There can absolutely be no denying the fact that MOUSHUMI CHATTERJEE or Indu as she is fondly known was way ahead of her times and that is the very reason that she left people staring at her agape as she went into heavy duty mode flirting with her co-stars not behind locked doors in make-up rooms but openly on the sets between shots.

Back then in the early 70's even holding hands in public was considered to be a big deal and here was a married actress who flirted outrageously not just verbally but physically. No wonder people were scandalised that the daughter-in-law of a musical icon of the stature of HEMANT KUMAR conducted herself in such a manner.

Is it any surprise then that back then MOUSHUMI CHATTERJEE was labelled as the industry's hottest and favorite laptop and before you remind me that back then laptops were not even heard of and even typewriters were a luxury few could afford, what got Indu labelled as a laptop was that she had this cute(some found it outrageously scandalous) habit of hopping onto the lap of her co-stars and making herself comfortable even when chairs were available on the sets.

While this made her much in demand with her heroes be they VINOD MEHRA or VINOD KHANNA, SHASHI KAPOOR or RAJESH KHANNA,JEETENDER or DHARMENDER and got her a lot of films yet it upset the heroines as well as the wives of the stars.

Born on April 26th, 1948 in Calcutta MOUSHUMI CHATTOPADHAYAY went on to marry JAYANTA MUKHERJEE thus making her the daughter in law of HEMANT KUMAR.It was in 1967 that she caught the attention of TARUN MAJUMDAR who launched her career in the film BALIKA BADHU that was made in Bangla as well as Hindi and was an absolute runaway hit in both languages. Since then there has been simply no looking back for her. She began her career when she was just 19 years old and now even at 61 she is highly active in Bollywood doing more than her share of films.

In her illustrious career that has seen more highs than lows, she has been showered with accolades galore for her lofty performances in films like Anuraag, Roti Kapda Makan,Balika Badhu, Zahreela Insaan, Kuchey Dhaage, Benaam,Ghulam Begum Badshah, Sabse Bada Rupiya, Swarg Narak Anari,Anand Ashram,Gautam Govinda,Manzil,Pyaasa Sawan, Maang Bharo Sajna, Anjoor,Krodhi and Aa Ab Laut Chaley and several more that made her a top ranking actress in Bollywood right across the late 60's into the mid 90's before she changed gears and moved into her second innings.

Call it a pleasant surprise or a sheer coincidence that TARUN MAZUMDAR the very person who launched Indu's career with Balika Badhu in 1967 happened to be the very same personality who took credit for launching the career of MEGHNA CHATTERJEE with a Bengali film' Bhalo Bashar Onek Naam' that saw MOUSHUMI CHATTERJEE work along with her daughter on the screen with the same person who had launched her in films. Indeed a rare and distinguished achievement for MOUSHUMI-MEGHNA and certainly TARUN MAZUMDAR.

Indeed with this film the circle has been completed for MOUSHUMI CHATTERJEE!!!

BY: THE LIP

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