An overwhelmed Rajinikanth thanks fans for Dadasaheb Phalke award, dedicates win to bus driver friend

South superstar Rajinikanth will be honoured with the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2019. Prakash Javadekar, Information and Broadcasting minister, took to Twitter on Thursday to announce the news. Thanking the jury which consisted of singers Asha Bhosle, Shankar Mahadevan, film-maker Subhash Ghai, actors Mohanlal and Biswajeet Chatterjee, the minister termed Rajinikanth's contribution to the film industry "iconic".

Accepting the award, the megastar thanked his fans for their constant support as he dedicated his award to people including bus driver friend, his mentor among others who contributed to his rise.

"I dedicate this award to my friend and bus driver Raj Bahadur, who discovered my acting talent and encouraged me, my elder brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaekwad, who sacrificed a lot to make me an actor while struggling with poverty, my guru K Balachander, who created this Rajinikanth," the 70-year old actor said.


Further, he also dedicated the award to producers, directors, technicians, distributors, theatre owners, media, the Tamil people, "who have given me my life, and my fans across the world."



Rajinikanth also thanked Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for conferring him the "Indian cinema's highest honour". "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," he tweeted.



Soon enough the award was announced, congratulatory messages poured in to the veteran. Those who greeted him were his long time friend Kamal Haasan, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam, DMK President M K Stalin and various other political leaders.

Makkal Needhi Maiam founder Haasan said the award, highest to be bestowed on a performing artiste, is 100 per cent appropriate for Rajinikanth. "It is a great pleasure that the highest award, the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, has been announced to Rajinikanth, the supreme star and my dearest friend. The award is 100 per cent appropriate for Rajini, who has proven that he can win over fans by appearing on screen," Haasan tweeted.