Soumitrada was my teacher and guide in real life: Sudeshna Roy

From “Fight, Koni fight,” in Koni, “Bandar Bachcha” in

Jhinder Bondi

to his dance moves on the song Ke Tumi Nandini in

Teen Bhubaner Pare

— Soumitra Chatterjee created innumerable magic moments on the big screen. We asked Sudeshna Roy to tell us about her favourite screen moments from the legend’s oeuvre. Here’s what she said…

I was a swimmer and for years I looked for a trainer like Khidda (Soumitra Chatterjee's reel name in Koni). I watched the film several times and when I used to participate in competitions, I would often hear ‘Fight Jhumu (my pet name) figh’. Soumitra da was my teacher and guide in real life too. I learnt the nitty-gritty of direction from him. His character in Koni has been my inspiration and whenever I feel low, I watch that film. As a teenager, I watched Apur Sansar and Samapti. And I loved it. He was the quintessential swashbuckling hero in

Jhinder Bondhi

. Though in a negative avatar, his power to attract the audience was phenomenal.