Bengali actor Abhishek Chatterjee passes away at age 57

Abhishek Chatterjee, a prominent name from the Bangla entertainment industry to reckon with, breathed his last at the age of 57 today (March 24) in Kolkata. Family members told news agency PTI that he died following a massive cardiac arrest.

On Wednesday, he was shooting for a nonfiction television show and complained about uneasiness in the stomach. He was later administered saline at his Prince Anwar Shah Road residence. He passed away in the early hours of Thursday due to a massive heart attack.

Chatterjee played a major role in reviving the business of Bangla films during the mid-’80s when the commercial Bangla film industry was not particularly going through a good time.

He debuted with the 1986 film Pothbhola and over the course of the next 35 years managed to garner a special place for himself in the hearts of cinema lovers. Rituporno Ghosh’s Dohon and Bariwali were amongst his popular films. Chatterjee worked with veteran actors like Utpal Dutt, Prosenjit Chatterjee. In recent times, he became a prominent name in the Bangla television industry.

Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee condoled with his family and tweeted, “Sad to know of the untimely demise of our young actor Abhishek Chatterjee. Abhishek was talented and versatile in his performances, and we shall miss him. It is a great loss for TV serials and our film industry. My condolences to his family and friends.”

While speaking to ABP Online, the former reigning queen of the Bangla film industry, Debashree Roy remembered Chatterjee and said, “Mithu (Chatterjee) became the heartthrob of that generation with his very debut and he looked so handsome. Girls would do anything just to touch him once.”

Firhad Hakim, the Mayor of Kolkata also expressed grief and tweeted saying, “Deeply pained by the un-timely demise of talented & young actor of our Bengal Film industry #Abhishek Chatterjee. A strong personality both on screen & off it, he will be missed us and his countless admirers and followers. My deepest condolences. May his soul Rest in Peace (sic).”

More details on his last rites are also awaited. He is survived by his wife and daughter.