I was hoping Chuni Goswami would make it to Maidaan's premier: Amartya Ray

Amartya Ray plays a football player inspired by Chuni Goswami in the winter release

Maidaan

, starring Ajay Devgn as the legendary coach

Syed Abdul Rahim

.
"I couldn’t believe when he got the news of Chuni Goswami’s demise," said Amartya when CT spoke to him. “I feel like I am shutting down. I was devastated yesterday by Irrfan’s passing and today my morning started with Rishi Kapoor’s news and now this! Suddenly all the moments from shooting for Amit Sharma’s Maidaan came back to me where I acted as a young marvellous and blazingly talented

character

which is based on Chuni Goswami. No, I didn’t have the privilege to meet him during this shoot but I did read about him a lot so that I can portray his character better on screen. I was hoping that he will come to the film’s premier. I wanted to tell him that it will remain my life’s honour to have played his golden days in the Asia Cup in this film. I had met him a few years ago when he had come to watch a play I was acting in under mom’s (Chaiti Ghoshal's) direction,” said the actor. He added, “While researching on his life and playing technique for Maidaan I fell in love with football all over again and I realised how legendary he was way back in 62. Today evening I feel the weight on my shoulders perhaps has grown a little heavier.

Rest

in peace, sir.”