Tollywood bids an emotional adieu to Anik Dutta

Filmmaker Anik Dutta’s sudden demise on Wednesday has left the film fraternity and Bengali cinephiles alike in deep shock. On Friday, his mortal remains were first taken to Nandan and then to NT-1 Studio in Tollygunge, where friends, family members, colleagues and admirers gathered to pay their final respects.

Several prominent personalities from the Bengali film industry were present to pay homage. Filmmaker Srijit Mukherji, actors Abir Chatterjee and Rudranil Ghosh were among those seen standing beside the grieving family. Actor Jeet arrived quietly, offered flowers as a final mark of respect, and left shortly afterwards.

Actress Roopa Ganguly arrived visibly emotional and remarked that she was deeply unhappy and shaken by what had happened. Veteran politician Biman Bose also visited the studio to pay his respects to the departed filmmaker.

Actor Jeetu Kamal, who played the titular role in Anik Dutta’s film Aparajito – a tribute to Satyajit Ray – declined to comment as he paid tribute to the director who had played a defining role in his career by casting him in the film. Overcome with grief, the actor was seen with tears in his eyes as he stood in a corner for one last goodbye.

Actors Bidipta Chakraborty and Sudipta Chakraborty were also present, along with Chaitali Dasgupta. Singer Lagnajita Chakraborty broke down while offering her respects, reflecting the deep emotional impact the filmmaker had on those who knew him personally and professionally. Filmmaker Ashoke Viswanathan attended the memorial with his daughter Anusha Viswanathan, while director Kamaleswar Mukherjee, actor Sauraseni Maitra and several respected names from the industry, including Goutam Ghose, Biswajit Chakraborty, Dulal Lahiri, Sudeshna Roy, Deb Dut Ghosh, Sonali Chowdhury and Monami Ghosh, were also seen paying their final tributes.

As the memorial gathering neared its conclusion, Rudranil Ghosh addressed those present and requested everyone to come together in honour of Dutta’s memory by singing Aguner Parashmoni. The emotional rendition soon echoed through the studio as family members, colleagues and admirers joined in. Goutam Ghose, Lagnajita Chakraborty, Sudipa Chatterjee and Ushasie Chakraborty were also seen singing alongside Rudranil Ghosh, with Anik Dutta’s daughter, Oishee Dutta, joining in to honour her father’s final moments.

Following the tribute, family members and loved ones offered their last respects before Dutta’s mortal remains were taken for cremation.

The ad-man turned feature filmmaker rose to fame with the 2012 satirical horror-comedy Bhooter Bhabishyat and went on to direct Aparajito, Meghnadbodh Rohoshyo and Borunbabur Bondhu. He was particularly known for social commentary through his art.