She entered the film world unusually early, balancing marriage, motherhood and stardom before most actors even finished school. Fiercely independent, she refused to compromise with her dignity even when doing so cost her big films.
By the 1970s, she was among Bollywood’s highest-paid actresses, admired for her natural charm. Off-screen, her blunt honesty became both her strength and her biggest professional hurdle in the industry, driven by allies and relationships.
That actress was Moushumi Chatterjee, a leading star of Hindi and Bengali cinema who ruled the 1970s and transitioned into strong supporting roles in the 1980s.
Moushumi made her acting debut as a kid with the 1967 Bengali film Balika Badhu, which instantly made her a star. Later, she married Jayant Mukherjee, son of music director Hemant Kumar, at just 15.
By 17, she was already a mother of two. With encouragement from her husband and father-in-law, Moushumi continued acting. She later made a successful Hindi debut with Anuraag in 1972 which became a major hit.
She went on to deliver memorable performances in films like Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Benaam, Angoor, and several successful Bengali projects.
Few know that Moushumi was once deeply infatuated with Dev Anand. In old interviews, she openly admitted being obsessed with the legendary actor, calling him one of her favourite stars.
As the industry shifted in the 1980s, she began receiving supporting roles. Moushumi later revealed her outspoken nature led to her being replaced in films like Desh Premee and Barsaat Ki Ek Raat despite signing them.
“I signed them but then I was out of the picture. Because I never compromise. I had to be a ‘yes woman’ on everything. And I can’t do it,” she said.
She shared screen space with Dharmendra multiple times, including Phandebaaz, Mera Karam Mera Dharam, Aag Hi Aag and Shehzaade, forming a memorable on-screen pairing across decades.
In the 1990 blockbuster Ghayal, Moushumi played Sunny Deol’s sister-in-law with Raj Babbar as her husband. The film also starred Meenakshi Seshadri, Amrish Puri, Om Puri and Shabbir Khan.
During the shooting, she scolded Sunny Deol for arriving late on set and warned him not to damage Dharmendra’s reputation. It is believed that Sunny later apologised to the actress and maintained decorum.
