Soumitra Chatterjee as Feluda (courtesy Twitter)
Highlight
- “Wherever you are Soumitra Chatterjee, stay well Feluda,” reads a tweet
- “You will always be in our hearts, Feluda,” said another
- “Many of us grew up with Feluda,” wrote one user.
New Delhi:
Celebrated Bengal actor Soumitra Chatterjee died at the age of 85 on Sunday afternoon, 40 days after being admitted to a Kolkata hospital. Soumitra Chatterjee left behind an illustrious legacy of work, including one of her most popular on-screen characters, Feluda. Chatterjee was the first actor to bring Feluda, the Bengali private investigator, created by Satyajit Ray, live on screen. Soumitra Chatterjee played Feluda in two films directed by Mr Ray: Sonar Kella Y Joy Baba Felunath. On Twitter, heartbroken fans shared tributes remembering Soumitra Chatterjee as the Feluda they grew up with: “We will miss you, Feluda,” read a tweet as another user added, “Wherever you are Soumitra Chatterjee, stay well Feluda.”
“I know he has acted in many diverse roles throughout his illustrious career, but to me, he will always be Feluda,” said one Feluda fan as another user summed up emotions on Twitter and wrote: “As the world grew up with Sherlock Holmes , many of us grew up with Feluda. “
Actress Sayani Gupta is one of those for whom Soumitra Chatterjee will always be synonymous with Feluda. “Soumitra Chatterjee, Feluda, leave us. Numb. One era, one generation, a great legacy left. He gave 70 years to the Silver Screen,” he tweeted.
Soumitra Chatterjee, Feluda, leave us. Numb.
An era, a generation, a great legacy disappeared.
He gave 70 years to the silver screen.
pic.twitter.com/a0NjOR3QvZ– Sayani Gupta (@sayanigupta) November 15, 2020
2020 khub get off. Wherever you are Soumitra Chatterjee, stay well Feluda. I think the greatest ode for you is not Satyajit Ray’s Apu, but when we read Feluda’s books, we imagine that the character is you. Rest and smile in peace #SoumitraChatterjeepic.twitter.com/g6RsDdYrr6
– Mr. Roy (@iamroysunny) November 15, 2020
What a horrible day. We will miss you, Feluda. pic.twitter.com/Yc0hBypXZL
– (I’m done) (@ Shayonnita15) November 15, 2020
Heroes are remembered but LEGENDS never die … you will always be in our hearts Feluda #SoumitraChatterjeepic.twitter.com/lJUrjR1qre
– Aritra Daspoddar (@AritraDaspoddar) November 15, 2020
The passing of a childhood hero. I know he has acted in many diverse roles throughout his illustrious career, but to me, he will always be Feluda. This one really hurts, rest in peace pic.twitter.com/xyVQw9xRXO
– Faruk Abdullah (@ FARUKAB08890589) November 15, 2020
2020 takes another Legend, another icon. You are proud of our Bangali culture. The Indian film industry loses one of its crown jewels. Wherever you are, stay well Feluda. Rest in peace.
#SoumitraChatterjeepic.twitter.com/UZbXvh578V
– Raima (@Angryybunnyy) November 15, 2020
While the world grew up with Sherlock Holmes, many of us grew up with Feluda. My love for old Bengali movies runs deep, and they are incomplete without #SoumitraChatterjee….. pic.twitter.com/ldlmZGvMsQ
– Pri C (@ SilentSilver05) November 15, 2020
Soumitra Chatterjee’s work is unrivaled by any Indian actor. Probably also one of the best in world cinema. From Apu to Khit Da, from Mayurbahan to Feluda, there was nothing this man could not do. pic.twitter.com/qKAcUOJnlj
– MB (@ mbthecool19) November 15, 2020
Rest in peace dear Feluda. Indian cinema has just lost another gem. There can never be another Soumitra Chatterjee. pic.twitter.com/HAEGUY01FX
– Shivani Desai (@ShivaniDesain) November 15, 2020
Feluda, the hero of my childhood has left us today! God has called you to his heavenly abode for an urgent investigation. RIP #SoumitraChatterjee , dean of Bengali cinema pic.twitter.com/FSoM7okPnA
– Rana Mitra (@ RanaMitra15) November 15, 2020
Rest in peace Feluda, Apu. I will always remember you with a smile on my face pic.twitter.com/RTmrtUIQWf
– Snigdha (@nyakamokorbenna) November 15, 2020
One of Soumitra Chatterjee’s most famous roles was Apu – he made his acting debut as the main character in the 1959 Satyajit Ray film. Apur Sansar, part of the acclaimed Pather Panchali trilogy. Soumitra Chatterjee and Mr Ray collaborated on 14 films. Chatterjee was also directed by other greats of Bengali cinema, including Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha, Ajoy Kar. Soumitra Chatterjee’s last appearance on the big screen was in 2019 Sanjhbati.
Soumitra Chatterjee was taken to the Kolkata Belle Vue Clinic hospital on October 6, a day after he tested positive for the coronavirus. The actor tested negative a little after a week on October 14, but remained in the hospital due to health complications, especially COVID-19-induced encephalopathy. On Sunday afternoon, an official statement regarding the actor’s death read: “We declare with regret that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed her last at 12-15 pm at the Belle Vue Clinic today (November 15, 2020). We render our homage to his soul. “
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