Victor Banerjee
Victor Banerjee (born Partho Sarathi Banerjee; 15 October 1946) is an Indian actor of Bengali descent who has performed in Hindi, Bengali, English, and Assamese-language films.[1][2] He debuted in feature films with Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977), portraying the prime minister of Awadh.[3] Banerjee earned international recognition for his role as Dr. Aziz in David Lean's A Passage to India (1984), a performance nominated for a BAFTA Award for Best Actor.[4][5] Banerjee's career spans collaborations with acclaimed directors including Roman Polanski, James Ivory, and Mrinal Sen, alongside extensive work in Indian cinema.[6] He received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Nikhil in Ray's Ghare Baire (1984).[7][8] In 2022, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan, India's third-highest civilian honour, recognizing his contributions to the arts.[9] Banerjee holds an MA in comparative literature and has maintained a low-profile personal life, focusing on acting and occasional directing, such as the award-winning documentary The Splendour of Garhwal and Roopkund.[10][4]