Rajinikanth honoured with Dada Saheb Phalke award; PM Modi calls it a 'matter of immense joy'

The jury included singers Asha Bhosle, Shankar Mahadevan, film-maker Subhash Ghai, and actors Mohanlal & Biswajeet Chatterjee.

By ET Online | Updated: Apr 01, 2021, 12.00 PM IST

Announcing the award, I&B Minister Prakash Javadekar called Rajinikanth "one of the greatest actors in history of Indian cinema."

South superstar Rajinikanth will be honoured with the Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2019. Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, on Thursday, took to Twitter to announce the news, describing his contribution as actor, producer and screenwriter as "iconic."

Javadekar also thanked the jury which consisted of singers Asha Bhosle, Shankar Mahadevan, film-maker Subhash Ghai, actors Mohanlal and Biswajeet Chatterjee.

The jury "unanimously recommended that superstar Rajinikanth be conferred with Dada Saheb Phalke award and we accepted it," news agency PTI quoted the minister as saying.

Happy to announce #Dadasaheb Phalke award for 2019 to one of the greatest actors in history of Indian cinema Rajnik… https://t.co/C7lYvTyGyi
— Prakash Javadekar (@PrakashJavdekar) 1617252887000

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the star, writing in a tweet, "Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality...that’s Shri @rajinikanth Ji for you."

Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality...that’s Sh… https://t.co/wXJ49h77Jc
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) 1617254002000

BJP national general secretary CT Ravi also took to the micro-blogging site to congratulate Thalaiva, as the actor is fondly called.

"Heartiest Congratulations to Thalaiva @rajinikanth on being awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 2021. One of the greatest Actor of His generation, contribution of Thiru Rajinikanth to Indian cinema is exemplary. I share this happiness with His crores of Fans," the four-time legislator tweeted.

Heartiest Congratulations to Thalaiva @rajinikanth on being awarded the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke award for 202… https://t.co/0QbLUVSggu
— C T Ravi �� ಸಿ ಟಿ ರವಿ (@CTRavi_BJP) 1617252274000

Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh called Thalaiva's journey from a humble background to stardom an inspiration.

Heartiest congratulations to Thalaiva @rajinikanth on being awarded the prestigious #DadasahebPhalkeAward. His jo… https://t.co/Drwm72cYf8
— N.Biren Singh (@NBirenSingh) 1617255107000

The Dada Saheb Phalke award is India's highest award in cinema.

From 'Kaala' To 'Sivaji', Every Time Rajinikanth Made Good Win Over Evil

1/4

‘Kaala’, Rajinikanth’s latest venture with Pa. Ranjith released today admist controversies, and fanfare - that is common when it comes to the superstar's films.

Produced by Dhanush, the film also stars Nana patekar, Huma Qureshi, and tells the story of a Mumbai slumlord. Set in Dharavi, Rajini as Karikaalan fights politicians for the rights of oppressed Tamils in maximum city.

But this isn't the first time that the superstar has decided to do a film with political undertones and the good-over-evil message.

Here are some others: