Bengal Heritage Foundation London organised a tribute on behalf of the global Bengali diaspora to legendary actor, director, playwright, writer and poet – Late Soumitra Chatterjee who passed away on 15th November 2020. The theme of the webinar was not to mourn the passing away of this legendary actor but to remember him through his work and his visionary perspectives.
Soumitra Chatterjee has not just been popular amongst the Bengalis but has also left his mark on Indians and global audience. The High Commission of India, British Council India, Nehru Centre London and Kolkata Literary joined Bengal Heritage Foundation in the digitally hosted talk show with a brilliant and diverse panel of eminent speakers from High Commission of India, British Council, Nehru Centre London, Indian film fraternity and other prominent personalities to remember Soumitra Chatterjee’s journey and his impact on the film world and Bengali diaspora from all over the world.
This was a digitally hosted event and audience from all around the globe joined the event to participate this priceless conversation. The event was kicked off by Sourav Niyogi, President of Bengal Heritage Foundation saying “What attracts me to Soumitra is his versatile talent from acting both on stage and films to his poetry and elocution to playwright and write that he was. For the global Bengali diaspora, Soumitra was the link that connected one to the roots and as BHF our aim is to preserve and promote the heritage of Bengal and spread it amongst the diaspora in the UK”.
“If there was anyone who accurately represented the quintessential Bengali Bhodrolok (gentleman) then there was only man – Soumitra Chatterjee” said Suranjan Som, Vice President of BHF and the Think Tank series Director as he kicked off the event along with Sourav.
The eminent speakers who spoke about Soumitra Chatterjee on a broader aspect and the Think Tank webinar were HE Gaitri Issar Kumar High Commissioner of India who said “Soumitra Chatterjee’s passing is a great loss to the entire Indian Film Industry. His 6 decades of Bengali films were a huge contribution to not only Bengali film industry but even outside Bengal. His works have truly made him immoral in our hearts and minds. He will remain a cultural icon and a true Hero for India.”
Barbara Wickham Director, British Council said “Soumitra Chatterjee watched the world of arts, movies and theatre from a different perspective. He was an exceptional talent with spectacular achievements and with multiple facets. He will always remain an icon of Indian cinema who will also be remembered for his modesty and humility.”
Amish Tripathy, Director, Nehru Centre and renowned author, who spent a part of his life in Kolkata added how to him Feluda was synonymous to Soumitra. His exposure to Soumitra’s movies has been through Sonar Kella. He expressed the delight Nehru Centre has partnering this event along with BHF.
Leading Indian actor, director and producer Parambrata Chatterjee,who logged in from Himachal Pradesh – where he is shooting currently, said, “in the course of making Abhijan, one thing I realised was that he is a man of huge intellect. He had a journey from Krishnagar to Kolkata and that built in him the foundation about Kolkata in the 50s. He is equally loved in Bangladesh and has a huge fan base there. He used to be extremely happy about exchanging ideas, he used to listen to the perspectives of people of all spheres without the barrier of stardom. He wanted to be enriched from all spheres of life. He represented the times he has lived through. He was hugely influenced by Tagore and embraced Tagore and understood him like very few could. All of these amalgamated to the artist he was.”
When asked to share more about the man on and off the set, multiple national award-winning actress Sharmila Tagore added, “I made my first debut against Soumitra when I was only 13 and he was 24. The film that we made had tremendous impact for decades. When I look back at our professional partnership, I view it in phases. In the early phases, when I did Apur Sangsar, Devi I was a schoolgirl. Then I took a gap and returned to do Barnali with him directed by Ajoy Kar. Soumitra was at his peak – talented and gorgeous. Then I went to Bombay and later worked in Abar Aranya and that was another phase. But over so many phases, he still remained a good friend and I had high regards for him. I think Apur Sangsar had set the tone – it has the fortitude, innocence, optimism. People remembers and loves Apu and Aparna and probably are romanticised by people after Romeo and Juliet! Professionally, Chatterjee was very committed to his work. He used to make a backstory of the scripts. He was so enthusiastic that on days when he didn’t have his shoot, he would still be present at the set to give cues, help other co-actors. His love and hold on Bengali language was very strong and was a pleasure to hear him. Not only with Manik Da’s (Satyajit Ray) films but he become a giant of an actor with his other films as well.
National award-winning actor Rituparna Sengupta, who joined from Singapore said “I was lucky to have worked with him very early in my career. Mid 90s when I just started facing the camera and I was still learning; I had the privilege to do Sesh Chithi with him. It was like a dream come true to act with my childhood hero. He was vibrant, handsome and graceful. As a newcomer and junior to him, he used to make me feel comfortable, give acting tips and have faith in abilities. His absence in the industry will be felt in all kinds of films. The powerful man of the industry is no more. The umbrella of the industry is now gone.”
