Jahar Roy (19 September 1919 – 1 August 1977) was an Indian actor and comedian in Bengali cinema. He was known for his comedy films with Bhanu Bandyopadhyay.
Early life Roy came from a Bengali Baidya family having its root in Mahilara, Barisal District (of the present Bangladesh). His father Satya Roy was also an actor and later moved to Patna, in search of livelihood. It is here where Jahar Roy completed his studies and started working on odd jobs such as proof reader, medical representative and finally a tailor. He left all these and came to Calcutta around 1946.
Movie career Roy earned a substantial fan following even though he was a character actor. And all thanks to his roly-poly build, he was a frequent choice of directors who wanted to add comedy to serious movies. Roy's first major film roles were in Purbarag directed by Ardhendu Mukherjee, and in Anjangarh (1948) directed by Bimal Roy. Among his countless performances are Dhanyee Meye, Chadmabeshi and Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant. He acted in a couple of films under the direction of Satyajit Ray. Although a small role, Roy portrayed the male servant of Tulsi Chakrabarti in Parash Pathar. There was a meatier role in Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne where he played the role of a crooked warmongering minister of an innocent and peace-loving king. He also performed the song Cho Cho Kya Sharam Ki Baat in Chhadmabeshi. At the end of his career, when he was ailing, he did a cameo in Ritwik Ghatak's autobiographical film Jukti Takko Aar Gappo. He acted in around 350 films.
Theatre and comedy Jahor Roy was renowned for his significant contributions to Bengali theatre. Over a career spanning two decades, he showcased his acting prowess in numerous plays. A lifelong associate of Rang Mahal theatre in Kolkata, his performances in plays such as Adarsha Hindu Hotel, Ulka, Subarnagolak, and Anartha are still celebrated.
Known for his wit and adeptness in physical comedy, Jahor Roy also composed several skits, including Nyapasur Badh, Function theke shashan, and many others. Unfortunately, most of these compositions are no longer available.
Selected filmography Year Film Role Director 1947PurbaragArdhendu Mukherjee1948 Anjangarh Bimal Roy1950Pehla AadmiSoldierBimal Roy1952 Basu Poribar Nirmal Dey1953Sharey Chuattor Kamakhya Nirmal Dey1955Upahar ServantTapan SinhaDashyumohanDrug addictArdhendu MukherjeeDakinir CharPremendra Mitra1957UlkaTupeyNaresh Mitra1957KabuliwalaBholaTapan Sinha1958Parash PatharBrajahariSatyajit RayRajlakshmi O Srikanta SadhujiHaridas BhattacharyaBari Theke PaliyeTraffic policemanRitwik Ghatak1958Bhanu Pelo LotteryJohure1958Jamalaye Jibanta ManushBichitraguptaPrafulla Chakraborty1962Atal Jaler Ahwan Jayantra's ServantAjoy Kar1963PalatakSudha's fatherTarun Majumdar1965SubarnarekhaMukherjeeRitwik GhatakAbhaya O SrikantaMess ownerHaridas Bhattacharya1964JotugrihoUttam Kumar, Tapan Sinha1965Thana Theke AschiHiren Nag1966Kal Tumi AleyaManager of medical homeSachin Mukherjee1967Nayika SangbadMadhuAgradoot1967Ashite AshionaSree Jayadrath1968Chowringhee Pinaki Bhushan Mukherjee1968BaghiniBijoy Bose1969Goopy Gyne Bagha BynePrime Minister of HallaSatyajit Ray1970RajkumariNishipadmaNatabarArabinda Mukherjee 1971 Bhanu Goenda Jahar Assistant Jahor Bandopadhyay Purnendy Roychowdhury Dhanyee Meye Gobordhon ChaudhuriArabinbo Mukherjee Chhadmabeshi Driver MoshaheblaalAgradoot 1972Morjina Abdulla Baba Mustafa Dinen Gupto1974Jukti Takko Aar Gappo CameoRitwik GhatakThaginiTarun Majumdar1975Chhutir Phande 1977Ek Je Chhilo Desh DoctorTapan Sinha
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