Rajinikanth at the National Film Awards. (Image courtesy: Doordarshan)
Highlights
- Rajinikanth received the award from Vice President Venkaiah Naidu
- The actor attended the ceremony with his son-in-law Dhanush
- Rajinikanth’s wife Latha and daughter Aishwarya were also there
New Delhi:
South Star Rajinikanth received his Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest film honour, from Vice President Venkaiah Naidu at New Delhi’s Vigyan Bhawan today. The superstar dedicated the award to his “producers, directors, film fraternity and fans.” He attended the ceremony with his son-in-law Dhanush, who won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Asuran. Rajinikanth’s wife Latha and their daughter Aishwarya, who is married to Dhanush, were also there. After being honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Rajinikanth recalled his journey from a bus conductor to a renowned actor and thanked his old friend who suggested that he join films.
Rajinikanth received Dadasaheb Phalke Award from Vice President Venkaiah Naidu. (Courtesy: Doordarshan)
Legendary actor , Super star Rajinikanth honoured with 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award@rajinikanthpic.twitter.com/734uxqKNrq
— All India Radio News (@airnewsalerts) October 25, 2021
A jury made up of singers Asha Bhosle and Shankar Mahadevan, actors Mohanlal and Biswajeet Chatterjee and filmmaker Subhash Ghai had selected Rajinikanth for the honour earlier this year. At the National Film Awards today, actor Biswajit Chatterjee said they selected Rajinikanth for the honour because he is a “talented” person and very “down to earth.”
On Sunday, Rajinikanth shared a statement on Twitter about receiving the award and called it one of the “two special landmarks” – the other one being his daughter Soundarya Vishagan’s new app named Hoote, which is to be launched this evening. In his statement, Rajinikanth wrote: “Tomorrow is an important occasion for me with two special landmarks. One, Dadasaheb Phalke Award, being conferred upon me by the Government of India because of the love and support of the people.”
See the actor’s tweet here:
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) October 24, 2021
Rajinikanth is known for his blockbuster performances in films such as Sivaji, Enthiran, Nallavanuku Nallavan, Thalapathy, Annamalai, Sri Raghavendra, Peddarayudu, Chandramukhi, Nattukku Oru Nallavan, Darbar and Baasha. He was last seen in Darbar, which released last year. His new movie Annaatthe will premiere next month.
