Cinema

Reputed Indian actor passes away at 85! Tribute pouring in from leaders and celebrities

By alagu, 15 November, 2020
India, Bollywood

Reputed Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee has passed away on Sunday at the age of 85 in Kolkata amid receiving treatment for COVID-19 and for age-related ailments. He was admitted to a private hospital and he was hospitalized for over a month. 

According to reports, Chatterjee was admitted to the hospital on October 6 after he confirmed to have contracted the COVID-19 viral infection. He was getting treated at the hospital and he later recovered from the pandemic after testing negative. However, his age-related ailments had pushed him to suffer more deterioration. He reportedly had multiple ailments and was getting treated in a critical care unit. 

His condition didn't improve and it further worsened and the hospital has said that he had breathed his last on Sunday. In its statement, the hospital said, "We declare with a heavy heart that Shri Soumitra Chattopadhyay breathed his last at 12.15 pm at Belle Vue Clinic today - 15th November 2020. We pay our homage to his soul". 

The reports say that the health condition of the iconic actor was extremely critical and he was not responding at all to treatment, according to the critical care expert of the hospital. His condition had got worsened since Friday. According to IANS, the reviving efforts had failed on Sunday and he was declared dead at the age of 85. 

Critical care expert Dr. Arindham Kar said that the team of doctors including neurologists, nephrologists, cardiologists, and those from critical care medicine, infectious disease specialists both from public and private sectors had put their effort to save the actor. However, the efforts didn't work and Kar had on Sunday morning hours stated that the actor is not responding to the treatments. 

Hours after his statement, he was declared dead and since his demise was headlined, condolences have been pouring in from across and beyond the borders. Soumitra had been well regarded as a multiple award-winning actor with an immense reputation. He was survived by his wife, a son, and a daughter. The doctors said that the COVID-19 viral infection, co-morbidities, and his age had deteriorated his health further, losing his battle for survival. 

Soumitra was conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke award. Known for his collaborations with Satyajit Ray, he was a recipient of the Padma Bhushan, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and he also has won three National Film Awards. He made his acting debut with Satyajit Ray's Apur Sansar in 1959 and the duo went on to work in fourteen films. National leaders and notable celebrities have been paying tribute to the legendary actor with many mentioning his loss as the end of an era.  

In his obituary note, President Ram Nath Kovind said, "With the passing of Soumitra Chatterjee, Indian cinema has lost one of its legends. He will be specially remembered for the 'Apu' trilogy and other memorable performances in Satyajit Ray's masterpieces. He made an immense contribution to the craft of acting."

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter and 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." 

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Deeply pained to learn about the demise of legendary Soumitra Chatterjee ji. An iconic actor, who took Bengali cinema to new heights. In Soumitra Da, the Indian silver screen has lost a gem. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and countless followers. Om Shanti Shanti Shanti"

 

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