Soumitra Chatterjee was 85. (Photo: Amitabh Bachchan/ Twitter)Actor Soumitra Chatterjee breathed his last in a Kolkata hospital on Sunday. He was 85. Soumitra was admitted to the hospital after he tested positive for COVID-19 on October 6.
The legend, known for his collaborations with Satyajit Ray, was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, besides winning three National Film Awards.
Born on January 19, 1935, Soumitra Chatterjee 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. The two eventually worked on fourteen films including Abhijan, Charulata, Kapurush, Aranyer Din Ratri, Ashani Sanket, Sonar Kella and Joi Baba Felunath.
Read | Actor Soumitra Chatterjee passes away at 85 | How Soumitra Chatterjee shone even in non-Satyajit Ray films
Chatterjee also had successful collaborations with Bengali directors like Mrinal Sen and Tapan Sinha. Sen’s Akash Kusum (1965) and Sinha’s Jhinder Bandi (1961) got Chatterjee equal laurels. Among contemporary filmmakers, Chatterjee teamed up with Goutam Ghose, Aparna Sen, Anjan Das and Rituparno Ghosh among others.
Asha Bhosle took to her Instagram to share, 'I was very fond of Soumitra da and as a big fan I've seen most of his films. He was a thorough gentleman. There will be a huge void in the film industry with his passing away.'
Aamir Khan tweeted, "Indian Cinema has lost one of its leading lights. My heartfelt condolences to Soumitraji’s family, and to all his fans. His work will continue to bring joy to all of us. RIP Shri Soumitra Chatterjee ??."
Indian Kathak dancer Sharmistha Mukherjee shared an old photograph of Soumitra Chatterjee.
Lisa Ray wrote on Twitter, "One of our greatest gifts, a true renaissance artist. #SoumitraChatterjee performances are etched in my minds eye. These images leave me both grateful and unbearably sad."
Rajkummar Rao took to Twitter to share, "Rest in Peace #SoumitraChatterjee sir. #Legend."
Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who died at a Kolkata hospital on Sunday after a battle with post-Covid ailments, was cremated with full state honours. As news of his death spread, hundreds of people gathered outside the hospital to catch a final glimpse of their much-loved Feluda —a strapping, handsome Bengali sleuth – brought to life by Satyajit Ray, and immortalised by Chatterjee in Sonar Kella and Joi Baba Felunath.
Some were seen reciting Chatterjee’s favourite poems by Rabindranath Tagore as the hearse reached his residence. READ MORE
Tannishtha Chatterjee shared on Instagram, "Eternal..... artists don’t die . Unforgettable actor in some of the most unforgettable films. Love Tribute Respect #SoumitraChatterjee"
Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, "T 3722 - Soumitra Chatterjee .. an iconic legend .. one of the mightiest pillars of the Film Industry, .. has fallen .. a gentle soul and abundant talent .. last met him at the IFFI in Kolkata ..Prayers .. ?."
(Express Photo by Shashi Ghosh)
Nawazuddin Siddiqui tweeted, "It’s a huge loss to the world of Art & Cinema - The Great Thespian #SoumitraChatterjee bids his last goodbye leaving behind an extremely rich legacy to be cherished forever."
Nandita Das shared photos of herself and Soumitra Chatterjee and wrote, "Just when I logged in, after a few days of no news, got the worst one. Soumitrada, an incredibly kind, funny and loving person and a supremely versatile and authentic performer just left us. Deeply saddened. So fortunate to have worked with him in the Bengali film, Paddakhep and then met many a times. Covid is claiming too many precious lives. You will be missed so much #soumitrachatterjee . The photos are of my first meeting on the sets to the last one when we did a public conversation."
Anupam Kher tweeted, "Deeply saddened to know about the demise of legendary actor and one of my favourite #SoumitraChatterjee. I Learnt so much from his amazingly rich talent and craft. Om Shanti!"
Renuka Shahane mourned the loss of Soumitra Chatterjee.
Music composer Pritam paid tribute to Soumitra Chatterjee. He shared a note on Twitter which read, "He came to our school once and recited a poem in the morning assembly. And I have been awestruck ever since. Be it Apu or Feluda or Amal or Shyam or the several screen characters, he has lightened up and been a part of my childhood and youth. I was also addicted to his rendition of Tagore's Sesher Kobita, Amito, Feluda, Apu, Amal and so many others will always be a part of me as a close friend. Thank you Soumitra Chatterjee for making our growing years rich."
