Following in the footsteps of film-maker Goutam Ghosh who has refused to accept the National Award for best Bengali film Dekha, thespian Soumitra Chatterjee on Friday spurned the special jury award for his role of a blind poet in the film.

For me the award is meaningless and I don`t believe in portraying characters for getting awards. It is the appreciation of people which counts", 68-year-old Chatterjee, who made his debut in Satyajit Ray`s Apur Sansar, said. “I have been aware of the lobbying surrounding the National Film Awards”, he added Asked whether he had intimated his decision to the information and broadcasting ministry, Chatterjee shot back, “Why should I? Let them officially communicate to me and I will give a formal response.” Chatterjee said, “I did not get any such award in India in the past and I have been always opposed the practice of receiving such awards.”

Gautam Ghosh had termed the National Film Awards as `farcical` with reports indicating that the names of some winners had been decided before the official declaration. “I don`t want my film to be clubbed with an award tainted with controversies,” Ghosh said. Bureau Report