो मुखर्जी की कहानी: शराबी के रोल ने दिलाई पहचान लेकिन रियल लाइफ में कभी नहीं पी शराब". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 8 April 2023. Retrieved 8 April 2022. https://www.abplive.com/entertainment/remember-keshto-mukherjee-the-comedian-drunk-from-old-hindi-movies-he-was-teetotaller-1930578 ↩
"HBD Keshto Mukherjee: कैस्टो मुखर्जी का चेहरा देख हंस पड़ते थे दर्शक, ऐसे हुआ था बिमल रॉय से सामना". News18 हिंदी (in Hindi). 7 August 2021. Archived from the original on 8 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022. https://hindi.news18.com/news/entertainment/bollywood-keshto-mukherjee-birth-anniversary-intersting-facts-about-drunk-comedian-ss-3683953.html ↩