Sharmila and Soumitra embarked on cinema together, starring in Apur Sansar, the third installment in Satyajit Ray’s Apu trilogy. The actors have later collaborated in films like Devi, Aranyer Din Ratri and Barnali.
In an interview with PTI, Sharmila reflected on the unique bond she had shared with Soumitra throughout his life and how she is yet to accept the news of his departure.
“I was 13 years old and he was 10 years elder to me when we started working in Apur Sansar. In the film, those beautiful dialogues that we spoke to each other also endeared us to each other. That was the beginning. I really respected, admired him and for what he stood for. He was one of my oldest friends, after my husband Tiger (Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi) and actor Shashi Kapoor. He has been such a loyal and fun friend,” she said.
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“We could lead our parallel lives and yet have a connection, somewhere because our thoughts, depth and loyalty was the same. Soumitra knew I’d never speak ill of him. There was no questioning of what we shared; we didn’t have to prove it. If I didn’t talk to him or if he didn’t talk to me, I wouldn’t feel ‘Oh God he hasn’t wished me, he doesn’t remember my birthday.’ It was just so organic. I can’t give it any name.”
Soumitra Chatterjee was taken to Kolkata's Belle Vue Clinic hospital on October 6, a day after he tested positive for the coronavirus. The legendary actor passed away at the age of 85 on November 15.
Sharmila recollected the decades-long friendship with Soumitra and how there was no end to their banter and fondness for each other over the years.
“We would talk for hours on sports, history, our vision of India. I find him irreplaceable that way because there’s nobody else I can share so much with. If I expressed a certain point of view, he’d agree and expand or shoot it down and give his reasons. That kind of friendship is so rare. To lose that is huge,” she said.
