Renowned film critic, historian and a pioneer of the film society movement in India, Chidananda Dasgupta, died at his residence here late on Sunday night.
The father of actress and filmmaker Aparna Sen, Chidananda Dasgupta was born in Shillong in 1921. A close association with legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray led to the formation of the Calcutta Film Society in 1947 with Sergei Eisenstein's classic Battleship Potemkin as its first screening.
More than a decade later, the Federation of Film Societies of India was set up on his initiative.
“Chidananda Dasgupta was indispensable to the film society. We would always find him busy either procuring the films or organising screenings. He demonstrated that a film movement is possible here,” filmmaker Mrinal Sen told The Hindu on Monday.
Commitment
His commitment to the film society was steadfast despite having to work during the day. A strong response he had written to an essay that had appeared in a Bengali periodical launched his literary career. He is credited as one of the early pioneers who carved a space for serious film criticism in India.
‘Extraordinary writer'
“He was an extraordinary writer. In his long association with films, he donned many roles; but it was his writing, both in English and Bengali, that was most distinctive,” Mr. Sen added.
Dasgupta was given the lifetime achievement award at the Osian's Cinefan Film Festival in 2004 in recognition for his writings on films, which include books such as Talking about Films, The Cinema of Satyajit Ray and Unpopular Cinema .
Dasgupta had also ventured into directing films. He made seven films, including two feature films – Bilet Pherat and Amodini. Released in 1994, Amodini starred his daughter Aparna Sen and granddaughter Konkona Sen Sharma.
While he is mostly recognised as a film critic, his writing was not limited to cinema.
He also wrote on literature and translated many Bengali works into English. Related to the renowned poet, Jibanananda Das, he translated several of his poems.
‘A full life'
Remembering a friend of more than 50 years, actor Soumitra Chatterjee was happy that Dasgupta had lived “a very full life.”
“He will be remembered for his very good work whether at the film society or as a filmmaker and critic,” Mr. Chatterjee added.
