Veteran Bengali film actor Haradhan Bandopadhyay passed away on January 5 at a hospital in Kolkata.
The 87-year-old actor is survived by his wife and two sons.
The actor worked with Satyajit Ray in films like “Shonar Kella” (Golden Fort), “Jai Baba Felunath” and “Mahanagar”, among others.
He also worked with other renowned directors like Mrinal Sen and Satyajit Ray’s son Sandip Ray.
His most recent performance in Anurag Basu’s film “Barfi” was lauded by audiences and critics.
Reacting to his demise, Dadasaheb Phalke award winning actor Soumitra Chatterjee said, “It is difficult to express the loss. We worked together before coming to the film world.”
Recently, the West Bengal government conferred the Banga Bibhusan award on Bandopadhyay.
Last year the actor was in Dhaka to attend a theatre festival. During his three-day stay, the seasoned actor talked to The Daily Star (TDS) on myriad subjects:
Who is to be credited for your remarkable performance in “Shonar Kella”?
Haradhon: It was because of Satyajit Ray that I was able to give my best in that movie. I believe that the director is the utmost authority in movie-making. He was my mentor and I only walked on the path he showed me.
You were born in East Bengal?
Haradhon: I was born in a house near the Darshana rail station, where my father used to work. The date was November 6, 1926. So yes, my roots are here.
Where did you grow up?
Haradhon: My father’s work didn’t allow us to settle down anywhere. He was transferred every couple of years. But most of my childhood was spent in North or East Bengal. Those were wonderful times.
Which particular place in Bangladesh do you feel most attached to?
Haradhon: Kushtia. School, college, theatre movement, Swadeshi Andolan, happiness and sorrows — everything is linked to Kushtia.
Any regret?
Haradhon: It’s impossible not to have regrets when one is an artiste. I was not allowed to sit for Honours exams as a private candidate. This caused me great pain. I went to the authorities to discuss this, but they told me that there was no such rule. I told them that I had reasons for which I wanted to talk to them. They, however, shoved me out of there. I told myself then and there that I wouldn’t study anything else if I was not allowed to study Bangla. It upset me for a long time.
-With The Daily Star input
