Chennai: Popular Tamil film actor Rajinikanth was conferred with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award by the Union government today
for his outstanding contributions to the Indian cinema.
Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu presented the award to Rajinikanth at the National film awards presentation function held in New Delhi.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajinikanth said he dedicated this award to hisĀ mentor and late director K Balachander, to the producers, directors, film
fraternity and his fans. He expressed his gratitude to the people of Tamilnadu, his elder brother Sathyanarayana Gaikwad and his friend Raj Bahadur.
Tamilnadu Governor R N Ravi, Chief Minister M K Stalin and leaders cutting across party lines congratulated the actor for being conferred with the prestigious honour.
In a letter to Rajinikanth, the Governor said ‘I, on behalf of the fellow citizens of India and my behalf, congratulate you on being decorated with the Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest and rarest recognition for outstanding contribution to the Indian cinema’.
‘It is a day of immense joy for all cine-lovers. You, besides your stupendous
contribution to the Indian Cinema, have inspired the youth of the country through your exemplary conduct in professional, public and personal life’, the Governor said.
‘My best wishes and prayers for your long and healthy lif’e, Ravi said, according to a Raj Bhavan communique.
Stalin took to twitter to congratulate the actor for bagging the highest award in Indian cinema.
‘My heart congratulations to my best friend superstar Rajinikanth for beingĀ conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke award’, he said. Stalin also wished the actor to take the Tamil film fraternity to the next level and win many more awards globally.
Actors Dhanush and Vijay Sethupathi and Tamil film producer Kalaipuli S Thanu received National Awards today at the same event.