Indian Film Actor Soumitra Chatterjee Passes Away at Age 85

Indian Film actor Soumitra Chatterjee who was well known for playing the role of Feluda in Satyajit Ray’s films Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath passed away on Sunday. He was 85. 

The veteran actor was admitted to Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic hospital on October 6 with COVID-19. He recovered from the disease however his health deteriorated after that. 

Soumitra Chatterjee was not only a talented actor but also a great director, playwright, poet, and writer. He was best known for his collaborations with famed director Satyajeet Ray with whom he worked in 14 films. He has acted in more than 210 films in his career. 

While he was still a student he learned the skills of acting from noted actor-director of Bengali theatre- Ahindra Choudhury. While he was working as an announcer for the All India Radio, Soumitra began pursuing films. 

Initially, Satyajeet Ray found Soumitra too old for a role as adolescent ‘Apu’ however he was given the role of adult ‘Apu’ two years later. They collaborated in 14 films in the years that followed. 

Mr. Chattejee was the recipient of several awards including the Padma Bhushan award, two National Film Awards, Chevalier de la Legion d’honneur, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. 

His passing away has left a deep void in the Bengali Film Industry. 

Here’s what noted personalities had to say after his passing away: 

Farewell to a legend. #SoumitraChatterjee pic.twitter.com/pSmSIEIMRx— Ava DuVernay (@ava) November 15, 2020