Sonar Kella is a classic. Directed by Satyajit Ray, the film is a favorite among the audience irrespective of their age. The film completed 50 years in 2024.

To commemorate this astounding feat, Sonar Kella 50 Calendar was launched in the presence of director Sandip Ray, Siddhartha Chatterjee who played Topshe in the film, Kushal Chakraborty who played Mukul, Debasis Mukhopadhyay, a Ray specialist collector, Rupak Saha, Director of Shyam Sundar Co Jewellers and Sudipta Chanda, Director and initiator of the calendar.

The launch took place at the house which was shown as Mukul’s house in the film.

Speaking at the event, Kushal Chakraborty said “My indoor shots took place at Indrapuri Studio. And to come here is a great feeling indeed. But to think that one of my films completed 50 years is an awesome feeling. Working with such great people in the film was a thing that I could not understand then. But I understand its importance now”.

Kushal Chakraborty also said “Satyajit Ray asked my father to make me comfortable with the lines of a particular scene. However, he insisted that I should not memorize it. Otherwise, it will look mechanical. He understood so well the psychology of kids and how to bring out the best from a kid. That is why he was a master of the craft”.

Siddhartha Chatterjee was 12 years old during the shoot of the film. Since he had no idea of facing the camera or about other nuances, he simply followed what the director said. The actor said that the shoot was more like a picnic.

Sandip Ray said that his father had always been meticulous and the way he prepared before the shoot made things easy.

Siddhartha Chatterjee further added that the contribution of Ray in making Jaisalmer a well-known tourist spot is immense. Earlier, not many people knew about the place. It was after the film was released that people started visiting the place.

The calendar is a great collector’s item for all Ray fans.

Priyanka Dutta