Kolkata para marks Jatayu centenary with memories, tributes & nostalgia
Times of India | 8 December 2025
Kolkata: In the heart of Amherst Row, where red rowaks bore silent witness to countless tales, Satyajit Ray once sat, grappling with the demise of Santosh Dutta. On that sombre morning in 1988, Ray declared that without his beloved Jatayu, he would never make Feluda again. Yet, Dutta's legacy continues to shimmer even now. At a centenary celebration organised by RC Calcutta East Central and Amader Proyas of Amherst Row, his grandson P Raaj shared a heartfelt plea he wants to make to the mayor, hoping to rename the road to Santosh Dutta Sarani, ensuring his stories would forever echo through the street.
Jyotish Roy, who has been an executive producer since 1963, donated Dutta's bust on behalf of his Rotary Club that was unveiled by filmmaker Sandip Ray, District Governor 3291 Rotarian Ramendu Home Chowdhury on Tuesday. Instead of branding Dutta as a "comedian", Ray said he wants to remember him as a "great character actor" who excelled in different roles. "His portrayal of Jatayu in ‘Sonar Kella' was so impactful that my father had to change Jatayu's illustration after that."
Roy reminisced about Dutta's effortless execution of complex scenes. "I was present during the shooting of 'Joy Baba Felunath' and 'Ogo Bodhu Sundori'. Watching him transform from a criminal lawyer to a comedic genius was incredible. The famous knife scene in 'Joy Baba Felunath' was shot using a reverse technique. Initially, Santosh-da was apprehensive, but it went smoothly after a few takes. In 'Ogo Bodhu Sundori', Santosh-da, who played Abalakanta, needed to drive a car, a skill he lacked. He requested a small car, which I promptly arranged," Roy shared.
Though Dutta never fancied a career as an actor as a child, there are stories of how he loved standing in front of a mirror at his Amherst Row home and reciting monologues with fervour. Despite being down-to-earth, Dutta never joined the para adda sessions. Neighbours often spotted Soumitra Chatterjee, Rabi Ghosh, and Tapen Chatterjee at his residence. A diehard Mohunbagan fan, Dutta would dash from the courtroom to the stadium before heading home. "My husband was bereaved at a very young age and it was he who helped him in every which way," said Leena Dutta, who lives in the neighbourhood.
Arjuna award-winner Malay Roy, who was Dutta's co-star in ‘Joi Baba Felunath' as bodybuilder Gunamoy Bagchi, shared fond memories of Dutta's inspiration and receiving guidance to deliver his lines better.
Dutta's son-in-law, Pratap Pramanik, described him as a true "liberal". "I met his daughter at a family picnic in '66, and during our courtship, he preferred we meet at his house rather than roam the streets. After marriage, we often joined him on film sets of ‘Morjina Abdullah', ‘Ogo Bodhu Sundori' and ‘Gopal Bhar'. When asked how he balanced law and film, he called it his 'trade secret'."
Pranab Kumar Ghosh reminisced about a childhood memory involving Dutta. "During a local cricket match, some youths from our area got into trouble with someone who took the matter to court. Some were even arrested. When we informed him about the incident, he smiled and reassured us, saying the case had no merit. It was simply a 'suitcase,'" Ghosh recalled. Another neighbour, Amal Ghosh, shared details about Dutta's early career in banking, his passion for theatre, and how he initially took on female roles to hone his craft. As a student at Vidyasagar College, Dutta portrayed a series of unforgettable female characters, including Tandra in "Maatir Ghar," Jahanara in "Shah Jahan," Bindu in "Bindur Chhele," and Helen in "Chandragupta." "My husband was overwhelmed when he watched him perform in 'Shah Jahan'," said Ranjana Ghosh.
The most popular story shared revolved around Dutta's legendary experience before filming the intense knife scene in "Joy Baba Felunath." Each knife weighed a hefty 2.5 kg, and the responsibility of executing the scene fell to actor Kamu Mukherjee. The night before shooting, he discovered some unpaid insurance premiums and insufficient savings. In desperation, he wanted to know about his longevity from actor and renowned astrologer Dipankar De. After seven failed attempts, his wife pointed out that he mistakenly dialled his own number in his frazzled state!
On the day of the shoot, he left home telling his wife he wasn't sure he'd return alive. But he did, and the rest is history.