Kanu Roy

Kanu Roy Biography

Kanu Roy was a film actor and music composer associated with Bengali and Bollywood films in the classic era. As a music composer, his works with Basu Chatterjee films are notable, with most memorable work being Anubhav in 1971. He recorded one of the best songs of Geeta Dutt – Meri Jaan a few months before her death. Koi Chupke Se Aake and Mera Dil Jo Mera Hota are other songs recorded for the film. It was her comeback to playback singer once but for the last time. Kanu Roy has played character roles since 1943 and was fully associated with film industry till his death in 1980.

Kanu Roy joined film industry as an actor in the early talkies. As an actor his first credited role is Ashok Kumar starrer Kismet (1943) – first Bollywood blockbuster. He played Chandraprabha’s lover in the film. He also shared screen space with Ashok Kumar in 1949 super hit film, Barsaat. As a music composer he is best known for giving some of the finest songs to Geeta Dutt during her lifetime. Uski Kahani and Anubhav are among those. Avishkar is yet other finest work as a composer.

As a music composer he is also known for Shyamla, Sparsh, Griha Pravesh etc. Though he was extremely talented, he got only a few opportunities. But he was satisfied with what he got from the industry. Most of his compositions were done for Gulzar and Basu Chatterjee. He played brief roles in Tumsa Nahin Dekha, Ham Sab Chor Hain, Jagriti, Munimji etc. Because of financial constraints only a few musical instruments were used by the composer for Anubhav. But later it was praised as the finest work of his career.

Published: August 24, 2019

Updated: August 24, 2019