Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee passes away

Legendary actor Soumitra Chatterjee, star of some of Bengali cinema's finest films, has passed away at the age of 85.

An official statement read: "We declare with 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."

Soumitra Chatterjee was taken to Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic hospital on October 6, a day after he tested positive for the coronavirus His condition at the time was described as stable, reports NDTV.

Concern about Soumitra Chatterjee's health grew as days passed, particularly a fear of a cancer relapse - the actor had survived prostate cancer. He received plasma therapy to fight the virus and was attended by a team of 10 doctors from Belle Vue Clinic.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has expressed deep grief over the death of the legendary actor, according to the sources at the PMO press wing.

Also read: Adieu, Soumitra

Soumitra Chatterjee, Bengal's most celebrated actor, was best-known for his many collaborations with filmmaker Satyajit Ray - they made 14 movies together.

He made his debut in Satyajit Ray's 1959 film Apur Sansar, part of the acclaimed Pather Panchali trilogy. He was also directed by Satyajit Ray in Charulata, Devi, Teen Kanya, Ghare Baire, Ganashatru and other films.

Soumitra Chatterjee was the first actor to play the role of Feluda, the detective created by Satyajit Ray. He starred as Feluda in two films directed by Satyajit Ray - Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath.

His last big screen outing was 2019's Sanjhbati.

Soumitra Chatterjee's extensive list of awards and honours includes 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 performances in the films Antardhan, Dekha, and Padokkhep. In 2018, he received the Legion of Honour by France, the country's top civilian award. In 1989, Satyajit Ray had also received the same award.