New Delhi: Veteran Bengali actor Soumitra Chatterjee will receive the 2011 Dada Saheb Phalke Award for lifetime contribution to cinema. Chatterjee, 77, who has won a National Award in 2008 for his film ‘Podokkhep’, is an iconic actor in Bengali cinema with a career spanning over half a century.

He has worked alongside most of the stalwarts of the industry, including legendary actor Uttam Kumar, and some of the best directors of the country.

His best work includes films with honorary Academy Award winning director Satyajit Ray and Tapan Sinha. Apur Sansar, Devi, Teen Kanya, Abhijan, Ashani Sanket, Sonar Kella and Joy Baba Felunath are some of the films he shot with Ray.

“This award means a lot to me. I am grateful to my viewers,” Chatterjee said on Wednesday.

The Dada Saheb Phalke Award is the highest honour in Indian cinema given annually by the Government of India for lifetime contribution.