51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award Given To Rajinikanth

Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar today announced the recipient of the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

The award for 2019 will be conferred to legendary actor Rajinikanth. It will be presented on May 3, along with the National Film Awards.

Announcing the award in New Delhi, Javadekar said that the choice was unanimously made by the members of the Jury, which consisted of songstress Asha Bhonsle, film actors Mohanlal and Biswajit Chatterjee, music director and singer Shankar Mahadevan, and film director Subhash Ghai, and was then accepted by the Centre.

Speaking on the achievements of the legendary actor, the Minister said, "Rajinikanth ji is an iconic actor who has ruled the hearts of Indians for over fifty years now. I congratulate him on winning the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award."

Many other eminent personalities also extended their wishes to Rajinikanth following the announcement.

Among them was Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who expressed his appreciation for the Centre for recognising and honouring the actor with the coveted award.

In a statement, KCR said, "Rajanikanth, who evolved a unique acting style of his own, has crores of fans in the country and all over the globe. It is befitting that he has been selected for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award. I congratulate him on this great achievement."

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Jagan Mohan Reddy too congratulated the megastar, and appreciated the latter's contribution to Indian film.

"The acclaimed actor has made a profound impact on the silver screen with his inimitable mannerisms and spell-binding performances. I am extremely happy that his contribution to the silver screen is being recognised through such a remarkable honour," Jagan said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and famed actors Pawan Kalyan and Mahesh Babu conveyed their wishes to Thalaiva on the happy occasion as well.

Responding to the PM's wishes, the actor took to Twitter and expressed his happiness at being chosen for the award. His tweet reads, "Immensely humbled and honoured with your greetings and the most prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward respected and dearest Shri @narendramodi ji. My heartfelt thanks to you and the government of India (sic)."