New Delhi: Bengali filmmaker and eminent theatre personality Goutam Halder has passed away. The veteran filmmaker had a cardiac arrest on Friday at the age of 67. Halder was admitted to a private hospital after he complained of chest pain at his residence in Salt Lake earlier that morning, a PTI report said.
Halder had directed Vidya Balan in his first Bengali film 'Bhalo Theko' in 2003. He also directed Rakhi Gulzar in the film 'Nirvana' in 2019. Having directed more than 80 stage plays, Goutam Halder was a member of the theatre group 'Nandikar'.
Soon after the news of his demise, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Bannerjee scondoled his death on X, "Saddened by the demise of distinguished film director and theatre personality Goutam Halder. His demise is a great loss to the world of culture. Condolences to his family members and admirers," she wrote.
Actor Chaiti Ghosal, part of Halder's Rakta Karabi, wrote on social media, "Famous theatre personality and film director Gautam Halder is no more. My deepest respect to you. He was my mentor in the world of theatre."
She also shared a few pictures on Instagram with the caption, "RAKTOKOROBI R BISHU PAGOL FOREVER. Bhalo theko…I am so grateful to have done innumerable RAKTOKOROBI SHOWS AS NANDINI under your direction.”
Goutam Halder had also made a documentary 'Strings for Freedom' on Sarod maestro Ustad Amjad Ali Khan in 1999.
Apart from directing movies and theatre productions, Halder had also acted in Bengali movies directed by filmmakers like Anjan Dutta, Raja Sen, Nitish Roy.
Meanwhile, Vidya Balan reached Kolkata on Friday evening to pay her last respects to the filmmaker, reported Anandabazaar. In an interaction with the portal, she shared that she was heartbroken at the sudden demise.
Goutam Halder had also arranged Vidya Balan's visit for Durga Puja to Kolkata this year. At the time, Vidya Balan had told Telegraph, "My film career began with Goutamda 20 years ago. That’s when I last visited his house. Today I shall be going there again”.