West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee fondly remembered
actor Soumitra Chatterjee on Sunday, the day he died, calling him a “giant” of Bengali
cinema and his death a loss for all of Bengal.

“‘Feluda’ is no more. ‘Apu’ said goodbye. Farewell, Soumitra
(Da) Chatterjee. He has been a legend in his lifetime. International, Indian
and Bengali cinema has lost a giant. We will miss him dearly. The film world in
Bengal has been orphaned,” Banerjee said in her first tweet.

“Best known for his films with Satyajit Ray, Soumitra Da was
conferred with Legion of Honor, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Banga Bibhushan, Padma
Bhushan & several National Awards. A great loss. Saddened. Condolences to
his family, the film fraternity & his admirers across the world,” she added
in her next tweet.

Also read: Soumitra Chatterjee: The gem of Bengali film industry

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid his homage to the great
actor, terming his death a “colossal loss” for the world cinema.

“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,” Modi tweeted.

Also Read: Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee dies at 85

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi offered his condolences to the
actor revered across the nation.

“It’s sad to hear of the demise of Dadasaheb Phalke awardee
Shri Soumitra Chatterjee, an actor par excellence who the nation has revered
over the years. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends and fans,” he
tweeted.

Chatterjee died at the age of 85 in Belle Vue Hospital in
Kolkata where he was admitted last month after getting infected with the
coronavirus.

The actor was known for his frequent collaboration with
Satyajit Ray.

Chatterjee made his debut with Ray’s film Apur Sansar in
1959, and developed a lasting relationship with him, ending up doing 14 films
in all with him as an actor.