“I have written the book haphazardly. Whenever I remembered anything, I wrote that down in the book. I hope that the book will be loved by Ray fans. It is an account of a simple youngster who had no idea about acting and who got to act in such amazing films” said Siddhartha Chatterjee at the launch of his book Feludar Prothom Topse.

Siddhartha Chatterjee played the character of Topse in Ray’s films Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath.

Also gracing the book launch was director Sandip Ray, former bodybuilder Malay Roy, actor Kushal Chakraborty, film director Shantanu Bagchi and Tridib Chatterjee, writer and editor, and General Secretary of the Publishers and Booksellers Guild.

Kushal Chakraborty said “Many children have worked in Ray’s films. And the way he has made them act was amazing. But this is the first time that a child actor has documented their experiences of working with Ray. It is a great piece of work and will make for a splendid read for Ray lovers”.

The actor also added that through Sonar Kella, Ray not only made Jaisalmer popular but also contributed to the economic development of the area. That is no mere feat.

Sandip Ray praised the author and said that the book was written in lucid language and provided a great insight into the world of Ray.

Malay Roy played Gunamoy Bagchi in the film Joy Baba Felunath. “Ray was looking for a bodybuilder. Soumitra Chatterjee knew about my father Monotosh Roy who was a bodybuilder too. It was through my father that Soumitra Chatterjee contacted me. I still remember the day I went to Ray’s home. It was my first time visiting Ray’s home. I saw a man sitting in a pile of books. And it is then that I was introduced to Ray” recounted Malay Roy.

The book is priced at Rs 325.

It will be available at bookstores and also on online platforms.

A must-have book for Ray fans.

Priyanka Dutta