Primary Country (Mandatory)

United States

Other Country (Optional)

Set News Language for United States

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language[s] (Optional)
No other language available

Set News Language for World

Primary Language (Mandatory)
English
Other Language(s) (Optional)

Set News Source for United States

Primary Source (Mandatory)
CNN
Other Source[s] (Optional)

Set News Source for World

Primary Source (Mandatory)
AajTak
Other Source(s) (Optional)
  • Countries
    • India
    • United States
    • Qatar
    • Germany
    • China
    • Canada
    • World
  • Categories
    • National
    • International
    • Business
    • Entertainment
    • Sports
    • Special
    • All Categories
  • Available Languages for United States
    • English
  • All Languages
    • English
    • Hindi
    • Arabic
    • German
    • Chinese
    • French
  • Sources
    • India
      • AajTak
      • NDTV India
      • The Hindu
      • India Today
      • Zee News
      • NDTV
      • BBC
      • The Wire
      • News18
      • News 24
      • The Quint
      • ABP News
      • Zee News
      • News 24
    • United States
      • CNN
      • Fox News
      • Al Jazeera
      • CBSN
      • NY Post
      • Voice of America
      • The New York Times
      • HuffPost
      • ABC News
      • Newsy
    • Qatar
      • Al Jazeera
      • Al Arab
      • The Peninsula
      • Gulf Times
      • Al Sharq
      • Qatar Tribune
      • Al Raya
      • Lusail
    • Germany
      • DW
      • ZDF
      • ProSieben
      • RTL
      • n-tv
      • Die Welt
      • Süddeutsche Zeitung
      • Frankfurter Rundschau
    • China
      • China Daily
      • BBC
      • The New York Times
      • Voice of America
      • Beijing Daily
      • The Epoch Times
      • Ta Kung Pao
      • Xinmin Evening News
    • Canada
      • CBC
      • Radio-Canada
      • CTV
      • TVA Nouvelles
      • Le Journal de Montréal
      • Global News
      • BNN Bloomberg
      • Métro
MoreBack to News Headlines
The world of Apu and Soumitra Chatterjee’s legacy

The world of Apu and Soumitra Chatterjee’s legacy

The Hindu
Friday, January 24, 2025 10:27 AM GMT

 A deeply-researched new biography sheds light on the life and work of one of Satyajit Ray’s favourite actors.

Bengalis and cinephiles know their Apu and Feluda well, but the life and work of a versatile actor, poet, artist, theatreperson need to be celebrated even more widely. A new biography, Soumitra Chatterjee and His World (Vintage), by journalist Sanghamitra Chakraborty, aims to fill the gap, and presents Chatterjee in all his myriad selves.

Deeply researched, Ms. Chakraborty spoke to people who had worked with the actor and pored over his journals and letters to get a sense of Chatterjee and his milieu, and why his passing away in 2020 is felt so acutely. Fans and admirers of Chatterjee gathered at the Kolkata Literary Meet on Thursday to celebrate the publication of the biography. Moderated by historian Priyadarshinee Guha, Ms. Chakraborty and Soumitra Chatterjee’s daughter, Poulomi, also a theatre person, regaled a full house with anecdotes and readings from the book, looking back at an extraordinary life rooted in Bengal’s culture.

Ms. Chakraborty said Chatterjee was lucky in having three mentors – Rabindranath Tagore (whom he never met, but was deeply influenced by his words), theatre great Shishir Bhaduri and Satyajit Ray of course. Chatterjee starred in 14 Ray films, including the iconic Apur Sansar (The World of Apu), Sonar Kella (The Golden Fortress), Joy Baba Felunath (The Elephant God), Devi (The Goddess), Charulata (The Lonely Wife), Ghare Baire (The Home and the World).

He loved a good adda, and Sharmila Tagore (Soumitra Chatterjee’s co-star in Apur Sansar and other films) underscores this in her Foreword. “The hero of my first film was erudite, witty, a great raconteur and a gentleman... I considered him the best adda companion and would return from our catch-ups heartily entertained—and enriched,” she writes. He was well-read and compassionate, and Ms. Chakraborty said two incidents in his childhood greatly influenced the person he became: the Bengal famine of 1943, when he saw a person die of hunger; and the communal riots pre and post Independence. “Throughout his life he was a great proponent of communal harmony and spoke up whenever he saw a wrong,” recalled his daughter.

Sharmila Tagore calls him the most “unconventional movie star,” walking the streets, dropping his children to school, and driving around the city. This was unlike the other superstar who dominated the cultural space of Bengal around the same time – Uttam Kumar. But as Ms. Chakraborty writes in the book, though Bengalis across generations have been “locked in bloody feuds” over the two, Soumitra Chatterjee and Uttam Kumar were friends -- they bonded well, and had some “secret meetings” despite “occasional tiffs.”

Over ten sections, Ms. Chakraborty profiles Chatterjee’s life and career, devoting three chapters to his Ray phase, before going on to describe his work on stage, his poetry, editorship (of a magazine) and art. The biography will go a long way in ensuring that the legacy of Soumitra Chatterjee is opened up to new generations, both at home and in the world.

Read full story on The Hindu
Share this story on:-
Run 3 Space | Play Space Running GamePlay Run 3, the ultimate space tunnel running game with 300+ challenging levels!Adv.
Traffic Jam 3D | Online Racing GameTraffic Jam 3D is a game where you’ll be driving through heavy traffic.Adv.
Duck Hunt | Play Old Classic GamePlay the classic 1984 light gun shooter game Duck Hunt on your browser.Adv.
More Related News
Ahmedabad plane crash: Another body recovered from crash site; medical college confirms four MBBS students among victims

Firefighters discover body at Air India crash site in Ahmedabad; medical students among casualties, identification process ongoing.

