Parambrata Chatterjee on Samaresh Majumdar’s death: Playing Animesh was a politically defining step in my life

Bengali author Samaresh Majumdar breathed his last on Monday at around 5:45 pm at a private hospital in Kolkata. He was 81. He was admitted to the hospital in April after he suffered a brain stroke. Parambrata Chatterjee, who plays one of his iconic characters Animesh in Kalbela, remembers Samaresh Majumdar after his death. 

Directed by Goutam Ghose, Kalbela was released in 2009. Parambrata and Paoli portrayed Animesh and Madhabilata in the film. “I knew Samaresh Majumdar through my parents. Later, when I grew up, I met him many times. I have portrayed many iconic characters. But playing Animesh was a socially and politically defining step in my life,” said the actor. Did he talk to the author before playing Animesh? “No. But we spoke after the film was released. He was very happy with it,” the actor replied. 

Parambrata also talked about his love for Samaresh Majumdar’s work. “His work is highly rich as well as accessible. Often we see that classics are enjoyed by a niche audience and popular literary works are not always rich. Samaresh Majumdar bridged this gap effortlessly for a long time,” he said, adding that this accessibility resulted in his works being translated on the big screen.  

Parambrata further added that the author lived his life but he will always be missed. “We all knew one day will come when we would get the news of his demise. He lived his life. However, he will be missed. Samaresh Majumdar will be alive among us through his work,” he added.