Veteran actor Soumitra Chatterjee's health condition remains critical

"His consciousness is slightly down compared to previous 48 hours. Not very sure which way he was heading to. We have received reports of tests and we can deduce that the Covid encephalopathy is progressing," Dr Kar said.

The veteran actor who carved a niche for himself for his astounding role as "Feluda" in Oscar winning Director Satyajit Ray's movies was hospitalised on Oct 6 with Covid-19 positive.

On October 14, the legendary actor had tested negative for Covid-19.

The health condition of the thespian also improved, doctors attending on him had then said, adding that he had no fever though was in an “acute confusional state” since October 13.

His health parametres, including cardiac function, blood pressure, respiration and urine output, were also improving, hospital sources had said.

Chatterjee, who had started his career in the All India Radio (AIR) as an announcer, made his film debut with Ray's Apur Sansar, which was the third part of Apu trilogy.

Following Apur Sansar, he went on to act in Ray masterpieces like Abhijan, Charulata, Aranyer Din Ratri, Sonar Kella, Joi Baba Felunath, Ghare Baire and Jhinder Bandi.

Chatterjee, who had created his own fan following along with critical acclaim and international recognition, was a hero in many films during a golden period of Bengali cinema in the 1960s and 70s, when his contempoary was late matinee idol  Uttam Kumar.

Decades since making his debut, Chatterjee till his last days was relevant as the only surviving Bengali screen icon, with his prolific portrayals in countless commercial and arthouse films.

Some of his recent films which have been widely appreciated are Bela Seshe, Posto, Mayurakshi, Sanjhbati, Basu Poribar, et al.

After months of anti-Covid-19 lockdown, Chattopadhyay had in July resumed shooting for actor-filmmaker Parambrata Chattopadhyay's Abhijaan.

Chatterjee was conferred the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in cinema given by the Indian government, in 2012.

He had won two national awards and was in 2004 conferred Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian award in India.

Chatterjee was also the first Indian film personality on whom France had conferred the Legion of Honour, the highest French civilian award, in 2018, for his contribution to cinema.