Naseeruddin Shah to honour Soumitra Chatterjee

Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah, who straddles the world of cinema and theatre with an ease comparable with Bengal’s own Soumitra Chatterjee (famous for his role as ace sleuth, Feluda) , will be feting the hero on the occasion of his facing the camera, 58 years ago in a Satyajit Ray film.

Both the heroes draw inspiration from the legendary Bollywood actor of yesteryears, Balraj Sahani.

On August 25, Shah will release the collected prose works of Soumitra Chatterjee (titled Soumitra Chattopadhyay: Gadyasangraha) by Dey’s Publishing at Nandan I in Kolkata.

“Naseeruddin was unanimously chosen by the actor Chatterjee and editor of the book, Shamik Bandophyay because both have a different film personality and both are into theatre,” publisher Subhankar Dey said.

On the same occasion, noted artist Jogen Choudhury will be discussing various aspects of Chatterjee’s paintings. About 15 canvases done in oil and water colour by Chatterjee will be on display at Nandan 4.

While eminent critic Shamik Bandopadhyay -- also the editor of the collection of the actor’s prose writings -- will moderate the discussions, Goutam Ghose will talk about Chatterjee’s acting career.

Author Pabitra Sircar will discuss Chatterjee’s contribution to theatre and IAS officer and author Anita Agnihotri will talk about his writings.

One of India’s foremost music composers Debojyoti Mishra will wrap up the evening with a special composition dedicated to Chatterjee. ` Chatterjee has acted in more than 210 films, 14 of which were directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray.

Starting with his debut film, Apur Sansar (The World of Apu, 1959), the third part of the Apu Trilogy, 

he went on to work in several notable films with Ray, including Abhijan (The Expedition, 1962), Charulata (The Lonely Wife, 1964), Aranyer Din Ratri (Days and Nights in the Forest, 1969); Ashani Sanket (Distant Thunder, 1973); Sonar Kella (The Fortress, 1974) and Joi Baba Felunath (The Elephant God, 1978), Ghare Baire (The Home and The World, 1984) and Ganashatru (Enemy of the People, 1989). 

He also worked with other noted directors of Bengali cinema like Mrinal Sen in Akash Kusum (Up in the Clouds, 1965), Tapan Sinha in Kshudhita Pashan (Hungry Stones, 1960), Jhinder Bandi (1961), Ajoy Kar in Saat Pake Bandha (1963), Parineeta (1969), and Tarun Mazumdar in Sansar Simante (1975) and Ganadevata (1978). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2004.