The Bengali film industry lost one of its greatest actors. Soumitra Chatterjee, who acted in 14 Satyajit Ray films and over 300 others, died at the age of 85 on Sunday. Mr Chatterjee was admitted to Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic hospital on October 6 with COVID-19. He recovered from the virus but his health condition deteriorated as days passed. Soumitra Chatterjee's death has left the Bengali film industry shattered. For them, it is "end of in iconic era." Actors such as Swastika Mukherjee, Parno Mittra, Rahul Bose, as well as stars from Bollywood like Anil Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee and Richa Chadha poured their hearts out by mourning the "true legend of cinema and theatres" on Twitter.
"This year will take it all. Parents, legends, childhood, nostalgia. All of it. Merciless year," tweeted Swastika Mukherjee, who worked with Soumitra Chatterjee in films like Rupe Tomay Bholabo Na, Hemanter Pakhi, Krishnakanter Will and Maach Mishti And More.
This year will take it all.
— Swastika Mukherjee (@swastika24) November 15, 2020
Parents, legends, childhood, nostalgia. All of it. Merciless year.
Parno Mittra, who co-starred with Soumitra Chatterjee in the 2013 film Maach Mishti And More, expressed grief by sharing a video from their film and wrote: "Bye Captain."
BYE CAPTAIN ... #RIP #SoumitraChatterjee pic.twitter.com/nFZ5xuXSkR
— P (@parnomittra) November 15, 2020
Sharmila Tagore's daughter Soha Ali Khan paid a tribute to Soumitra Chatterjee on Instagram. Sharmila Tagore and Mr Chatterjee co-starred in the 1960 film Devi and critically-acclaimed Apur Sansar.
Screenshot of Soha Ali Khan's Instagram story.
Screenshot of Soha Ali Khan's Instagram story.
Anil Kapoor wrote: "A legend...an inspiration."
A legend...an inspiration.... pic.twitter.com/MvQCKOHOBy
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) November 15, 2020
Rahul Bose, Soumitra Chatterjee's co-star in 15 Park Avenue, 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."
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. pic.twitter.com/cZsjAxsSEC
— Rahul Bose (@RahulBose1) November 15, 2020
"Farewell, Soumitra Da. I had the honour of playing your wife in La Nuit Bengali and 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," tweeted Shabana Azmi, who shared screens space with Soumitra Chatterjee in the 1988 film The Bengali Night and in 15 Park Avenue.
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 https://t.co/4fQS7NdVFW pic.twitter.com/JEezV23z0k
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) November 15, 2020
"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," tweeted Richa Chadha.
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. pic.twitter.com/ysXiACW6ex
— TheRichaChadha (@RichaChadha) November 15, 2020
Manoj Bajpayee mourned Soumitra Chatterjee with these words: "Tragic loss! Rest in peace Sir! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come!"
Tragic loss!! Rest in peace Sir!! Your contribution to the Indian Cinema will always be remembered and inspire the generations to come !! https://t.co/lcbbrYMxRR
— manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) November 15, 2020
Here's how other celebrities paid tribute to Soumitra Chatterjee on social media:
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.
— Nawazuddin Siddiqui (@Nawazuddin_S) November 15, 2020
Rest In Peace pic.twitter.com/ezvi8XVN4e
End of an Era for Bengali Cinema.There are too many performances of this amazing artists that has enriched our lives for decades to mention a few. World Cinema will celebrate this beautiful man & his art for eternity. Rest in peace. You r Loved and Cherished. #SoumitraChatterjee pic.twitter.com/SE2Z506k6i
— Onir (@IamOnir) November 15, 2020
Soumitra Chatterjee, Feluda, leaves us. Numb.
— Sayani Gupta (@sayanigupta) November 15, 2020
An era, one generation, a huge legacy gone.
Gave 70 years to the Silver Screen.
pic.twitter.com/a0NjOR3QvZ
In Heavens right now. pic.twitter.com/H31sUEnWZX
— Sayani Gupta (@sayanigupta) November 15, 2020
— Prosit (@prosit_roy) November 15, 2020
Sad to hear demise of Padma Bhushan awardee #SoumitraChatterjee,Will always remember my interaction with Soft spoken actor during 54th National Award function for film #TrafficSignal, which was very encouraging & inspiring. My Condolences to his family & admirers. #OmShanti pic.twitter.com/Jfwy227KRI
— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) November 15, 2020
Soumitra Chatterjee was best-known for playing the role of Feluda in Satyajit Ray's two films - Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath. The duo worked together on 14 movies, including Pather Panchali trilogy, Charulata, Devi, Teen Kanya, Ghare Baire and Ganashatru.
Soumitra Chatterjee was in Belle Vue Clinic for 40 days before he breathed his last. An official statement about his death read: "We declare with heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12-15 pm at Belle Vue Clinic today (15 November 2020). We pay our homage to his soul."
