Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee received the Legion of Honour, the highest French civilian award on Tuesday.
Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler conferred the insignia of Knight of the Legion of Honour (Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur), on Soumitra Chatterjee for his contribution to cinema.
“It is an honour and privilege to confer on you the highest French civilian award. You are the most famous and respected Bengali actor in the world. You along with Satyajit Ray are the greatest actor-director duo of the world. France loves you as much as you love France,” Alexandre Ziegler said before conferring the 83-year-old with Legion of Honour.
“I don’t know what to say. All I can say is that I am honoured and privileged and this particular evening is so overwhelming. As long as I live I will remember this evening and carry this honour in my heart. I don’t know what I have done to deserve this but I will honour it throughout my life and I pledge to do as much as I can to enhance it,” Soumitra Chatterjee said after receiving the award.