Ayesha Bhattacharya remembers late veteran artist Shubhomoy Chatterjee; says, “His warmth helped me get over my nervousness and perform well"

The news of senior artist

Shubhomoy Chatterjee

’s demise has left

Tollywood

deeply saddened. The actor, who essayed legendary singer-music composer

Pankaj Kumar Mullick

’s character in the movie ‘

Mahalaya

’, breathed his last this morning (June 14) battling cancer.

'Natural actor' and a 'good human being', that’s how Tollywood remembers Shubhomoy, who was known for his affable nature. Actress

Ayesha Bhattacharya

, who shared the screen with the senior actor in TV show ‘

Khona

’, is deeply shattered by the news. She says, “I couldn’t believe myself when I heard the news. I am still in deep shock.”

Ayesha was in class VIII, when she got the lead role in the TV show ‘Khona’. “Shubho uncle used to essay Raj Purohit’s character in the show. I still remember the first day I had met him on the shooting set. It was my first project as a female lead and I was very much nervous. When I saw Shubho uncle, who was playing a negative role, I was a bit afraid. I was supposed to shoot an important scene with him. He was quiet on the sets and I mistook him as an angry person (laughs). I was afraid to shoot the scene. He somehow realised my dilemma and spoke with me affectionately. Within a few minutes, he made me feel comfortable, ” Ayesha remembers. The show, featuring an ensemble cast, was aired on a prime Bengali TV channel.

Throwback photos from the show featuring

Shubhomoy

and Ayesha as Raaj Purohit and Khona:

“His warm behaviour helped me get over my nervousness and perform well in front of the camera. There was no looking back for us. Shubho uncle used to visit the makeup room and chat with us. He shared a very good relationship with my mom as well,” remembers the actress, who is set to make her movie debut soon.

Ayesha spoke about Shubhomoy’s grounded nature. “Shubho uncle never made me realise that he is a senior artist. He was down to earth and always greeted us with a warm smile. He taught me how to play negative characters in a subtle way without making it loud,” says the actress. She took a small pause and added, “He was a brilliant actor and equally wonderful human being. It is a great loss for all of us.”