(Photo: Soha Ali Khan/Instagram)
Sharing a picture of Soumitra Chatterjee and Sharmila Tagore, Soha Ali Khan wrote, "We will miss you."
Tweeting a picture of Soumitra Chatterjee, Adil Hussain said his dream to work with him "remained unfulfilled." "His Graceful Presence was always visible on screen. In all roles to remind us the beauty of life. Soumitra da! My dream to work with you remained unfulfilled.Will catch you on the other unless you hurry back again to this dimension! Lots of love, hugs. Rest for a while in Peace," the actor wrote.
Remembering Soumitra Chatterjee, Shabana Azmi tweeted, "Farewell Soumitra Da. I had the honour of playing your wife in La Nuit Bengali n your daughter in 15 Park Avenue. I was with you in Paris and saw the adulation you received at George Pompidou Centre but you were so nonchalant about it that it left me deeply impressed. RIP"
Actor Ashish Vidyarthi tweeted, "Soumitra da... Naman."
Film and TV producer Pritish Nandy tweeted, "Uttam Kumar passed away. Satyajit Ray passed away. Suchitra Sen passed away. Ritwik Ghatak passed away. Tapan Sinha passed away. Now Soumitra has passed away. My connect with the movies I grew up with is over."
Shashi Tharoor tweeted, "A legend is lost to #COVID19, but for those of us who admired his work, Soumitra Chatterjee remains immortal. I had the privilege of meeting him in his prime &was struck by his grace &humility, so rare in the megastars of today. Kolkata mourns its fav son."
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi tweeted, "It’s sad to hear of the demise of Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Shri Soumitra Chatterjee, an actor par excellence who the nation has revered over the years. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans."
Filmmaker Sudhir Mishra tweeted, "A great cinema actor . Unfortunately the rest of India never gave him his due but the World did .Our very own Marcello Mastroianni .Perhaps the greatest cinema actor of his generation in India.Never obstructed , the story telling .Never called attention to himself .Good Bye Dada!"
Randeep Hooda tweeted, "The end of an era .. RIP Legend #SoumitraChatterjee."
PM Narendra Modi said on Twitter, "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."
Filmmaker Ramesh Sharma tweeted, "The passing away of #SoumitraChatterjee is a tragic loss to the world of cinema, theatre and the arts. What #ToshiroMifune was to #Kurosawa, Soumitrada was to #SatyajitRay."
Tisca Chopra tweeted, "And the year takes away another gem .. RIP #SoumitraChatterjee .. your imprint will stay in the minds eye and heart for very long."
President Ram Nath Kovind wrote in two successive tweets, "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. Soumitra Chatterjee’s performances won him several national and international awards including Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Bhushan and Légion d’Honneur. Condolences to his family, the film fraternity and millions of fans across the world."
Shriya Pilgaonkar wrote on Twitter alongside a photo of Soumitra with Satyajit, "A partnership made in heaven?? #SatyajitRay #SoumitraChatterjee
Stand-up comedian and lyricist Varun Grove tweeted, "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."
Actor Rahul Bose tweeted, "I grew up watching his films day after day. So working with him in #15ParkAvenue was surreal. He answered all my questions on how it was to work with #SatyajitRay with generosity and warmth. It’s been a privilege, Soumitrada. Rest in peace."
Richa Chadha posted an image of Soumitra with Satyajit Ray and captioned it, "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.?"
Bengali actor Ena Saha wrote, "The end of an era.May his soul rest in eternal peace. #SoumitraChatterjee."
American Indian actor Rachel White tweeted, "Bidding Farewell with a heavy heart to the legendary #SoumitraChatterjee. Prayers and warmth going out to his family and fans world over."
Actor Sayani Gupta tweeted, "Soumitra Chatterjee, Feluda, leaves us. Numb. An era, one generation, a huge legacy gone. Gave 70 years to the Silver Screen."
Music composer Jeet Gannguly wrote, "I have no words to express my grief ....! Great loss for Indian and International film industry....Rest in peace Soumitra Chatterji."
Actor Swastika Mukherjee wrote on Twitter, "This year will take it all. Parents, legends, childhood, nostalgia. All of it. Merciless year."
Actor Manoj Bajpayee tweeted, "Tragic loss!! Rest in peace Sir!! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come !! ??."