49-year-old renowned filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh died at his south Kolkata residence on Thursday morning. The National Award winner was suffering from pancreatitis and died of a heart attack, his family said.
Watch: The legacy of Rituparno GhoshFor lakhs of his fans, Rituparno Ghosh was the finest filmmaking talent in Bengal; someone who probably would have ended up as a legend someday. But the life of one of India's most talented film directors has been cut short, leaving the entire film fraternity stunned.
He was the Yash Chopra of Bengali cinema, says Amitabh Bachchan
Filmmaker Mrinal Sen at the funeral 
Actress Rituparna Sengupta attends Rituparno Ghosh's funeral in Kolkata
We have lost a jewel of Indian cinema. To make films was like breathing to him, Rituparno Gosh has contributed a lot to the Indian cinema, says filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt
Rituparno Ghosh cremated with state honours
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee was accompanied by her ministerial colleagues Arup Biswas, Boby Hakim and Bratyo Basu, a theatre personality himself, who broke down.
Rituparno Ghosh received a gun salute at Siridhi crematorium. Mamata Banerjee, who was at the late director's house this morning, is also present at the crematorium.
Acclaimed director Gautam Ghose on his way to pay his last tributes to Rituparno Ghosh. "I couldn't believe my ears when I was told this morning that Ritu is no more. He cannot go this way...I can't yet believe he is no more around."
Rituparno Ghosh's body has been taken to Siridhi crematorium from Technicians Studio. West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee was present at the studio.
Rituparno Ghosh's body has now been taken from Nandan to Technicians Studio.
Rituparno's body, currently in Kolkata's state-run theatre Nandan, will be taken to Technicians Studio later this evening:
The director makes his journal journey:
Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien tweeted:
With this picture:
Rituparno Ghosh's body has been taken to Nandan, Kolkata's state-run movie theatre, for mourners to pay their last respects.
Abhishek Bachchan tweets:
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, star of Rituparno Ghosh's Chokher Bali and Raincoat, said from London: I am shocked and deeply saddened by this news. I just don't believe it. May his soul rest in peace
Manish Tewari, Minister for Information and Broadcasting, said in a condolence message, "I am deeply shocked by the tragic and premature death of Shri Ghosh. He was a creative genius who gave a new dimension to film making with every film that he was associated with. His films always left a deep imprint on minds of the audiences who were captivated by the honest portrayal of human emotions. Cinema has lost a visionary, as Shri Ghosh was always innovative and bold in undertaking new themes for his films. His death has left a void which will be very difficult to fill. I pray to God that his family gathers the necessary strength to overcome this crisis."
Rituparno Ghosh's last completed film was the acclaimed Chitrangada (2012) which won a special jury award this year at the National Film Awards. The semi-autobiographical film tells the story of a choreographer preparing for a performance of Tagore's dance-drama Chitrangada while dealing with gender and identity. Rituparno wrote, directed and starred in the movie.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan starred in two of Rituparno's films:
Chokher Bali (2003) and
Raincoat (2004):
Noted Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli said, "He never compromised in quality. We have lost a great character in the Indian film context."
West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee said "Bengal has lost a golden director." She also said that Rituparno Ghosh's body would be taken to Nandan, Kolkata's state-run cinema hall, for mourners to pay their last respects.
Just two days ago, Rituparno Ghosh tweeted about his latest film:
In 2003, Rituparno directed Chokher Bali, the film that brought him national prominence. Chokher Bali starred Bollywood superstar Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Bengali tour de force Prosenjit. Actress Raima Sen featured in a star-making role. The film, based on Tagore's novel, won a National Award and Aishwarya's performance as a young widow in colonial Bengal was singled out for praise.
Among Rituparno Ghosh's most acclaimed films was 1997's Dahan, starring actresses Indrani Haldar and Rituparna Sengupta. They shared the National Award for Best Actress for their performances as a victim of molestation and a teacher who rushes to help.
Actress Kirron Kher, who starred in Rituparno's Bariwali, called him "the most prolific writer-director." She also described him as a very complex character, "very lonely at one level and friends with everyone at another level."
Trinamool MP Derek O'Brien described Rituparno Ghosh's death as "a loss for advertising, Indian and international cinema."
Rituparno Ghosh's first film as director was 1994's Hirer Angti starring Moon Moon Sen. His second film was the acclaimed Unishe April (1995) starring Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy. Unishe April won the National Award for Best Feature FIlm
Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee visits the home of Rituparno Ghosh
People outside Rituparno Ghosh's home in Kolkata
Winner of 12 national and some international awards, Mr Ghosh was suffering from pancreatitis and died of heart attack at 7.30 am, his family said.
Noted filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh today died of cardiac arrest at his south Kolkata residence. He was 49.