Renowned actor Rajinikanth was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on Monday at the 67th National Film Awards ceremony.
He was honoured with this award for his contribution to the field of cinema as an actor, producer and screenwriter.
Instituted in 1969, the award is the highest honour for an artiste in Indian cinema.
Rajinikanth was present at the ceremony wife Latha, daughter Soundarya and son-in-law Dhanush (who shared the best acting honours for Asuran, along with Manoj Bajapayee for Bhonsle).
Speaking on the occasion, the actor said that he dedicated the award to his mentor K Balachander and his brother Thiru Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad.
“I dedicate this award to my guru and mentor K Balachander sir, and I remember him with gratitude. I also dedicate this to my brother Thiru Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad, who was a father figure to me, and raised me with great values instilling spirituality in me,” he said.
The actor also remembered his close friend, bus driver Raj Bahadur.
“He was the first person to identify the acting talent in me when I was a bus conductor, and encouraged me to enter the world of cinema. I’d also like to thank all my producers, directors, technicians, co-artistes, distributors, media and the press,” added Rajinikanth.