Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee won India's highest honour
in cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke award, for his contribution to Indian and
Bengali cinema.
The 77-year-old Chatterjee is best known for his exemplary performances in Satyajit Ray films in 60s and 70s. He was one of the shining stars in the sky of Bengali cinema after he made his debut in Ray's 'Apur Sansar' in 1959.
The prestigious award was conferred to the legendary actor on Wednesday. Chatterjee was overwhelmed while receiving the award and expressed his gratefulness to all his fans and viewers.
He was honoured with a Swarna Kamal medallion, cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a shawl.
Earlier, the actor had dragged media attention for turning down the Padma Shri award in 70s and protested the information and broadcasting ministry for its bias towards commercial cinema at the National Awards. Even he had rejected a special jury National Award for Best Actor in 2001.
Chatterjee was honoured with the Padma Bhushan award in 2004. He had received the National Award only once in 2008 for the Bengali film 'Podokkhep'.
The living legend was also honoured with the Officier des Arts et Metiers - the highest French award for arts. Inspired by the personality of the veteran, French filmmaker Catherine Berge had also made a documentary titled Gaach (Tree) about his life.
Chatterjee was highly appreciated for his performances in Ray's films 'Apur Sansar', 'Charulata', 'Teen Kanya', 'Devi', 'Abhijaan', 'Aranyer Din Ratri', 'Ghare Baire', 'Ganashatru' and 'Shakha Proshakha'.
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