Soumitra to receive Legion d'Honneur

Thespian Soumitra Chatterjee has been conferred with the highest French civlian honour, the Legion d'Honneur. "I am happy and it is a great honour. I got the letter from the French Embassy yesterday (Friday) and they said they will be coming over here to give me the award.

I communicated to them that we will decide on a mutually convenient date," Chatterjee said. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Banerjee in a series of tweets said: "From Apu Sansar to Legion d Honour. The legendary Shri Soumitra Chattopadhay, hallmark of Indian and Bengali cinema.

A tribute and honour to the great actor of Bengali cinema by France. This makes us very proud. Congratulations". The 82-year-old veteran actor, who is getting the honour 30 years after legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray had received the same, said, "No comparisons can be drawn between me and Manikda (as Ray is fondly called by his followers). He is a titan and I am nowhere near him. But yes it makes me happy that I am also getting the same honour," he added.