Rituparno Ghosh passes away

Ghosh passed away in the morning at his residence,Tasher Ghar,at Indrani Park in south Kolkata after a brief illness. He was 49. He was suffering from pancreatitis and is believed to have died in his sleep from a cardiac arrest around 7.30 am.

The news of his premature death was received with a sense of disbelief across the country. Film stars,politicians and hundreds of ordinary people thronged his residence as soon as the news broke out.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee,who was one among the first to reach Ghoshs residence,said: Bengal has lost a golden artiste. It is an irreparable loss.

It was only last week that Ghosh had received Bangabibhushan states highest civilian award from Banerjee. Besides several international awards,Ghosh bagged 12 National Awards.

He was not only a stalwart in modern cinema but he also played a major role in the gay movement, filmmaker Gautam Ghosh told The Indian Express. I am shocked. He was so junior to me, actor Soumitra Chatterjee said.

Ghosh is credited to have revived the golden days of Bengali narrative cinema with his artistic,serious and often thought-provoking productions. His films,among other topics,touched on complex issues like same sex relationship.