For Richard Attenborough, Satyajit Ray was Manik da

Cinematographer of Shatranj Ke Khilari, Soumendu Roy, on working with the legend
In May 1977, when Richard Attenborough came to Kolkata to shoot for Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari, many unit members were petrified. That was not as much about accommodating an actor of his stature as about interacting with a saheb. As Attenborough breathed his last on Sunday , cinematographer of the Ray classic, Soumendu Roy , relived some memories for CT.���Manikda (Ray) was very particular about the research that went into his films. Shatranj Ke Khilari was being mounted on a huge scale and he went to London and visited the British Museum before planning the costumes. As far as I know, he met Attenborough on that trip and they developed a bond," said Soumendu.
By the time Ray got acquainted with Attenborough, he was famous not only in Britain, but also in Hollywood. He played the detective in Agatha Christie's play, The Mousetrap, and was a name to reckon with. In 1963, his H'wood breakthrough came with The Great Escape.
He also won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor in consecutive years ��� The Sand Pebbles (1966) and Doctor Dolittle (1967). ���We were very worried about interacting with a saheb. My English was poor back then and I wasn't alone. But our perception changed when he started shooting at Indrapuri in Tollygunge.Seeing me set up the lights one day , he said he was ready to wait even if it took hours. He was extremely dedicated," recalled the cinematographer.
A Munshi Premchand story set in the backdrop of the 1857 uprising, Shatranj Ke Khilari shows Nawab Wajid Ali Shah and two eccentric noblemen who indulge in chess round the clock, without any regard for the imminent British threat. Attenborough played General James Outram, who is sent on a secret mission to clear the way for annexation. ���We were shooting in the peak of summer and his clothes were heavy , but never for once did Attenborough complain. He didn't even say that it was hot or humid or uncomfortable. But to make it easier for him, he was given an AC makeup room. That too was not something he had asked for," said Soumendu.
Attenborough would live in character and that made him keep to himself for the majority of the shoot. ���He would spend the day shooting and head straight to the hotel after pack-up. I'm not too sure if he explored Kolkata much, as we could never muster the courage to ask him that. But he was very fond of the technicians and gifted money to many before leaving," said Soumendu.
So, how was the camaraderie between the master director and his actor? ���He used to address Satyajit Ray as Manikda and was extremely nice to all of us. He was an obedient actor," he added. Even when Attenborough went on to make Gandhi in 1982 and became a part of history , the director and his Manikda continued to share an enviable bond that endured for life.