Iconic actor Soumitra Chatterjee passes away at age of 85

Soumitra Chatterjee death: Iconic actor Soumitra Chatterjee, a prominent actor of Bengali cinema, has passed away at age of 85 in West Bengal on Sunday. He had tested positive for COVID-19 last month and was taken to hospital. An official statement, on Soumitra Chatterjee's death, stated that "We declare with a heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12-15 pm at Belle Vue Clinic on Sunday. We pay our homage to his soul." Also Read | In Photos: West Bengal's sculptor makes Sushant Singh Rajput's wax statue as a tribute Soumitra Chatterjee was taken to Belle Vue Clinic hospital in Kolkata on October 6, a day after he tested positive for the novel coronavirus. President Ram Nath Kovind said: "With the passing of Soumitra Chatterjee, Indian cinema has lost one of its legends. He will be especially remembered for the 'Apu' trilogy and other memorable performances in Satyajit Ray's masterpieces. He made an immense contribution to the craft of acting." "Soumitra Chatterjee’s performances won him several national and international awards including Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Padma Bhushan and Légion d’Honneur. Condolences to his family, the film fraternity and millions of fans across the world," he added. Likewise, PM Modi said, "Shri Soumitra Chatterjee’s death is a colossal loss to the world of cinema, cultural life of West Bengal and India. Through his works, he came to embody Bengali sensibilities, emotions and ethos. Anguished by his demise. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti." His condition was described as stable even as West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee called to enquire about Chatterjee's health. Also Read | Bollywood actor Asif Basra ends life in Dharamshala Chatterjee had received plasma therapy to fight COVID-19. He was attended by a team of 10 doctors from the Belle Vue Clinic. He had made his debut in Satyajit Ray's 1959 film Apur Sansar, part of the acclaimed Pather Panchali trilogy. The late actor was also directed by Satyajit Ray in Charulata, Devi, Teen Kanya, Ghare Baire, Ganashatru and other films. Chatterjee was the first actor to play the portray of Feluda, the detective created by Satyajit Ray. Soumitra Chatterjee was featured as Feluda in two films helmed by Satyajit Ray - Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath. His last film was 2019's Sanjhbati. His awards and honours include the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna. He received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's top film honour, in 2012. He was the winner of three National Awards for his portrayal in the films like Antardhan, Dekha and Padokkhep. In 2018, he received the Legion of Honour by France. -PTC News