Megastar Rajinikanth to get Dada Saheb Phalke award
New Delhi: Megastar Rajinikanth to get the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar announced on Thursday.
The announcement comes days ahead of the April 6 Assembly polls in Tamil Nadu where the 70-year-old Rajinikanth resides and has a massive following among the people.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema’s highest honour for an artiste, for the year 2019, will be presented to Rajinikanth on May 3.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed Rajinikanth for his contribution to cinema while congratulating him on the honour.
“Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality…that’s Shri @rajinikanth Ji for you. It is a matter of immense joy that Thalaiva has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Congratulations to him,” Modi said in a tweet.
Replying to the PM, the actor tweeted, “Immensely humbled and honoured with your greetings and the most prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward award respected and dearest Shri @narendramodiji. My heartfelt thanks to you and the government of india.”
The superstar dedicated his award to people who have been a part of his journey.
“My heartfelt thanks to the government of india, respected & dearest @narendramodi ji, @PrakashJavdekar ji and the jury for conferring upon me the prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward I sincerely dedicate it to all those who have been a part of my journey. Thanks to the almighty,” he tweeted.
Announcing the award for Rajinikanth, Javadejkar said, “India every year gives Dadasaheb Phalke award to a film personality. This year this selection has been made by a jury comprising Asha Bhonsle, Mohanlal, Biswajit Chatterjee, Shankar Mahadevan and Subhash Ghai.”
“They unanimously recommended that superstar Rajinikanth be conferred with Dadasaheb Phalke award and we accepted it,” he said.
For about 50 years, Rajinikanth has been the “uncrowned king” of the film world, Javadekar said, hailing the superstar.
“He (Rajinikanth) has been shining like the sun in the film world. He has created a space in the hearts of the people through his talent, hard work and diligence,” he said.
The information and Broadcasting minister expressed confidence that the country will be delighted on Rajinikanth being bestowed with this honour.
He said the award will be presented to Rajinikanth on May 3 along with the National Film Awards.