Rituparno Ghosh's 50th birth anniversary: The best films of the maverick director

Many say 'Abohoman' was based on Satyajit Ray's life but Ghosh never confirmed it. The film narrated the story of a renowned director who falls in love with young actress who is of his son's age and how he mentors her to be a fine actress. The film featured Dipankar de, Mamata Shankar, Ananya Chatterjee and Jisshu Sengupta.

Starring Ajay Devgn and Aishwarya Rai, Ghosh's first hindi film 'Raincoat' was a story of two lovers, separated by destiny, who meet again one day. While they reminiscence about old days, they also hide the grave poverty that they both are facing in present times.

Poetic, sublime 'Dosor' was shot entirely in black and white. The film explored the relationship of a couple, the wife who is aware of her husbands illicit affair and how she has to nurse him back to health after he gets injured in an accident inspite of having a strained relationship with him. The film featured Prasenjit Chatterjee and Konkona Sen Sharma.

Kirron Kher featured in and as 'Bariwali'- a tale of a lonely landlady who rents out her sprawling bungalow to a film crew to shoot their film. While the film's being shot, the landlady finds herself drawn to the charming director who even convinces her to a bit role in the film.

Aparna Sen and daughter Konkona Sen Sharma acted in poignant film called 'Titli' which was based on mother-daughter relationship. The film also featured Mithun Chakraborty in a key role.

Rituparno Ghosh managed a casting coup when he cast veteran actresses Rakhee Gulzar and Sharmila Tagore in 'Shubho Mahurat'. This Miss Marple-esque film had Rakhee playing a middle aged woman who gives out relevant clues in solving the case of murdered actress.

Rituparno Ghosh's only English film 'The Last Lear' featured Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Preity Zinta and Shefali Shah. The film was based on actor Utpal Dutt's semiautobiographical play 'Aajker Shahjahan' which Ghosh adapted for the film.

'Unishe April' was Rituparno Ghosh's second feature film as a director. The world was yet unknown to the this sensitive director's poignant story telling. The film revolved around a dancer mother and her doctor daughter who shared a strained relationship. The story unfolded on 19 April, which happened to be an important date in both their lives and how the rediscover their love and bond for each other on that day. The film featured Aparna Sen, Deboshree Roy and Prasenjit Chaterjee.

Bipasha Basu's debut in Bangla film , 'Shob Charitra Kalponik' had her playing a wife to a maverick poet (Prasenjit Chatterjee). The film narrates the story of Radhika and how she rediscovers her husband and his work only after his untimely death.

One of the most relevant filmmakers of our times, Rituparno Ghosh left an indelible mark on Indian cinema with his sensitive, poignant stories of the common man. While all his works are brilliant, we pick out 10 of his films that one must watch.A screen adaptation of Rabindranath Tagore's book by the same name, 'Chokher Bali' was a story of unrequited love, of adultery and of trust and loyalty. Aishwarya Rai, Raima Sen and Prasenjit Chatterjee played the main characters in the film.