While Khan received the Vishesh Puraskar for Best Film Dangal, Kapil Dev was honoured for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cricket. Legendary actress Vyjayanthimala Bali was also presented with Master Dinanath Vishesh Puraskar for her achievements in Hindi cinema.
It was pleasant sight for Aamir’s fans as he was seen attending an award function for the first time in 16 years. The ‘PK’ actor last attended an award show 16 years ago at Oscars when Lagaan was nominated in the Best Film category.
The actor and the right-wing group’s chief sharing stage was also interesting to witness as both of them had conflicting views on the issue of ‘intolerance’ in the country.
Aamir in 2015 had said that the sense of insecurity and fear had been growing in the past six or eight months. He said that his wife Kiran had mulled about settling abroad.
“When I chat with Kiran at home, she says ‘Should we move out of India?’ That’s a disastrous and big statement for Kiran to make. She fears for her child. She fears about what the atmosphere around us will be. She feels scared to open the newspapers every day.
“That does indicate that there is this sense of growing disquiet, there is growing despondency apart from alarm. You feel why this is happening, you feel low. That sense does exist in me,” Khan said.
While RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said ‘intolerance’ remarks are made by those who do not care about their motherland and are unaware of how it can malign the character of the nation.
Congress and several other political parties have often accused RSS and its offshoots of spreading "hatred" among people. The organization has a controversial profile in India.
The Shiv Sena has reiterated its stand that India should have a “Hindutvawadi” president next and backed Bhagwat for the post of the President. However, he clarified that he is not in contention for the country’s top post.