A groundswell of tribute

Since morning as people woke up to the news of his death,tribute had started pouring in. But more than the tribute,it was the untimely death of the director that had shocked the people.

“I sent him a text this morning and found that unlike him he didn’t reply. Five minutes later,I learnt that he was no more. I am still in a shock,” said actor Paoli Dam,who had earlier worked with him.

“I am dumbfounded,” said veteran actor Arjun Chakraborty. “I don’t know how to react. I was very young when my father died at the age of 49. Now this man,too,who meant so much for all of us,died at the same age. The number has become scary for me,” he added.

Tollywood superstar Prosenjit Chatterjee,who was cast by Rituparno in Chokher Bali,Shob Choritro Kalponik,Dosor and Utsab,was too overwhelmed to speak when approached. “Please spare me today,” he pleaded.

Filmmaker Sandeep Ray termed the death a great loss of the film industry. “It happened so suddenly that I still can’t believe that he is no more,” Ray said. He recollected his early meetings with Rituparno “I saw his first film Hirer Angti and immediately knew that this man was going to make an indelible mark in the world of cinema. His debut work oozed of the potential of this power packed director.

“He was very warm,affectionate and respectful,” recollected Ray and added that one of the best characteristics of Rituparno was that he used to guide his actors wonderfully and with a lot of conviction and confidence,like a person who was sure about what he wanted,would do. “It is the reason that so many actors who had worked under him had won so many awards,” he said.

Filmmaker Raj Chakroborty,one of the most successful current middle-of-the road film makers,said,“Rituda had an abiding interest in our genres of film making.” The director’s long-time associate music director Debajyoti Mishra said,“His Chitrangada will one day be accorded its due place in history. The national award vindicates that.”

Former chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee expressed grief. “In his sudden death,we express our heartfelt condolences. He achieved success in many of his movies. We are deeply saddened by his death,” Bhattacharjee said.

Bollywood also joined in the mourning. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,who gave memorable performances in Ghosh’s Chokher Bali and Raincoat,said she was shocked to hear the news of his death. “I am shocked and deeply sadden by this news. I just can’t believe it. May his soul rest in peace,” Aishwarya said in a statement.

PTI inputs