Bollywood legend Pran was on Friday honoured with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award by President Pranab Mukherjee. The President also gave away trophies to the winners of 60th National Film Awards including best film Paan Singh Tomar and its lead actor Irrfan Khan as the best actor.
Pran, 93, could not attend the ceremony due to ill-health but a documentary on his life and work was received with a standing ovation by the audience.
Pran, best known for his portrayal of negative roles in Hindi movies like Milan , Madhumati and Kashmir ki Kali , will be later honoured with the Swarna Kamal (golden lotus) medallion, a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh and a shawl.
Paan Singh Tomar , a biopic on an athlete-turned-dacoit, won the best picture award. The best film trophy comes with a Swarna Kamal and a cash prize of Rs. 2,50,000.
‘A proud moment’
Director Tigmanshu Dhulia told PTI that it was special to get the award on a day when Indian cinema is celebrating 100 golden years.
“It has turned out to be a very special film. When I was making it, I did not think that it would turn out to be a path-breaking film. It is a very proud moment for us,” Mr. Dhulia said.
Irrfan shared the best actor trophy with veteran Marathi actor Vikram Gokhale for his role in Anumati.
Actress Usha Jadhav was honoured with the best actress trophy for her portrayal of a rustic housewife in Marathi film Dhag .
The best actor and actress awards come with a Rajat Kamal and Rs. 50,000 cash prize.
Dhag ’s director Shivaji Lotan Patil won a Swarna Kamal and Rs. 2,50,000 for the best director award. — PTI
