Entertainment

IIE DIGITAL: Actor Abir Chatterjee chose honesty over grand words while paying tribute to Sohag Sen during her 80th birthday celebration. Speaking about the veteran actor, he said his relationship with her has always been rooted in admiration and respect rather than fear.

Abir recalled that they first got to know each other during an acting workshop held ahead of the film Hrid Majhare. He confessed that there was a time when he was doubtful about the value of acting workshops and usually stayed away from them. Joining Sohag Sen's session, however, completely changed that perspective. What began with hesitation soon became an opportunity to learn from someone he now considers one of the most important influences in his career.

Reflecting on those days, Abir said it is for audiences to decide whether he became a better actor because of her guidance, but there is no question that she helped him grow as a person. According to him, Sohag Sen has always gone beyond the role of a teacher, becoming a mentor and a guardian whose encouragement has stayed with him over the years.

Bringing a smile to the audience, Abir remarked that while every actor is bound to be scolded by seniors, only a few people possess the warmth that makes such moments feel like valuable lessons instead of criticism. Sohag Sen, he said, is one of those rare personalities. He added jokingly that he was lucky not to have faced too many of her reprimands, a comment that drew laughter from the gathering, including Sohag Sen herself.

He ended his tribute with a thoughtful observation, saying that although people today rarely hesitate to express affection, those who genuinely earn respect are far fewer. For Abir, Sohag Sen belongs to that exceptional group whose work, character and generosity continue to inspire everyone around her.