SHILLONG: Acclaimed actor Victor Banerjee, who has acted extensively in Bengali, Hindi, English and Assamese films, on Thursday attended the closing ceremony of the centenary sports of St. Edmund’s School, his alma mater.
In a candid interview to The Shillong Times, Banerjee recalled his visits to Shillong and spoke on why the hill city was still special for him.
“Whenever I come to Shillong, I make it a point to visit my school,” he said.
Asked if he noticed any change in the scenario in Shillong, he said, “I have to accept that change is inevitable…people back then will cry if they see the Shillong of today and the people of today will be delighted to see a more beautiful place than ever.”
“What I found awful may be lovely to others, there are people who come to Shillong and they tell me that it’s a beautiful place and I cannot tell that it used to be. There is some beauty in Shillong that it can never lose,” he said.
Asked if Shillong has lost its beauty in comparison with the bygone days, he said, “A thing of beauty is a joy forever; blemishes do happen but it cannot take away the beauty of it.”
“The beauty of Shillong is in the spirit of Shillong and the spirit cannot be changed. The place has produced the Shillong Chamber Choir and many more. This place has various talents,” he added.
He reminisced about football crazy Shillong back in his days. “Shillong Lajong has entered the semi-finals of the Federation Cup; people have talents in acting, singing and dancing.”
Speaking on his acting backgrounds and how he feels on being a National Award winner, he said, “I do not subscribe to awards and they are not a measure of talent or achievement. We should not feel proud or boast about awards.”
Banerjee lauded the display of discipline by the school students on Thursday, describing it as outstanding.
