Anik Dutta, maker of ‘Bhooter Bhabishyat’, dies after fall from rooftop
Initial probe by the police indicates suicide; Dutta was reportedly battling depression and respiratory issues
Acclaimed Bengali film director Anik Dutta passed away after a fatal fall from the rooftop of his residence in South Kolkata on Wednesday (May 27). The filmmaker, best known for his debut project Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012) and the critically acclaimed Aparajito (2022), was around 66.
The incident reportedly took place on Wednesday afternoon at a multi-storied building in Hindustan Park where his wife lived. Following the fall, he was rushed to a private hospital in Dhakuria in critical condition, where doctors reportedly declared him dead.
According to initial investigation by the police, the director likely died by suicide. Some news reports suggest that a suicide note was found on the terrace in which the director wrote no one was to be blamed for his death.
His close associates indicated to media houses that he had been battling severe depression and long-standing respiratory issues. He had reportedly been hospitalised at least three times over the past two years due to mental health issues and respiratory complications. He reportedly lived alone.
A clear and witty voice
Dutta was a prominent left-leaning, witty storyteller who left an indelible stamp on modern Bengali cinema. Before transitioning to feature films, he spent over two decades as a highly successful director in the advertising industry—a jump he shared with the legendary Satyajit Ray.
His tribute to Ray, a critically acclaimed film titled Aparajito (2022), named after the maestro’s 1956 masterpiece, mapped Ray’s journey in making Pather Panchali. Besides achieving substantial box office success, the project also bagged two National Film Awards at its 70th version announced in 2024.
But for the masses, Dutta was best known as the director of Bhooter Bhabishyat (2012), a phenomenal directorial debut, widely considered a landmark political and social satire in Bengali cinema. Its witty dialogues became parts of the Bengali lexicon, much like his idol Ray’s films.
His other notable works included Ashchorjyo Prodeep (2013), a fantasy-satire exploring consumerism, Borunbabur Bondhu (2020), a poignant drama starring the late veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee, and Joto Kando Kolkatatei (2025), a detective mystery thriller and his final release. He was reportedly working on Aparajito 2, but it may never see light of day.