Santu Mukherjee

Santu Mukherjee (14 January 1951 – 11 March 2020) was an Indian actor who worked in Bengali cinema. He was the father of actress Swastika Mukherjee. His younger brother, Sumanta Mukherjee, is also an actor.

Early life and biography
Santu Mukherjee was born on 17 January 1951 in Kolkata. He attended the Mitra Institution at Bhowanipore at a primary level and later, joined the Padmapukur Institution at Sarat Bose Road, from where he passed his Higher Secondary Examination. He soon dropped out from studies and took dance lessons from Gopal Bhattacharya. He also learned Rabindra Sangeet.

He went to renowned director Tapan Sinha, seeking a role in Bengali films. In 1975, Sinha launched him as an actor in the film Raja. Subsequent to his cinematic breakthrough, he working in theater and films. His last film was Sanjhbati.

Mukherjee died on 11 March 2020 from cardiac arrest at his South Kolkata residence; he had been suffering from cancer for a long time.

Television
Santu's acting reached its pinnacle when he started acting in the Television serial shows. Some of the popular shows were:
 * Keya Patar Nouko
 * Ishti Kutum
 * Saat Paake Bandha (later replaced by Rohit Mukherjee)
 * Jol Nupur
 * Kojagori
 * Ichche Nodee
 * Kusum Dola
 * Andarmahal
 * Phagun Bou
 * Mayurpankhi
 * Nokshi Kantha
 * Mohor (later replaced by Dulal Lahiri)

Santu Mukherjee as Singer
Santu recorded several songs. In the Bengali movie "Parabot Priya" Santu Mukherjee sang a duet song (Rabindra Sangeet) along with co-artist Arundhati Hom Choudhury: "Amar hridoy tomar apon hater dole".

In the album "Ei akashe amar Mukti aloy aloy" he sang the title song along with his daughter Swastika. His rendition "Tumi daak diyechho kon sokale" was mesmerizing.