He will live forever through his cinema: Friends, politicians and industry colleagues remember Soumitra Chatterjee

An incredible cultural icon, a loyal buddy and a cerebral persona with diversified pursuits is how politicians, colleagues and followers of his cinema remembered legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who died in a Kolkata hospital on Sunday after a protracted battle with a number of illnesses.

Chatterjee, 85, was admitted to the hospital on October 6 after he examined positive for Covid-19. He recovered from the an infection, however his situation didn’t enhance.

The actor made his debut in 1959 with Satyajit Ray’s “Apur Sansar”, the third movie in his well-known Apu collection, and went on to take pleasure in an important actor-director relationship by starring in Ray classics like “Charulata”, “Ghare Baire”, “Devi” and “Aranyer Din Ratri”.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi mentioned Chatterjee’s loss of life is a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural lifetime of West Bengal and India. “Through his works, he came to embody Bengali sensibilities, emotions and ethos. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti,” the PM tweeted.

Condoling Chatterjee’s loss of life, Home Minister Amit Shah mentioned the long-lasting actor took Bengali cinema to new heights. “In Soumitra Da, Indian silver screen has lost a gem. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and countless followers. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti.”

Tagore, who was the late actor’s first co-star in “Apur Sansar”, “Devi” and different movies, mentioned Chatterjee was her closest pals.

“I was 13 and he was 10 years elder to me when we started working in ‘Apur Sansar.’ I really respected and admired him for what he stood for. He was one my oldest friends, after Tiger (husband) and Shashi Kapoor. He has been such a loyal and fun friend,” Tagore informed PTI.

“But I know he will live forever in our memories because his legacy is so immense. It encompasses so much. He wasn’t only an actor. He would paint, sing, was well read, had immense knowledge of theatre, he would write poetries and short stories for his grandchildren. His interests were vast.”

Tagore mentioned ‘Apur Sansar’ was the start of a good looking friendship.

“The loss is tremendous but his legacy will live on forever.” West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee mentioned Chatterjee, a “giant” in worldwide, Indian and Bengali cinema, will probably be dearly missed.

“Feluda’ is no more. ‘Apu’ said goodbye. Farewell, Soumitra (Da) Chatterjee. He has been a legend in his lifetime. International, Indian and Bengali cinema has lost a giant. We will miss him dearly. The film world in Bengal has been orphaned,” Banerjee paid homage to Chatterjee on Twitter.

Sandip Ray, son of movie maestro Satyajit Ray, mentioned he had interviewed Chatterjee on September 30, per week earlier than his hospitalisation, for a documentary.

“He sounded so alert. He sounded so excited. He could very well remember minute details of his shooting experiences with father including his Feluda films,” he recalled.

Sen recalled her first assembly with Chatterjee on the age of 14 at his residence.

“I used to be in awe of Soumitra Kaku during the early phase of my career in films like ‘Aparichito’ and ‘Akash Kusum’,” she mentioned.

“Despite his hectic schedule in films, he could write poems, recite, draw sketches and edit little magazines like Ekshan,” Sen recalled.

Actor Barun Chanda mentioned Chatterjee had a special ardour for stage. He mentioned greater than matinee idol Uttam Kumar, Chatterjee was extra approachable as an actor, had typical Bengaliness and used to painting completely different shades.

From “Hemlock Society” to his final “Borun Babur Bondhu”, he revealed himself as a flexible actor. He by no means shied away from taking pictures even at a sophisticated age, Chanda mentioned.

Actor Parambrata Chattopadhyay, who collaborated with Chatterjee on movies like “Hemlock Society” and “Samataral”, mentioned he was his “very own ‘Udayan Master’“ but beyond all of this he was a “dear dear friend”.

“Last one and half years had us grow fond of each other, not as if there weren’t minor disagreements now and then, like the way it happens between friends. but respect and love only grew abundantly.

“A big piece tears away from my existence today, a precious tie severed. Impossible to articulate how it feels to lose a friend Who also is a teacher,” he wrote.

“This year will take it all. Parents, legends, childhood, nostalgia. All of it. Merciless year,” Swastika Mukherjee, who had labored with the legend in movies like “Rupe Tomay Bholabo Na” and “Hemanter Pakhi”, wrote.

Director Goutam Ghosh informed PTI Chatterjee had a renaissance thoughts.

“He was the combination of a cerebral actor who would effortlessly sink into the character.” Filmmaker Onir took to Twitter and posted film stills of the display screen icon, saying “world cinema will celebrate this beautiful man and his art for eternity”.

Actor Rahul Bose, who labored with Chatterjee in Aparna Sen’s “15 Park Avenue”, mentioned it was a “privilege” to work with the person whose movies he grew up watching.

“Tragic loss!! Rest in peace Sir!! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come!” actor Manoj Bajpayee mentioned.

Writer-lyricist Varun Grover mentioned the world will preserve revisiting Chatterjee’s eyes, tales, and mild thriller – “as if they are an ancient Mantra”.

“Science can explain how we evolved from just another hunter-gatherer species to creators of abstract art in a span of ~50k years and still, nothing can explain the sublime magic some artists manage to ignite in just ~50 years,” Grover tweeted.

“You tried to find meaning. Sometimes by being Ray saab’s alter-ego and sometimes the viewer’s. Go well & thanks for stopping by,” he added.

Actor Richa Chadha shared a black-and-white image of Chatterjee and Ray engrossed in a dialog.

“RIP Soumitra Chatterjee! You live on through your work for eternity! Thank you for the movies. A big, big loss to the world of cinema and art. An era has indeed ended with no one in sight to fill the void,” Chadha mentioned.

Chatterjee, who starred in additional than 300 movies in his profession, was a three-time National Award winner who loved large reputation as a matinee idol in Bengal after Uttam Kumar.

He was honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest award in cinema in 2012.

The actor was additionally recognized for enjoying iconic Bengali non-public investigator Feluda in Ray’s “Sonar Kella” and “Joi Baba Felunath”.

His storied filmography in his twilight years options titles, together with “Bela Sheshe” (2015), quick movie “Ahalya” (2015), “Samantaral” (2017), National Award profitable “Mayurakshi” (2017), “Sanjhbati” (2019), amongst a number of others.

Chatterjee can also be the primary Indian movie persona to be conferred with the Commandeur de l’ Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, France’s highest award for artists. He additionally acquired a Lifetime Achievement Award from Italy.

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