Soumitra Chatterjee

Soumitra Chatterjee was a celebrated Indian actor, playwright, poet, and writer who made a lasting contribution to Bengali cinema and theatre. Born on 19 January 1935, he began his professional life as an announcer at All India Radio before entering films. He made his screen debut in Satyajit Ray’s Apur Sansar (1959), playing the adult Apu. This marked the beginning of a distinguished career that spanned more than six decades.
Chatterjee became especially renowned for his collaborations with Ray, appearing in acclaimed films such as Charulata, Aranyer Din Ratri, Sonar Kella, and Ghare Baire. He also portrayed the famous detective Feluda, earning a special place among Bengali cinema audiences. Beyond acting, he worked extensively in theatre and poetry and wrote and directed plays. His achievements included the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Soumitra Chatterjee died on 15 November 2020 in Kolkata, leaving behind an influential artistic legacy.