Veteran actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay tested positive for Covid-19 and has been admitted to a hospital in Kolkata after the report arrived on Tuesday morning.
Health officials told PTI that the actor was unwell and was tested on Monday. Poulami Bose, Chattopadhyay’s daughter, confirmed the news and told The Times of India that the only symptom he had was fever. His temperature is normal currently and condition is stable, she added.
The Ghare Baire actor had recently resumed shooting for Parambrata Chatterjee’s Abhijan in the past few days after the Bombay High Court allowed all persons above the age of 65 to work on a film set. The film is said to be the veteran actor’s biopic. Jisshu Sengupta will be seen playing the role of young Chattopadhyay while the actor will be portraying his older self.
The actor also shot for Sandip Sarkar’s web series Next in the last week of September. The news of him testing positive has concerned many fans, as well as industry accomplices of his, who have all wished him a speedy recovery on social media. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also took to Twitter and wished for his good health.
Concerned to hear about the veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee testing positive for #COVID19. Praying for his speedy recovery and good health!
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) October 6, 2020
Chattopadhyay is best known for his films with auteur Satyajit Ray. The pair has made several iconic films like Apur Sansar, Ashani Sanket, Aranyer Din Ratri, Charulata, Teen Kanya, Shakha Proshakha, Ganashatru, Saat Pake Bandha, the Feluda series, and many more.
He has also acted in movies directed by other renowned Bengali directors like Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha, Ajoy Kar, and Asit Sen.
Among the several accolades he has received all these years, Chattopadhyay won the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2012. He has also received three National Awards for his performances in Antardhan, Padokkhep and Dekha. The Sonar Kella actor has also been decorated with the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Tagore Ratna.
