Bhaskar Bhattacharyya

Prominent film maker dies in accident

Photo by Colin Cookson

New Delhi | February 11, 2006 12:43:12 AM IST 

Film maker Bhaskar Bhattacharyya died in an accident in Chennai today.

Bhaskar, 56, is survived by his wife Rohini and son Bhuva.

Family sources said he had gone for a swim and was swept by waves into the deep sea.

He was there for a shoot.

The last rites will take place in New Delhi tomorrow, they added.

An acclaimed documentary film maker and former head of programming BITB, Bhaskar worked with top international broadcasters including Channel4 and BBC (UK) National Geographic channel (USA) and ARTE TV (FRA/GER).

Born in Darjeeling and brought up in Uganda and UK, Bhaskar spend many years living with sadhus, Sufis and Shamans and studied Sanskrit in Benaras. 'Bhaskar Baba' to many of his friends he is acknowledged as a key player in conception and implementation of ambitious coverage of Kumbh Mela on Channel 4 across UK.

He was a conduit between main stream television and mystical and spiritual traditions of India.