New Delhi: Superstar Rajinikanth to be bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award by the Centre for his contribution in cinema as an actor, producer and screenwriter.
The Union Minister of Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar tweeted while announcing the decision, “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.” The award will be presented to Rajnkanth on May 3.
Javadekar also said, “For the past 50 years, Rajinikanth has been ruling the film industry. His work is like the sun. Through his talent and hard work, he has made a space for himself in the hearts of millions of people.”
The award is the highest honour for an artist in Indian Cinema and was first presented in 1969. It is presented annually at the National Film Award ceremony since then and recognises “outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.”
Rajinikanth was born in a Marathi family and was named Shivaji Rao Gaekwad. He has also been a recipient of Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Vibhushan (2016). His larger than life appearance on the big screen and peculiar style of acting with signature moves has made him immensely popular amongst the public.
There is no doubt that he is one of the most successful and celebrated actors not just in Tamil cinema, but in the entire India. In 2015, a film about the fandom of this star named ‘For the Love of a Man’ premiered at the 71st Venice International film Festival.
The rags to riches story of Rajinikanth is so inspiring that the Central Board of Secondary Education has featured him in a chapter called ‘From Bus Conductor to Superstar’ and he is only Indian actor to have received this honour.
The fever of Thalaiva is not going away anytime soon as his fandom ranges across generations.
