New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, one of the most influential actors of his generation, was Tuesday named the Dadasaheb Phalke award recipient for the year 2018 for his contribution to the Indian film industry. The award comes in a year when 76-year-old Bachchan completes 50 years as an actor.
The award, named after the father of Indian cinema, Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, was instituted in 1969, the year Amitabh Bachchan made his debut in Hindi film industry.
Considered the highest honour for an artiste in Indian cinema, the award comprises a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 10,00,000.
In a career spanning five decades, Bachchan has stayed at the top, surprising fans with memorable performances film after film.
Amitabh Bachchan started his cinema journey as a voice-over artiste for Mrinal Sen’s film ‘Bhuvan Shome’ and made his debut as an actor with ‘Saat Hindustani’ though the film was not a box office success. It took Bachchan a dozen flops to finally break into the film industry as a lead hero with Prakash Mehra’s action film ‘Zanjeer’.
It should also be stated here that the government honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1984, the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015 for his contributions to the arts.
Congratulations poured in from the film industry after Bachchan was announced as the recipient.
“As a Dadasaheb Phalke Award Jury Member, I am pleased to congratulate Shri Amitabh Bachchanji on his getting this Prestigious Award,” singer Asha Bhosle tweeted.
Big B’s son, Abhishek Bachchan said he was overjoyed and proud of his father. He took to Twitter to express his joy. “Overjoyed and so, so proud! #ProudSon (sic).”
Filmmaker Karan Johar said he was proud to be in the era of Bachchan. “The most inspiring legend of Indian Cinema!!!! He is a bonafide rock star!!! I am honoured and proud to be in the Era of AMITABH BACHCHAN! The prestigious #DadaSahebPhalkeAward to @SrBachchan,” tweeted Karan Johar.
Anil Kapoor said Amitabh Bachchan has ‘redefined cinema’ with every role and deserves every accolade for his innumerable contributions.
Bachchan’s ‘Pink’ and ‘Badla’ co-star Taapsee Pannu said that the legendary actor ‘truly deserves all honours possible concerning Indian cinema’.
Filmmaker R Balki, who has collaborated with Bachchan on many films, said, “Amitabh Bachchan will be the first person to win a best actor award after winning the Dada Saheb Phalke award.”
Politicians and Union ministers also took to Twitter to wish the great Amitabh Bachchan.
Union Home Minister and BJP president Amit Shah said the award was ‘a befitting tribute’ to the legend. “Mr Amitabh Bachchan’s contribution to Indian cinema cannot be put in words. The prestigious #DadaSahebPhalkeAward is a befitting tribute to this legend. May you continue to serve the Indian Film industry with your versatile acting. Many congratulations @SrBachchan,” Shah tweeted.
Union minister Pralhad Joshi congratulated Bachchan and tweeted, “My hearty congratulations to Amitabh Bachchan for getting selected unanimously for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Amitabh Bachchan ji you have entertained and inspired through your versatile acting for generations and we are proud of you.”
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said on Twitter, “Many many congratulations Amitabh Bachchan ji for being selected for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award ! Maharashtra salutes you for your great and legendary contribution to the Indian cinema!”
DMK chief MK Stalin said, “Heartiest Congratulations to one of the great actors of the country, Thiru Amitabh Bachchan on being selected for the Dada Saheb Phalke Award. A well deserved honour for his contributions to Indian cinema.”
Agencies
