Rituparno Ghosh, a genius storyteller

A bachelor, he was a versatile and innovative genius. His films won 12 National Awards A besides critical acclaim Rituparno Ghosh, one of the best Indian filmmakers in the post-Satyajit Ray period who excelled in analysing human relationships and societal issues, died here Thursday. He was 49. Ghosh, who was suffering from pancreatitis, passed away at his South Kolkata residence in sleep around 7.30 am following a massive cardiac arrest, the film industry sources said. A bachelor, he was a versatile and innovative genius. While his films won 12 National Awards besides claiming the honours at national film festivals, Ghosh got acclaim for his acting in movies like 'Memories in March', and wrote scripts, which were hailed by the critics. Born on August 31, 1963, in Kolkata, Ghosh started his career in the world of advertisement, and shifted to celluloid in 1992 with the Bengali movie 'Hirer Angti'. But he shot into prominence with the 1994 offering 'Unishe April', that bagged the National Award for best feature film and won Debashree Roy the honours in the best actress category. His other National Award winning Bengali films are 'Dahan', 'Bariwali', 'Asukh', 'Utsab', 'Shubho Mahurat', 'Chokher Bali', 'Dosar', 'Shob Charitro Kalponik' and 'Abohoman'.

Kirron Kher starrer 'Bariwali' also took away the NETPAC award at the Berlin International Film Festival in 2000.Rituparno's last release 'Chitrangada' (2012), where he also acted, won the Special jury honours at the National Film Awards. In 2007, Ghosh made his only English move 'The Last Lear' that starred Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. It won the National Award for the best feature film in English. He also directed two Hindi movies � 'Raincoat' (2004) and 'Sunglass' (2012). The former was adjudged the winner of the best feature film in Hindi at the National Awards. Besides 'Chitrangada', Ghosh acted in the movies 'Ekti Premer Golpo' and 'Memories in March'. He also wrote lucid and fluent prose, and his Bengali column in a local daily was widely read. A pall of gloom descended on the Bengali film industry as the news of his death spread Thursday morning. Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee found it difficult to accept Ghosh's untimely death. "Really, I cannot believe he is no more. We have lost one of our most promising film directors." A large number of shocked colleagues and friends gathered at the home of the much awarded filmmaker as news of the death spread.

Mamata condoles Condoling the death of genius storyteller Rituparno Ghosh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said with Ghosh's demise the state has lost "a golden artist of a golden era". "This is a very sad day for us. Bengal has lost a golden artist of a golden era. Entire Bengal is saddened," Banerjee said. Banerjee said, in order to enable the admirers and friends to pay their last respects, his body will be kept at the state-run film and cultural centre Nandan Thursday afternoon."We have taken a decision to keep his body at Nandan so that everybody can pay their last respects," she said. Rituparno Ghosh gone too soon, grieves film fraternity The film community is in a state of shock after the sudden demise of eminent director, Deepti Naval says "this was never expected", while Sujoy Ghosh is too shocked to say anything. Deepti Naval, who teamed up with Ghosh in "Memories in March", said that she is shocked to hear the news. "I knew he was not well, but I was told that his condition is under control and that he is fine. This was never expected. I can't believe this," she told. "While shooting for 'Memories In March', I knew something was wrong. He used to get tired and then used to take breaks but then he was fine. India has lost a wonderful filmmaker," added the actress. "He was absolutely fine. In fact, he was shooting two days back. I really don't know what happened all off a sudden. He was a wonderful human being," added the actress, who also worked in his directorial ventures 'Khela', 'Noukadubi', and 'Sunglass'. Paoli Dam, who was a part of "Shob Charitro Kalponik" cast, says she was going to meet him and cannot believe that he is gone."I am very very shocked, I was going to meet him, had even sent him a message in the morning, but did not get a reply, which was very unusual...I am still in a state of shock and cannot believe it. I was lucky to be directed by him in one film 'Shob Charito Kalponik'," said the actress.

Reactions "Shocked & saddened 2 hear of Rituparno Ghosh. It was great working with him in 'Raincoat'. His way of looking at things was so different and unique." - Ajay Devgn "Absolutely numbed by the saddest news of Rituparno Ghosh not being with us anymore. Loss of a dear friend, adventurous filmmaker who taught me so much. A bit too premature departure, will always feel your void my friend. RIP. Rituparno was always with such energy and life, can't believe won't see him again. Will miss him too much." - Arjun Rampal "Tragic news of filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh passing away - so young, so brilliant, a great experimenter in all cinema and life - a flame dies." - Mira Nair "Rituparno Ghosh. 49. Gone too soon. Great filmmaker. Warm, kind person. Terrible tragedy. RIP." - Siddharth "Oh God, saddened to hear of the untimely demise of a very learned man and one of my directors Rutuparno Ghosh. RIP my friend." - R Madhavan "Stunned by Rituparno Ghosh's tragic passing. A phenomenally creative director! We'd discussed a Tagore project. RIP" -Kabir Bedi "I am shocked and deeply sadden by this news. I just can't believe it. May his soul rest in peace." - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan "I'm speechless and shocked to know that talented filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh has expired. I had met Ritu a couple of times, he was a very warm and humorous person. He most definitely will be missed. Gone too soon." - Madhur Bhandarkar