For the legendary Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, age seems to be only a number as he continues to inspire the young and old with his never-ending desire to work, perform, and deliver something better than his previous outing.
And at the 69th National Film Awards, which were declared on August 23, 2023, Bhattacharjee just proved why he is an inspiration to actors and other performing artists from across generations.
For his impeccable work as a voice-over artist for the award-winning documentary Hati Bondhu, the legendary actor was awarded the award for Best Narration/Voice Over at the awards.
Directed by National Award-winning filmmaker Kripal Kalita, the documentary brought laurels to Assam by emerging as the state’s only selection in the Indian Panorama section of the 53rd International Film Festival of India (IFFI), held from November 20 to November 28, 2022, in Goa.
"Film critics, film historians, and film aficionados in my friend list: is Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee, at 90, the oldest ever to win the #NationalFilmAward? I guess he might be. For the veteran stage-screen-radio artiste, age is just a number, as he is still actively acting in Assamese films and OTT series," eminent filmmaker Utapl Borpujari shared in a social media post after the winners' list was declared.
Bhattacharjee is among the very few from Assam to have taken professional training in theatre abroad.
He also won the Best Actor award at the Prag Cine Awards in 2022 for his stellar performance in the Sourav Baishya-directed Khyonachar.
The actor will also be seen in Baishya's next directorial venture Postcard.
Thanking the actor post the completion of the shooting fo the film, Baishya in a social media post said, "Despite many obstacles, the shooting of Postcard is finally over."
"At the age of 90, Kulada Kumar Bhattacharjee explained that age is just a number. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you again and for giving me the opportunity to learn what professionalism is, what punctuality is, and how deeply you can think and work hard for a character," he added.
"I am eternally grateful to have you as a member of our family once again," Baishya further said i the post.
Team The Story Mug congratulates the legendary actor for the award, and we also wish him good health and may he continue to inspire the ages to come.
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