Journalism of Courage
Bengal bade a tearful adieu to iconic actor Soumitra Chatterjee as thousands of people walked following a flower-bedecked hearse which carried his body to a crematorium where his mortal remains were consigned to flames with full state honours on Sunday evening. (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, along with her ministerial colleagues and a host of film personalities, walked in the procession with others singing Rabindranath Tagore's song, "Aguner parashmoni chhoao praane" (the touchstone of fire will turn us pure). (Express photo: Shashi Ghosh)
Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who passed away on Sunday, had appeared in over 200 movies. He was best known for his work in Satyajit Ray's films, with whom he had collaborated 14 times.
Here Soumitra Chatterjee is seen in the film Sansar Simante. (Photo: Express Archive)
Soumitra Chatterjee was born on January 19, 1935 in Kolkata, West Bengal.
Soumitra Chatterjee made his debut with the 1959 Satyajit Ray movie Apur Sansar.
Here Soumitra Chatterjee is seen in Apur Sansar. (Photo: Express Archive)
Soumitra Chatterjee also starred in Satyajit Ray films like Charulata, Sonar Kella, Aranyer Din Ratri, Devi, Teen Kanya, Abhijan, Kapurush, Ashani Sanket, Joi Baba Felunath, Hirak Rajar Deshe, Ghare Baire, Ganashatru and Shakha Proshakha. He also worked with several other renowned directors including Tapan Sinha and Mrinal Sen. Some of his other pouplar films are Teen Bhubaner Parey, Aparachita, Koni, Saat Pake Bandha, Akash Kusum, Aatanko, Wheelchair, Atanka, Jhinder Bandi, Baksha Badal and Basanta Bilap.
Here Soumitra Chatterjee is seen in the movie Rasamoyeer. (Photo: Express Archive)
Apart from being a talented actor, Soumitra Chatterjee was also known for his calibre as a playwright, poet, painter and theatre director.
Here Soumitra Chatterjee in seen in the movie Pratishodh. (Photo: Express Archive)
Soumitra Chatterjee has several prestigious awards and honours to his credit. He was honoured with the Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Soumitra was also conferred the Officier des Arts et Metiers Legion d'Honneur by the French government.
Here Soumitra Chatterjee in seen in the film Pather Saathi. (Photo: Express Archive)
Soumitra Chatterjee won three National Film Awards for his work in Antardhan, Dekha and Podokkhep. (Photo: Express Archive)
Here Soumitra Chatterjee is seen with Satyajit Ray during the filming of Ghare Baire. (Photo: Express Archive)
Soumitra Chatterjee was last seen in the 2019 Bengali film Sanjhbati. (Photo: Express Archive)
