The film community is in a state of shock after the sudden demise of eminent director Rituparno Ghosh, who made films like "Chokher Bali", "Raincoat" and "Bariwali". Deepti Naval says "this was never expected", while Sujoy Ghosh is too shocked to say anything.
Rituparno Ghosh was suffering from pancreatitis and died of cardiac arrest Thursday at his residence around 7.30 a.m., said sources. He was 49.
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 IANS.
"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.
Actress Raima Sen, who worked with him for the first time in 2003 film "Chokher Bali", too is shocked.
"I am in Mumbai and we all are going to Kolkata. It's a shock for the entire film industry, specially for Bengali film industry. We all are going to his house," Raima told IANS.
"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".
"Kahaani" fame director Sujoy Ghosh, who was acting as Byomkesh Bakshi in Ghosh's directorial venture "Satyanewshi", told IANS: "I am leaving for Kolkata, can't talk right now."
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 reached kolkata yesterday (Wednesday) only. I was going to meet him, had even sent him a message this 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.
There were many who took to micro-blogging site Twitter to express their grief. Here is what they tweeted:
Ajay Devgn: Shocked & saddened 2 hear of Rituparno Ghosh. It was great working wit him in 'Raincoat'. His way of looking at things was so different and unique.
Arjun Rampal: 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.
Divya Dutta: Shocked to hear about Ritu da. Not sinking in! fondest memories of working with him in 'The Last Lear'!RIP
Mira Nair: Tragic news of filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh passing away - so young, so brilliant, a great experimenter in all cinema and life - a flame dies.
Siddharth: Rituparno Ghosh. 49. Gone too soon. Great filmmaker. Warm, kind person. Terrible tragedy. RIP.
R. Madhavan: Oh God, saddened to hear of the untimely demise of a very learned man and one of my directors Rutuparno Ghosh. RIP my friend.
Kabir Bedi: Stunned by Rituparno Ghosh's tragic passing. A phenomenally creative director! We'd discussed a Tagore project. RIP
Viveck Vaswani: I still remember reading "The Gift of the Magi" in the morning, and co-incidentally watching it come to life in "Raincoat" (which was inspired by O Henry's short story) in the afternoon!
Rohit Roy: Just heard about Ritu da, this is unbelievable. Just spoke to him a couple of days back to say I'm coming to Kolkata for my release...RIP. A lot of dreams unfulfilled. I am sure he had so much more to give to cinema... Gone far to early.
Madhur Bhandarkar: 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.
Derek O'Brien: A friend for 30 years. A neighbour. A buddy from our days in advertising. A champ director. My wife's favourite Kolkatan. Rituparno Ghosh. Gone too soon.
--Ind-Asian News Service
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