Goutam Halder directed Vidya Balan in her debut film, Bhalo Theko.
Vidya Balan had recently met the director in Kolkata during Durga Puja.
Prominent Bengali filmmaker and theater personality Goutam Halder passed away on Friday due to a cardiac arrest at the age of 67. Halder was admitted to a private hospital after experiencing chest pain at his residence in Salt Lake earlier that morning, as reported by sources in the Bengali film industry.
He directed approximately 80 stage productions, including Rabindranath Tagore’s ‘Rakta Karabi’ in recent times. Halder ventured into Bengali cinema with his debut film ‘Bhalo Theko’ in 2003, starring Vidya Balan in the lead role. That apart, he directed ‘Nirvana’ in 2019, featuring Rakhi Gulzar in the lead role.
Expressing grief over his death, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a statement, “Saddened by the demise of distinguished film director and theatre personality Goutam Halder. His demise is a great loss to the world of culture.” Halder had also made a documentary, ‘Strings for Freedom’, on Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in 1999.
According to Anandabazar, Vidya reached Kolkata on Friday evening to pay her last respects to the filmmaker. Speaking to the portal, she said that she’s heartbroken at his sudden demise.
Actress Vidya Balan made her debut in the 2003 film ‘Bhalo Theko,’ where veteran actress Rakhi Gulzar played the lead role. Halder had also accompanied Vidya at Kalighat and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport earlier in October second week. Vidya Balan was the leading lady in his debut film.
Goutam Halder, a resident of HB Block in Kolkata’s Saltlake, had arranged the star’s visit to the puja this year. During an interaction with Telegraph, Vidya had said, “My film career began with Goutamda 20 years ago. That’s when I last visited his house. Today I shall be going there again”.
