Announcement Comes In The Middle Of Polls In Tamil Nadu
THE TIMES OF INDIA (April 2, 2021)

New Delhi: Tamil superstar Rajinikanth has been chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in what marks another milestone in the accomplishment-studded career of the actor who boasts of ardent fan following running into millions.

The choice of the iconic actor, a Maharashtrian who was born as Shivaji Rao Gaikwad and worked as a bus conductor in Bengaluru and who can with his mannerisms and stylised dialogue delivery send his devotees into raptures, was made by a jury comprising legendary singer Asha Bhonsle, Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, Bollywood veteran Biswajit Chatterjee, singer Shankar Mahadevan and filmmaker Subhash Ghai. The announcement by I&B minister Prakash Javadekar, which came in the middle of the campaign for the Tamil Nadu polls, was celebrated by many, including PM Narendra Modi.

“Popular across generations, a body of work few can boast of, diverse roles and an endearing personality... that's Rajinikanth ji for you. It is a matter of immense joy that Thalaiva has been conferred with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Congratulations to him,” the prime minister tweeted.

Rajinikanth responded, “My heartfelt thanks to the government of India, respected and dearest Narendra Modi ji, Prakash Javadekar ji and the jury for conferring upon me the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. I sincerely dedicate it to all those who have been a part of my journey. Thanks to the almighty.”

The actor was conferred the Padma Vibhushan, the second highest civilian decoration, by the Modi government in 2016.

Tamil Nadu CM Edapaddi K Palaniswami and DMK chief M K Stalin expressed joy over the recognition for the actor who has also acted in Hindi, Kannada and Telugu movies.

Union ministers for defence and home, Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah respectively, and BJP chief J P Nadda were among those who took to Twitter to celebrate the honour for Rajinikanth.

Announcing the award, Javadekar said, “For about 50 years, Rajinikanth has been the uncrowned king of the film world.”
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BOMBAY TIMES (April 2, 2021)

On Thursday, Prakash Javadekar, the Minister for Information and Broadcasting, announced that Rajinikanth will be honoured with the 51st Dadasaheb Phalke Award for 2019. He tweeted, “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 (sic).”

Members of the jury for the award were Asha Bhosle, Biswajit Chatterjee, Mohanlal, Shankar Mahadevan and Subhash Ghai. Rajinikanth, who has been conferred with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Vibhushan in the past, will receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award on May 3.

Expressing his gratitude for the honour, Rajinikanth took to Twitter and wrote, “Immensely humbled and honoured with your greetings and the most prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award award respected and dearest Shri Narendra Modi ji. My heartfelt thanks to you and the government of India (sic).”

The Dadasaheb Phalke, awarded for excellence in cinematic achievement, is the highest honour in film and is awarded by the government. Rajinikanth made his film debut with the Tamil film Apoorva Raagangal (1975), and has starred in over 160 films across various languages.