Super Star Rajesh Khanna gets Phalke Award

It was an occasion to remember the father of Indian cinema on his birth anniversary – the man who made the first silent movie in India, Dada Saheb Phalke.

A body of 36 cine associations, the Dada Saheb Phalke Academy honours talent from various creative fields on April 30 every year and this year it was veteran actor Rajesh Khanna who received the Phalke Legendary Actor Award.

Other yesteryear artists like dancer Sitara Devi, singer Mahendra Kapoor and Shyama were also honoured at the ceremony. Rajesh Khanna also recited Sahir's poetry at the occasion.

Sitting among the veterans was actress Raveena Tandon along with her daughter Rasha to cheer for her father and filmmaker Ravi Tandon who was also honoured at the event.Raveena said her little daughter was more excited than her because "she thinks it’s my father's birthday. Since morning she has been saying that we are going for Nana's birthday."

The awards given away by the Dada Sahen Phalke Academy may have lacked the glamour and star presence associated with contemporary film awards, but being the only award which remembers the man who pioneered the art of filmmaking in the country, it's irreplaceable.