Ranjit Mallick (রঞ্জিত মল্লিক) (born 28 September 1944) is an Indian actor who works mainly in Bengali cinema.[1] Though he has starred in parallel films like Interview, Calcutta 71, Shakha Proshakha and romantic comedy like Mouchak; he is particularly known for appearing in action films such as Shatru, Guru Dakshina, Jibon Niye Khela etc. In later years, he has further received praise for playing supporting roles in Sathi, Nater Guru, Gyarakal, Chander Bari and Bajimaat.[1] He was also the Sheriff of Kolkata for the year 2014.[2]
Ranjit was born on 28 September 1944 in Calcutta, West Bengal, into the Mallick Bari of Bhowanipore[3] He is the grandson of Bengali scientist Indumadhab Mallick.[4] His nickname is Ranju. He studied at the Asutosh College and later at the Syamaprasad College of the University of Calcutta.[5]
Ranjit started his career with Bengali director Mrinal Sen's film Interview (1971). He received the International Best Actor Award from Karlovy Vary for this work. He then become a popular[clarification needed] romantic hero in the 1970s and featured in films like Mouchak, Devi Chaudharani, Raag Anuraag, Sayang Siddha. Satyajit Ray cast him in his film Shakha Proshakha, where he played the role of a young man who was caught between values and tradition.[6]
Since the 1984 film Shatru by Anjan Choudhury, he started working on action roles. His daughter, Koel Mallick is also an actress in the Bengali film industry.[7]