Award function passes off without any disruption, despite threats from MNS.
Amidst great fanfare and in the presence of stalwarts from the Hindi film industry — actors Aamir Khan, Rekha and music composer AR Rahman, the state government’s 46th grand award ceremony — Marathi Chitrapat Mahamandal took place at Shiva Chhatrapati Krida Nagari, Balewadi on Saturday evening.
Actors Aamir Khan and Rekha were awarded the Raj Kapoor Puraskar. “Maharashtra is like my mother. I am proud to be a Maharashtrian and this award gives me tremendous pleasure. Raj Kapoor was like my father and this award is like a blessing from my parents,” said Rekha, after accepting the award. Aamir Khan also expressed happiness while receiving the award. Oscar award winner AR Rahman and team members of Slumdog Millionaire were also felicitated at the ceremony.
Famous Marathi actor and director Mahesh Kothari and legendary Marathi musician Jagadish Khebudkar were awarded the V Shantaram Puraskar. Chief minister of Maharashtra Ashok Chavan, deputy chief minister Chhagan Bhujbal, cultural minister of state Harshwardhan Patil, senior musician Hridaynath Mangeshkar, singer Udit Narayan and actress Helen were also present at the ceremony.
Meanwhile, no untoward incident was reported at the venue. Rekha had stirred a hornet’s nest by allegedly forcing the state government to change the name of the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award for which she was selected. She received the Jeevan Gaurav Award.
The Maharashtra Navnirman Sena had demanded that the award be withdrawn because Rekha had ‘insulted’ the state government and demanded an apology from her. Or else, they threatened to stall the awards function.
Joint commissioner of police Rajendra Sonawane said that police officers were in touch with MNS workers in Pune and Mumbai. “We were assured no MNS activist would indulge in any untoward incident,” he said.
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