A perfectionist at work. The first to come and last to leave at a celebration. Film producer Firdausul Hasan recollects his association with the multiple facets of Soumitra Chatterjee. Hasan, who has worked with Chattopadhyay in two films, is also the president of the Film Federation of India.

Like millions of other film enthusiasts, I have also grown up admiring actor Soumitra Chatterjee. My first film, Roopkatha Noy, with the stalwart as the lead, was my tribute to the legend.

It was my first film as a producer and I remember that initially, Soumitra-babu had said that no matter what, he would shoot only for four hours each day and we must strictly abide by his schedule. However, a few days into the shoot, the legend started staying back whenever he was not happy with his own shot or even when he realised that a few extra hours would help to wrap up a particular scene, despite me requesting him to return home for rest since the scheduled four hours were over.

Such was the human and the film loving perfectionist in him! As a newcomer and a producer, my respect for him deepened. Working with him and watching him work later in my National Award winning production ‘Mayurakshi’ has taught me numerous things about cinema, about discipline and professionalism.

I think he sensed my passion for films and that is when our relationship grew. I usually have an Id get together every year. I remember while discussing other work dates, Soumitra-babu used to take out his little diary where he noted important things and say: “Hasan, tomar Id er adda ta ebochor kobe? Likhe rakhi...”

The legend was there to grace my get together every year, he used to be the first person to arrive and the last to leave. So many things small and big are now coming to my mind about him. I shall remain grateful to destiny that as a producer and as someone who does films only because he loves films, I got the opportunity to get to know the legend. Needless to say, films will never be the same again...it is a void which will never be filled.