Every Bengali actor dreams of working in a Satyajit Ray film. For Saswata Chatterjee, that dream almost came true until an unexpected turn took it away.

Saswata Reveals He Was Almost Cast by Satyajit Ray as a Child

In a recent interview that went viral from the Sharmila Show House, Saswata Chatterjee revealed that as a child, he had been chosen to act in Satyajit Ray’s classic film Joy Baba Felunath. He was to play the role of the little boy Ruku. However, the opportunity slipped through his hands because of his mother.

Missed Opportunity: Why Saswata Couldn’t Be in Ray’s Classic Film

Saswata recalled, 'My mother didn’t want me to miss school or get involved in films at such a young age. She even cut all my hair just before I was supposed to meet Satyajit Ray.'

The next day, Saswata’s father took him to meet Ray. Upon seeing the haircut, the legendary filmmaker exclaimed, 'What have you done? This is completely ridiculous.' When Saswata’s father explained the situation, Ray gently replied, 'Okay, no problem. But I can’t wait any longer. I’ll have to find someone else.'

The role eventually went to Jeet Bose. Joy Baba Felunath was released in 1979 with a stellar cast, but for Saswata, it remains the one that got away.