Soumitra Chatterjee

Soumitra Chatterjee never paid too much attention to tradional education. He has received his early education from C.M.M. St John School in Krishnonagar. Due to his father’s (Mohit Kumar Chattopadhay)transferable job, young Soumitra had to change his school several times. Later, he joined Barasat Government high School , from where he has to take transfer to Howrah Government School. He even had to study few years at Darjeeling High School. But he completed his matriculation from Howrah High School. Later he completed I.S.C in 1953. After this, he joined the well known City College in Kolkata and completed his graduation in Bengali Honours. Although he had joined Calcutta University for M.A. but he was unable to appear for the exam.

Soumitra Chatterjee is one the most internationally acknowledged actors in the arena of Bengali Cinema due to his numerous works with Satyajit Ray. Born on 19th January 1935 in Kolkata , he has received his early education from C.M.M. St John School in Krishnonagar. Due to his father’s (Mohit Kumar Chattopadhay)transferable job, young Soumitra had to change his school several times. Later, he joined Barasat Government high School , from where he has to take transfer to Howrah Government School. He even had to study few years at Darjeeling High School. But he completed his matriculation from Howrah High School. After this, he joined the well known City College in Kolkata and completed his graduation in Bengali Honours. Although he had joined Calcutta University for M.A. but he was unable to appear for the exam.

While he was doing his M.A, he got a job offer from Indo-Nepal Trading Corporation. He started his first job with 250 rupees a month. Within short time, he got a chance to work as a Radio announcer. After accepting the job, he stopped his studies. In 1960, he got married.

Soumitra has worked under Sishir Kumar Bhaduri, so he was never much interested in Bengali Movies. However, the landmark movie “Pather Panchali” made a very strong impact on Soumitra Chatterjee. Somehow he got a chance to meet Satyajit Roy at his home on Lake Temple Road while he was with his friend Arun Chowdhury. Satyajit Ray was looking for a charecter for “Aparajito“. As the role was not suitable for his age, Soumitra didn’t got chance to act in that film. However, in the very next year (1957), Satyajit Ray offered him the role of Apu for his movie “Apur Sansar” (final film of Apu Trilogy). With the superb performance in the legendary film, Soumitra Chatterjee started his career in Bengali Movies. He is probably the only person who is suitable for Tagore Classicss.  Moreover, he had potrayed the character of Feluda in Satyajit Ray’s thrillers in Sonar Kella (1974), Joy Baba Felunath (1979). He had also worked with noted directors like Mrinal Sen in Akas Kusum, Pratinidhi, Tapan Sinha in Jhinder Bandi, Khudita Pasan, Tarun Majumder in Ganadevota (1979). He has participated in Berlin Film Festival for his performance in Charulata. He has also traveled worldwide for his play “Tiktiki”. Other than films, he was associated with theatre. He had the extraordinary fortune to be trained under the legendary stage personalities like Sisir Kumar Bhaduri and his performance as Suresh in “Prafulla” was still considered to be a landmark in his career. He is a well known figure in the world of Bengali poetry recitation and has lent his voice for many documentaries. He is truly a versatile genius who has books of poems in his credit. Even, he has directed many theatres, plays and one telefilm.

Who is bigger and better? Uttam Kumar or Soumitra Chatterjee? Every bengali spend their youth debating on the issue which has not yet been settled.

Recently Soumitra Chatterjee has completed 50 years of his career in Cinema. Still we do not celebrate him much over the media. Nobody talks about the legendary person. We, the members of Calcutta Tube offering our respect to Soumitra Chatterjee with this post.

In 1970 and 1972 , he was awarded the coveted Padmashri but he renounced it both times. He has been felicitated by several institutions for his contribution to Bengali Cinema. Soumitra has also received ‘The Officier des Arts et Metiers’ from France. Recently, the title “PadmaBhusan “ has been conferred to him by the Government of India. In 1995 , he got the Lifetime Achievement award from FilmFare. In 2008, he was given National Award for best actor for his performance in Padakhep.

Soumitra Chatterjee is still working on Bengali Films. 10:10, Anubhab, Jakhan Esechilam, Megh Brishtir Khela, Pakhi are some of his movies waiting to be released soon.

Watch some of Video Intervies/Songs/Documentaries on Soumitra Chatterjee

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