The 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Awards honoured legendary actor Rajinikanth with India's highest film honour.
The 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Awards honoured legendary actor Rajinikanth with India's highest film honour - for his stupendous contribution to Indian cinema, it was announced on Thursday. The news was confirmed by Union Minister Prakash Javadekar.
"Happy to announce Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2019 to one of the greatest actors in history of Indian cinema Rajnikant ji. His contribution as actor, producer, and screenwriter has been iconic," Javadekar tweeted.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also took to Twitter to congratulate Rajinikanth. His tweet read, "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 (sic)."
Kamal Haasan was the first celebrity to wish his dearest friend Rajinikanth who was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke award.
Taking to his Twitter account, Kamal's tweet translated as, "It is with great pleasure that the highest award, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, has been announced to Rajinikanth, the supreme star and my dearest friend. The award is 100% appropriate for Rajini, who has proved that he can win over fans by appearing on screen."
Widely regarded as one of the most popular cinematic icons in India, Rajinikanth has also been honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2000 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2016 by the Government of India.
Rajinikanth, who enjoys a demigod status, made his debut in Tamil cinema with "Apoorva Raagangal". Among his numerous hits are films like "Baashha", "Sivaji" and "Enthiran". He is known as Thalaivar or leader by his fans.
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is India's highest honour in cinema. It is presented annually at the National Film Awards by the Directorate of Film Festivals of the Information and Broadcasting ministry of the Government of India. The first recipient of the award was actress Devika Rani. Recent recipients include Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, filmmaker K.Vishwanath and Manoj Kumar.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Breaking: Rajinikanth to be honoured with 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}