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Mrinal Sen felicitated at IFFI

PANAJI: Film-maker Mrinal Sen was felicitated at the International Film Festival of India here on Wednesday. Goa Chief Minister Digambar Kamat felicitated the national award winner at a brief function here before the screening of Kannada film Gulabi Talkies.

Besides a cash prize of Rs.51,000 and a shawl, Sen was given a citation hailing his contribution to cinema. Presenting the citation, the Chief Minister called him a “creative genius” whose “landmark cinema has inspired a generation of film-makers.”

Sporting the shawl that he got for the Dadasaheb Phalke award, Sen, in his brief address said: “For more than 10 years now I have been receiving lifetime achievement awards. I hope it is the last because otherwise I would feel quite uncomfortable.”

Expressing “tremendous joy, a real delight” at receiving the award, 85-year-old Sen said: “I feel a bit uncomfortable too receiving this award because when I look back at my films I wish they were a dress rehearsal and I could do them better next time. I am very happy to get the award but quite sad that I could not do more.”

Mr. Kamat called it “an honour” for all film-lovers that Sen had agreed to receive the award. Fellow Dadasaheb Phalke award winner Shyam Benegal called Sen’s felicitation “a deserving tribute.”

“It is absolutely wonderful, really marvellous. I am so pleased that Sen has got this honour. I wish him many more productive years ahead,” Benegal said.

Speaking ahead of the presentation, Sen, who was born in Faridpur (now in Bangladesh), expressed unhappiness over terms like ‘Indian cinema.’

“I feel comfortable with cinemas in India,” he said and rued that the days of all-India hits were over. Bhuvan Shome, Raatbhor, Khandar and Ek Din Achanak are among his memorable films.

Other artistes like K. Balachander and Dev Anand are also to be felicitated at the festival.

National award winner and Kannada film-maker Girish Kasaravalli, who has directed Gulabi Talkies, expressed happiness at Sen getting the award. “He is a legend,” Kasaravalli said.