Is Soumitra Chatterjee a star or just an actor? Dhritiman Chatterjee, another find of Satyajit Ray said the 77-year-old actor never became a star and that too deliberately. Olympian football player Chuni Goswami felt he was a fighter.

The man himself said he was embarrassed by praises, particularly since he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award a few weeks ago.

At a felicitation function on Thursday, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry, Soumitra chose not to talk about his “outstanding contribution to the growth of Indian cinema”. “The good words showered on me now are making me awkward”.

Soumitra, who quintessentially represented Bengali sensibility, said he does not want to lose his focus – the acting. “I have always been loved and indulged by people.

“I would continue to return this admiration through my work as long as I can”.

An array of celebrities from various walks of life attended the felicitation. Many shared slices of their experiences about the living legend.

While historian Bharti Devi threw light on Soumitra's college days at the university, actor Dhritiman Chatterji termed him as the most accessible and approachable hero of all times without any starry tantrums.

Chuni Goswami saluted the fighting spirit of Soumitra while P.K. Banerjee shared several anecdotes on their long friendship of 55 years revealing Soumitra as a good sportsman in his younger days possessing a strong sportsmanship spirit.

Theatre personality and actor Koushik Sen threw light on the passion actor's holds for theatre.

Soumitra thanked everyone for the appreciation.

He considers the love affection and appreciation of the people the most greatest award of his life. He recited of the famous lines of the poem by Michael Madhusudan Dutt “ Jonmile Ke Morite Chae.”

jayanta_mallick@thehindu.co.in

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