Rajinikanth to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award

Indian superstar turned politician Rajinikanth will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019. 

The announcement was made by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Prakash Javadekar on Twitter. 

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

I thank Jury @ashabhosle @SubhashGhai1 @Mohanlal@Shankar_Live #BiswajeetChatterjee pic.twitter.com/b17qv6D6BP

— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) April 1, 2021

"Happy to announce Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2019 to one of the greatest actors in the history of Indian cinema Rajnikant ji. His contribution as actor, producer and screenwriter has been iconic," Javadekar wrote. 

Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality…that’s Shri @rajinikanth Ji for you.

It is a matter of immense joy that Thalaiva has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Congratulations to him.

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 1, 2021

70-year-old Rajinikanth was selected for the honour by a jury comprising singers Asha Bhosle and Shankar Mahadevan, actors Mohanlal and Biswajeet, and filmmaker Subhash Ghai. 

My heartfelt thanks to the government of india, respected & dearest @narendramodi ji, @PrakashJavdekar ji and the jury for conferring upon me the prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward I sincerely dedicate it to all those who have been a part of my journey. Thanks to the almighty 🙏🏻

— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) April 1, 2021

The Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019 was not announced last year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Rajinikanth, one of India’s biggest film stars began his movie career in 1975 with the Tamil film Apoorva Ragangal. He has since delivered a slew of hits both in southern cinema and Bollywood.