Veteran and beloved filmmaker Basu Chatterjee breathed his last today at the ripe old age of 93. The cause of his death is cited as age-related ailments. Bollywood took to social media all through Thursday to mourn the demise of the filmmaker.
Amitabh Bachchan, who starred in Chatterjee's 1979 release "Manzil", tweeted: "Prayers and Condolences on the passing of Basu Chatterjee .. a quiet, soft spoken, gentle human .. his films reflected the lives of middle India .. did 'MANZIL' with him .. a sad loss ... in these climes often remembered for 'rim jhim gire saawan'."
T 3552 - Prayers and Condolences on the passing of Basu Chatterjee .. a quiet, soft spoken, gentle human .. his films reflected the lives of middle India .. did 'MANZIL' with him .. a sad loss ..
.. in these climes often remembered for 'rim jhim gire saawan'— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) June 4, 2020
Shabana Azmi worked with Chatterjee in three movies. She shared: "Deeply saddened to hear about Basu Chatterjee's passing away.A prolific filmaker, he was the pioneer of what came to be regarded as middle of the road cinema. I was fortunate to have done 3 lovely films with him Swami, Apne Paraye and Jeena Yahan. All lifelike characters. RIP."
Deeply saddened to hear about Basu Chatterjee’s passing away.A prolific filmaker, he was the pioneer of what came to be regarded as middle of the road cinema. I was fortunate to have done 3 lovely films with him Swami Apne Paraye and Jeena Yahan. All lifelike characters .RIP pic.twitter.com/tAN5vaTZiY
— Azmi Shabana (@AzmiShabana) June 4, 2020
Anil Kapoor who starred in the 1986 comedy "Chameli Ki Shaadi" shared: "A director who was always ahead of his time.. Basu Chatterjee will be truly missed. He was an effortless genius and an amazing human being. May he rest in peace."
A director who was always ahead of his time.. Basu Chatterjee will be truly missed. He was an effortless genius and an amazing human being. May he rest in peace pic.twitter.com/QShAojouPJ
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) June 4, 2020
Anupam Kher had a starring role in Chatterjee's last Bollywood directorial "Gudgudee" (1997), tweeted: "Basu da aapki yaad ayegi. We will miss you Basu Da! Your simplicity in your persona and in your cinema. Om Shanti. #BasuChatterjee."
We will miss you Basu Da! Your simplicity in your persona and in your cinema. Om Shanti. #BasuChatterjee pic.twitter.com/5anKo6lLnR
— Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) June 4, 2020
Filmmaker Shoojit Sircar tweeted, "My 1st job as an assistant director was with Basu Chatterjee for a Bengali tv serial shot in CR park, New Delhi.. May his soul Rest In Peace."
My 1st job as an assistant director was with Basu Chatterjee for a Bengali tv serial shot in CR park, New Delhi.. May his soul Rest In Peace.
— Shoojit Sircar (@ShoojitSircar) June 4, 2020
Apart from those who have worked with him, several others of the film industry also expressed their condolences.
"Never got tired of watching sir Basu Chatterjee' films over & over again , as a growing cinema lover in my teens & this love shall continue forever...a path-creator & an inspiration ! Rest in peace, Sir #Basuchatterjee," tweeted Yami Gautam.
Never got tired of watching sir Basu Chatterjee’ films over & over again , as a growing cinema lover in my teens & this love shall continue forever...a path-creator & an inspiration ! Rest in peace, Sir #Basuchatterjee
— Yami Gautam (@yamigautam) June 4, 2020
Riteish Deshmukh expressed: "No one did slice of life films better than you Basu Da, thank you for enriching our lives. RIP #BasuChatterjee"
No one did slice of life films better than you Basu Da, thank you for enriching our lives. RIP #BasuChatterjee
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) June 4, 2020
Aamir Khan tweeted, "Really sorry to hear the sad news of Basu Chatterjee passing away. My heartfelt condolences to Basuda's family and friends. His contribution to Indian Cinema will always be remembered."
Really sorry to hear the sad news of Basu Chatterjee passing away. My heartfelt condolences to Basuda's family and friends. His contribution to Indian Cinema will always be remembered.
— Aamir Khan (@aamir_khan) June 4, 2020
The filmmaker's last rites were held in Mumbai yesterday afternoon with family and close friends in presence.