West Bengal clashes: Senior police officers in Rabindra Nagar transferred post-violence

Senior police officers transferred after communal clashes in Maheshtala; BJP criticizes transfers, police claim routine, new officers appointed.

Revanth extends all out support to Telugu Film industry, urges collaboration for Telangana’s $3 trillion vision

Chief Minister Revanth Reddy urges Tollywood to join Telangana's $3 trillion economy mission, emphasizing support for film industry growth.

Manipur unites in grief, across the ethnic divide

Manipur unites in grief after Flight AI-171 crash, mourning loss of crew members from Meitei and Thadou communities.

Retailers at Mahanti Fish Market oppose relocation proposal, say it will cost their livelihood

Mahanti Fish Market in Vijayawada faces relocation proposal by VMC due to traffic issues, sparking debate among workers and sellers.

Fear of flotsam

Flotsam from Liberian cargo vessel reaches Kanniyakumari coast, prompting pollution concerns; clean-up efforts under way.

Once in neglect, Channasandra lake gets second lease of life

Residents celebrate successful revival of B. Channasandra lake in Bengaluru through collaborative efforts, overcoming challenges and threats.

Indian professionals stranded in Georgia amid regional flight suspensions

61 persons from Rajasthan stranded in Georgia seek Indian government's help amid flight suspensions due to Israel-Iran conflict.

Honeymoon hit job in serene Sohra

Rare event in Hima Sohra, Meghalaya, where a visitor was killed, sparking a murder mystery and tourist safety concerns.

Facelift for Chamundi Hills inches closer to reality under PRASHAD scheme

Chamundi Hills development under PRASHAD scheme progresses with State and Centre funding, enhancing amenities for tourists and devotees.

Preventive detention must not act as a substitute for criminal prosecution or bail: SC judgment

Supreme Court cautions against misuse of preventive detention, emphasizing it should not replace criminal prosecution or bail orders.

Resolve GST rate ambiguity on flavoured milk, levy 5%: dairy industry

Telangana dairy industry seeks uniform 5% GST rate on flavoured milk for clarity, consistency, and fair taxation.

Kondapalli fort comes alive with yoga enthusiasts

Hundreds of people gathered at Kondapalli Fort on the outskirts of Vijayawada at the break of dawn on Saturday to take part in the Yogandhra programme organised by the NTR district administration.

Parking Slot | Free Parking GamePlay Parking Slot, the best online 3D car driving and parking game.Adv.
Slope Ball Run - Play OnlineSlope Game takes you on an exciting journey of a ball on special paths.Adv.
Tree planting drive at Sri Venkateswara Hindu Colony Middle School in Nanganallur

In a heartfelt celebration of World Environment Day, students of Sri Venkateswara Middle School in Nanganallur undertook a tree saplings planting initiative on June 11, 2025. The activity saw enthusiastic participation as students, along with teachers and staff, planted saplings around the school campus, including the school playground. Though World Environment Day was officially observed on June 5, the school extended the spirit of the occasion by organising the event later in the week to ensure full student involvement. The aim was not only to beautify the school but also to instill a sense of environmental responsibility among young learners. The event concluded with a short awareness session where students pledged to care for the plants and spread the message of environmental protection within their communities. Besides, the students and teachers took a pledge to protect the environment.

AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar detained for visiting ransacked police station in Madurai district

AIADMK MLA R.B. Udayakumar detained after attempting to visit ransacked police station, sparking political controversy.

CM Stalin to inaugurate Katpadi’s first full-fledged government hospital

M.K. Stalin to inaugurate modern 60-bedded government hospital in Katpadi with advanced facilities on June 25.

Traffic reforms fail to decongest Vyttila

Demand for fast-tracking ₹1-crore Vyttila Junction redevelopment project grows due to traffic congestion despite recent reforms.

How should sexual abuse survivors be treated? | Explained Premium

Delhi High Court issues guidelines for streamlined procedures in hospitals handling MTP cases for sexual assault survivors.

Cooking oils can help recover silver Premium

Silver is crucial in clean energy production and electronics, with a new method using fatty acids for recycling.

Folk singer, actor Kollangudi Karuppayee passes away at 99

Renowned folk singer and actor Kollangudi Karuppayee dies at 99, leaving behind a legacy in Tamil cinema.

Residents demand widening of narrow Thazhambur Road

Residents of Navalur are calling for the widening of the narrow Thazhambur Road due to safety concerns and traffic congestion.

DPR for ₹1,600-crore project for dredging Benni Halla in final stages: Lad

Labour Minister and Dharwad district in charge Santosh Lad has said that the only solution for the frequent flooding of Benni Halla and other streams in Dharwd district was the complete dredging of Benni Halla and widening of nalas and in this regard the government had planned a ₹1,600-crore project.

Six students from T.N. figure in top 100 ranks in NEET UG 2025

Top NEET UG 2025 performers from Tamil Nadu share their study routines, aspirations, and success stories.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar to arrive Puducherry on Sunday

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar's two-day visit to Puducherry includes lectures, interactions, and planting a sapling in his mother's name.

When Tamil Nadu’s prominent political leader, Mohan Kumaramangalam, died in 1973 air crash

Recall the forgotten air crash that killed Tamil Nadu leader Mohan Kumaramangalam in 1973, overshadowed by other tragedies.

© 2008 - 2025 Webjosh  |  News Archive  |  Privacy Policy  |  Contact Us