Chennai: Actor Rajinikanth received Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2019 from Vice President of India Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on Monday. After receiving the award, Rajinikanth said, “I am extremely thankful to the central government for giving me the most prestigious award. I dedicate this award to my mentor K Balachander and I remember him with gratitude. I also thank my brother who taught me values and inculcated spirituality.”
“I want to remember my friend from Karnataka Lal Bahadur, who was a driver in Transport Corporation, while I was a conductor. He was the one who saw the acting talent in me and encouraged me to join the cinema. I also thank my producers, directors, technicians, media, and fans,” he said.
Finally, the Super Star said, “Especially to Tamil people without whom I am nobody. “Ennai Vazhaveikum Tamil Makkalku Nandri” (I thank Tamil people who have given me life) and Jai Hind.”
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As part of the award, Rajinikanth received Rs 1 million and a shawl. The jury members who finalized to give the award for superstar were Asha Bhosle, Subhash Ghai, Mohanlal and Shankar Mahadevan.
Along with the superstar, his son-in-law and actor Dhanush also bagged the best actor award for the movie Asuran. The director and producer of Asuran, Vetrimaran and Kalaipuli S Dhanu, also received the national award.
From Tamil Nadu, actor Vijay Sethupathi also received the award for best supporting actor in the movie "Super Deluxe" for his character as a transwoman "Shilpa".
The movie Oththa Seruppu Size 7 also bagged two awards. In the best audiography category, Resul Pookutty received the award for the Oththa Seruppu Size & movie. The director and actor who produced the one-man movie R Parthiban also received the special jury award for the movie.
The awards were given for the movies released between January 1, 2019 and December 31, 2019 since the function which was slated for May 3, 2021 got delayed due to the pandemic.