Sep 17, 2004 03:04 PM
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(Updated Sep 17, 2004 03:04 PM)
Soumitra Chatterjee is clearly one of the very rare actors of Indian Cinema who has always maintained a healthy balance between parallel and mainstream cinema. For every Apur Sansar he has given an Atal jwaler Ahobaan, for every Baksho Badal he has given a Basanta Bilaap. The main reason for this rarity is his good looks and extremely versatile, truly cinematic performances. Whether he was playing Feluda or Kaka Babu, he was as stellar as ever.
Over the passage of time, Soumitra has given some amazing performances whch will always be fondly remembered by thre masses and classes alike. Soumitra made a confident debut alongwith Sharmila Tagore in Apur Sansar where he portrayed the many faceted character of Apu with the elan of a veteran. Since then there was no looking back for this tall and handsome man. If Uttam kumar was the ''matinee idol'', Soumitra was no less. he was the apostle of the restless, unemployed middle class youth of post independent bengal.
In my opinion, the following are the best films of Somitra Chatterjee:
Apur Sansar: Satyajit Ray always imposed a lot of confidence onSoumitra babu and he never let him down. This film is a fine example of that trust.
Jhinder Bondi: Here, he was pitted against Uttam Kumar but still he held his own and managed a great performance.
Sonar Kella: As the ultimate sleuth Feluda , Somitra was excellent. His natural acting is at its best in this Ray film. since then , a large section of audience still identifies him with Feluda.
Basanta Bilap: those who believe Soumitra cannot do comedy must see this film and decide for themselves. he was absolutely superb in this film . Aparna sen was no less.
Pratham Kadam Phool: Soumitra and Tanuja always made a great pair. This film abour marital discord brings out his best. He is too good as a slightly chauvinistic husband.
Monihaar: This film is a typical musical love story but still Soumitra with his amazing histrionics proved that even in typical films he is unbeatable.
Akash Kusum: Soumitra played an ambitious but somewhat impractical youth with amazing naturalness.
Atanko: A slightly older Soumitra plays a straightforward school teacher in this film and each expression reflects why he was Satyajit Ray's favourite actor.
There are many more films to show his versatality but space and time is forcing me to conclude this review here. So, readers this is my humble tribute to a person for whom acting is not a source of bread and butter but a passion.
