Bidhan Chandra Roy was an extraordinary physician, whose skill and clinical expertise were truly remarkable. He served as the second Chief Minister of Bengal and was once the Mayor of Kolkata. Having returned from abroad with prestigious degrees like MRCP and FRCS, he was not just remembered as a brilliant doctor, but also as a prominent political figure in Bengal’s history. Yet, there is another story about him—one that has long lived in the imagination of Bengalis: the legend of his unfulfilled love.

Bengalis are often drawn to tales of unfulfilled longing. There’s something about sorrowful stories that resonate deeply with the heart—and Dr. Roy’s supposed love story is no exception. This widely circulated tale tells of a woman named Kalyani, to whom Bidhan Roy was said to be deeply devoted. The story has been retold through generations and across various media — from TV and radio to the internet.

At the center of this fictional narrative is Dr. Nilratan Sircar, portrayed in imagination as a stern, disapproving father. But in reality, this story holds no historical truth. The idea that Bidhan Roy was in love with Nilratan Sircar’s daughter Kalyani is nothing more than a fabricated myth. Dr. Sircar had five daughters — Nalini Basu, Arundhati Chatterjee, Shanta Sen, Meera Sen, and Kamala Chatterjee — but none of them were named Kalyani. Moreover, Bidhan Roy shared a cordial relationship with Nilratan Sircar and even served as his personal physician.

So where did the name “Kalyani” come from?

During World War II, a base was constructed near Kolkata for the U.S. military, which later became known as Kalyani. Under Dr. Roy’s vision, this area was transformed into a well-planned town, which he named Kalyani. It is likely that from this association, the name “Kalyani” became romantically linked to a fictional love story involving Bidhan Roy.

Some believe that Dr. Roy remained unmarried due to a failed love affair, but in his own words, his true love was his work. He once said, “I am married to my work.” Yet, we have turned his bachelor life into a spicy romantic tale, detached from reality.

Even today, this false story continues to live on in Bengali society, passed down through generations as if it were true. But in reality, it is nothing more than a myth — a fabricated legend born over time.