Rahul Bose

Clearly the most dapper of the lot, the “cerebral celebrity” got awarded for his contribution to cinema. Tollywood’s leading man Prosenjit gave him the trophy, while show hostess Swastika Mukherjee cheered them on. “What do you want to be known as — a rugby player or an actor?” asked STAR Ananda’s Suman De. “I am a slightly better actor than I am a player,” said Rahul, in a black suit teamed with a crisp white shirt.

Ronen Sen

The diplomat was a picture of modesty as he stepped on the red and yellow stage of the Science City auditorium to receive the big one — the Sherar Shera award. Dressed in a black suit, Sen was presented the award by Aveek Sarkar, chief editor of the ABP Group. The “crisis man” of India’s foreign service said: “This is totally unexpected. When Aveekbabu called me a couple of days back and asked me whether I was coming to Calcutta, I said yes. Then he said, ‘Okay, now I have something to say. Should I call it a proposal, a request or a demand?’ I told him he could make a demand. He then asked me to come over for a function. But this honour is a total surprise.... I have been to many places and functions but never have I been made to feel so special.... Thank you.” Before leaving the stage Sen also shared the most challenging moment of his career — “When Soviet Russia fell apart, I was the Indian ambassador and that was my most challenging experience.”

Ketaki Kushari Dyson

The celebrated poet, author and translator Ketaki Kushari Dyson displayed her trademark wit, as she received the award from author Shirshendu Mukhopadhyay. “What if someone writes you a letter and spells your name incorrectly?” asked Suman De. “I won’t reply to the letter very quickly,” she shot back with a smile.

Shantanu Moitra

The Parineeta and Antaheen man was handed over the glistening trophy by star Bengali singer, Abhijeet. And if one could read his lips, the Lokhandwala singer asked anchors Suman De and Swastika Mukherjee: “Aami kobe paabo? (When will I get it?).” Dressed in a fitted black tee and denims, Moitra had a rather witty answer to De’s question: “Don’t you want to make movies too?” Moitra smiled: “If I make movies, I’ll never hire a music director as they think too much of themselves and charge very high remuneration. So, there will be no music in the movie!”

Paoli Dam

The Kalbela star was the Fresh Face of the year. Dressed in a lovely red and white ikkat teamed with a maroon antique gold tie-up blouse, the would-be international star (she will feature in Italo Spinelli’s film Choli Ke Peechhe) was excited. “I am happy to be part of an international project, though I derive satisfaction from working in Bengali films because that’s where my roots are,” said the dusky beauty who received the award from singer Shreya Ghoshal. “I have no inhibitions as an actress,” she stressed.

Soumitra Chatterjee

The veteran actor received the Lifetime Achievement award from filmmaker Mrinal Sen. “It’s for you, the audience, that I am working for 50 years now. You have not only tolerated me but also inspired me and urged me on by showering me with so much love and affection. I hope that this is passed on to the next generation of actors too,” smiled Satyajit Ray’s chosen hero.

Jhulan Goswami

Veteran footballer (and no mean cricketer) Chuni Goswami gave away the trophy to Jhulan Goswami, the lanky fast bowler and captain of the Indian women’s cricket team. Dressed in a purple jacket and black trousers, the “Nadia Express” perhaps got the maximum applause. “Greg Chappell ke deke aar ashanti barate chai na,” was her reply to the question: “Will you ever have Greg Chappell coach your team?” And the whole Science City auditorium broke out in laughter.

Abir Karmakar

Young artist Abir Karmakar from Siliguri was the chosen one this year. “Have you noticed that your name has all the colours?” he was asked. “I have tried to justify my name,” answered Abir, who received the award from Dipali Bhattacharya, his teacher at the Government Art College.

Sumit Banerjee

The IIT Kharagpur alumnus, now the managing director of ACC Ltd, received his award from industrialist G.P. Goenka. “Don’t you feel the Bengali language is now down in the dumps?” he was asked. “Every language has gone for a toss, but Bengali is in a much better position,” Banerjee smiled to loud applause.

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Abhijeet took the stage for a good half-an-hour belting out hit numbers like Chaand taare tor lau and Main koi aisa geet gau from Yes Boss to tracks from Gangster, Chalte Chalte, Billu and Khiladi.

 

 

 

After the opening act with Rituparna Sengupta, Hiran reappeared as the last performer of the evening to pay tribute to Michael Jackson. Choreographed by the actor himself, the act saw the dimpled hero enter the stage in a wooden coffin to start his performance with Aa dekhe zara. He donned the trademark Jackson black cap, did some shadow dancing and tried moonwalking too! With the crowd cheering him on, the Tolly hero ended the show with Main khatam toh khel khatam!

 

 

 

Singing along with the crowd was Shreya’s mantra for the evening, insisting that the audience join the fun. “Calcutta is the best place to perform, where else would I get such an audience who sing along with me throughout?” chirped the Bong beauty before crooning Aami je tomar from Bhool Bhulaiyaa, songs from Jab We Met, Antaheen, Khakee and Parineeta’s Piya bole…. The finale? Dhum tana from Om Shanti Om with Abhijeet.

 

 

 

TV star Ushasie joins veteran singer Usha Uthup at the party. “I couldn’t make it for the Awards Ceremony as I was shooting,” smiled Ushasie

 

 

 

 

Dressed casually in denims and a blue top, model-turned-actress Dipannita dropped in at the party for five minutes only! “It was my brother-in-law’s birthday party so I was in a rush,” she smiled

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Australian hottie Emma Brown was in town to wrap up her first Bengali film Shukno Lanka. “I am sorry I missed the Science City show, but the party is great and I got to meet so many people this time,” she chirped

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actress Churni and her filmmaker husband Kaushik Ganguly walked into Science City auditorium post-9pm along with son Ujaan. “We missed the Shera Bangali awards but quite liked Abhijeet’s and Hiran’s performances,” smiled Churni at the party

 

 

 

 

 

Singer Emon Chatterjee cheered from his seat while mentor Abhijeet sang one hit number after the other at Science City. He stayed on late at the party afterwards