Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari, who presented the Dadasaheb Phalke award to veteran Bollywood actor Pran, on Friday said his contribution to Indian cinema has been huge and added that the greatness of the award gets bigger after honouring Pran.
“It’s a great honour to present the honour to Pran saab. The Dadasaheb Phalke award has become even more prestigious now that Pran sahab has received it,” Tewari told media at Pran’s residence.
The 93-year-old veteran actor was unable to visit Delhi to collect the award due to his ill health.
Although it has been a tradition that the winner has to go to Delhi to receive the award, it is probably the first time that an artiste will receive his award at his home.
Pran, whose career is spanned over six decades, was seen in every big Bollywood film of the 1960s and 70s.
Some of his memorable roles are in movies like Ram Aur Shyam, Purab aur Paschim, Karz, Upkaar Sharaabi and Zanjeer to name a few from the list of movies.
He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan, India’s third highest civilian award, in 2001. (ANI)