The death of renowned Bengali filmmaker Anik Dutta on Wednesday has taken the state's film industry by shock, with many offering condolences for the fearless voice behind films like Bhooter Bhabishyat and Aparajito: The Undefeated.
Amid the sorrow over the 66-year-old's mysterious death after falling from the terrace of his house, Bangladeshi actress Quazi Nawshaba Ahmed recalled her last phone call with Dutta.
Nawshaba had played the lead role in Dutta's last film, Jawto Kando Kolkatatei, a thriller influenced by Feluda, Satyajit Ray's legendary detective.
However, she told Aajkaal that her bond with the director dates back to the time her father passed away, at which point she used to pen long, open letters for him on Facebook.
"It was after reading those that Anik Da contacted me. I realised those writings had deeply touched his heart when he told me very emotionally: 'I contacted you only after reading the letters you wrote to your father. I feel like after I pass away, my daughter Rai will also write open letters for me like this,'" she said, noting that the conversations between them grew since then.
She recounted how Dutta had helped her become proficient in a number of art forms, from sketching to playing classical music, before offering her the lead role in his 2025 film.
"While doing theatre extensively in Bangladesh, I used to wonder if I would ever get the chance to play a lead role on the big screen. It was Anik Da who gave me that confidence and opportunity," she said, pointing out that the lead character's name in the film was also changed for her.
The last phone call
The actress also recalled her last phone call with Dutta, which took place earlier this month, on the occasion of Satyajit Ray's birth anniversary.
Apart from talking about the legendary auteur, she also said that the two had discussed art and reminisced about undivided Bengal—especially Cumilla, Dutta's ancestral home, which is now in Bangladesh.
Nawshaba explained that Dutta had also discussed the idea of making "at least one more" film after recovering from health issues, and had revealed his last wish.
"I deeply desire, you know, for that film to be released in Cumilla. I have heard so much about that place and our ancestral house from my parents ... I really wish to go," he had told her in what became his final phone call.
"One shouldn't think of people merely as memories. Anik Dutta is exactly that kind of a person whose presence can always be felt. In my personal life and my artistic journey, I will feel Anik Da's blessings forever."