The film fraternity on Friday expressed delight over the government’s decision to award this year’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award to yesteryear Bollywood star Manoj Kumar, saying that the latter was an idol to many in the movie industry.
Filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar said that Kumar was not even aware that he has been chosen for the prestigious award when he called him to wish. “I am very happy to hear this. When I saw this on TV and called him to wish, he was not aware of the fact.
Then I told him that he has been chosen for Dadasaheb Phalke award, but he did not believe me. He then checked it on the TV and was very happy.
I am a big fan of his. He was an idol to many in the industry,” Bhandarkar told ANI. Another filmmaker, Ashok Pandit, echoing similar sentiments, lauded Kumar for his ‘patriotic’ films.
“It is a matter of great happiness that an artiste whose performances we have been watching since our childhoods is being given the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award.
The entire industry is happy. When I and Madhur called him, he was sleeping and wasn’t aware about the award,” he said. The 78-year-old actor, who already has seven Filmfare Awards to his credit, will be bestowed with a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl.
Kumar, who is popular for making patriotic movies, was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1992.
He is remembered for his films Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi?, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Upkar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, and Kranti.
ANI