Soumitra Chatterjee was a personality full of spirit: Babita

Actress Farida Akhtar Babita had the rare opportunity to work on Ashani Sanket. It was directed by the legendary Satyajit Ray and she considers it was one of her best works. 

The movie was filmed in Shantiniketon and Indropuri Studio where she met Soumitra Chatterjee for the first time. 

Regarding Soumitra Chatterjee's personality Babita mentioned that, He was already a superstar back then. But he was a friendly person. He talked a lot and used to exercise regularly.  

"I must say he was a personality full of energy and spirit. On the other hand, I was young and naïve and used to ask a lot of unnecessary questions," Babita farther recalls. 

"Dada (Soumitra) used to laugh at my immaturity but always helped me to understand my work. In fact, the entire team was very supportive.  Actually he could befriend people easily" said Babita. 

"I remember the train journey when we were returning back after shooting the film. The crew members were playing cards and I did not know how to play so Dada taught me." Babita remembered.  

Ashani Sanket was nominated for a German festival. Babita recalls that she along with Stayajit, Soumitra and Sandhya Rai went to the festival. The movie won Golden Beer award. "The hotel gave us a bottle of champagne which I gifted to dada. That was the beginning of our friendship. We used to see each other every time he came to Dhaka or I visited Kolkata. " Babita added.