An archive photo of Soumitra Chatterjee from the fan club (courtesy soumitrachattopadhyayo)
Strong points
- “There are points to be feared”, said the doctor
- Soumitra Chatterjee tested negative for COVID-19 a few weeks ago
- He was admitted to hospital on October 6 after testing positive
New Delhi:
Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee, who was admitted to the Belle Vue Clinic in Calcutta for the past 19 days, has stopped responding to treatment, reports the PTI news agency. Sharing the update on the actor’s health, Arindam Kar, who heads a team of doctors treating thespian, said the medical team is expected to make some important and difficult decisions in the coming days. The doctor said that the thespian’s level of consciousness as well as his kinetic movements have decreased in recent days. “His consciousness is a bit lower from the past 72 hours. I’m not sure which direction he’s heading. We have received test reports and we can infer that COVID encephalopathy is progressing,” Arindam said. Kar, citing the PTI.
Soumitra Chatterjee the lungs, blood pressure, heart and kidneys are functioning well, however, his platelet count has dropped and the level of urea and sodium in his blood has increased, the doctor said. “Despite the use of steroids and other prolonged efforts, he does not respond to treatment,” said Arindam Kar
Speaking of the 85-year-old actor’s health complications, the doctor said, “Although his lungs and blood pressure are still working well, there are things to worry about. His platelet count has gone down. We are trying to find out. “We will take tough calls tomorrow. We are doing our best. But sometimes the best effort is not enough for someone who suffers from this disease at their age,” he added.
Soumitra Chatterjee was admitted to hospital on October 6 after having tested positive for the virus the day before. The actor tested negative for COVID-19 a few weeks ago.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient Soumitra Chatterjee, during his six-decade film career, has starred in some of the best Bengali films like Apur Sansar, the latest in the Apu trilogy, and Sakha Prasakha. He has also starred in a number of films by iconic filmmakers like Mrinal Sen, Tapan Sinha. He made his debut in the 1959 Satyajit Ray film Apur Sansar. The iconic duo have made 14 films together, some of which Charulata, Devi, Teen Kanya, Ghare Baire, and Ganashatru to name a few.
(With contributions from the PTI press agency)
