New Delhi (NVI): Noted Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee passed away at a Kolkata hospital today. He was 85. He was admitted to the hospital after he was tested positive for COVID-19 on October 6.
The actor, who was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, was known for his collaborations with Satyajit Ray. Besides this, he had also won three National Film Awards.
Chatterjee was born on January 19, 1935 and learned acting from noted theatre personality Ahindra Choudhury. After initially getting rejected for the role of Apu, Chatterjee finally made his acting debut with Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar (1959), which was the third part of the Apu Trilogy.
He eventually worked with Ray on fourteen films including Abhijan, Charulata, Kapurush, Aranyer Din Ratri, Ashani Sanket, Sonar Kella and Joi Baba Felunath.
The legendary actor’s death was condoled by people from all walks of life. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ram Nath Kovind also expressed grief over his demise.
“Shri Soumitra Chatterjee’s death is a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural life 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,” PM Modi tweeted.
Shri Soumitra Chatterjee’s death is a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural life 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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 15, 2020
“With the passing of Soumitra Chatterjee, Indian cinema has lost one of its legends. He will be specially remembered for the ‘Apu’ trilogy and other memorable performances in Satyajit Ray’s masterpieces. He made immense contribution to the craft of acting,” President Kovind said in one of his tweets.
-ARK
