The BJP-led government decided to decorate quite a few deserving stalwarts of Bollywood with Padma awards this year. And two great titans of the industry who have been chosen to be conferred with the honour include Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. While Dilip’s wife Saira Banu expressed her happiness at gratitude, Amitabh Bachchan blogged about his overwhelming delight at having been chosen for the country’s 2nd highest civilian honour.
Wrote Amitabh on his blog, “The Government of India has decorated me today with the highest Padma Award of the country, the Padma Vibhushan. I have no words to express my gratitude to the powers that be and am most humbled and overwhelmed by the generosity of the people that decide or sit on judgement on this. In the family now we have a combined list of 7 such awards of the highest national acclaim. My Father (Harivansh Rai Bachchan): Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan. Jaya: Padma Shree. Aishwarya: Padma Shree. AB: (Amitabh Bachchan) Padma Shree, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan.”
The only missing link happens to be Abhishek Bachchan and let’s hope he too joins the Padma ranks soon.
Meanwhile, eminent script writer Salim Khan who was chosen for Padma Shri declined to accept the award stating that he deserved more than just a Padma Shri. Salim was quoted saying, “For years, the central government has ignored me, honouring a number of my peers as well as juniors in the industry. When I heard that my name is on the Padma awards list, I thought that I'm finally getting what I deserve. But when I came to know that the ministry has chosen me for Padma Shri, I felt it does not match my status and work. I deserve more than that. Even my erstwhile partner, Javed Akhtar, has received both a Padma Shri and a Padma Bhushan."
Salim also said that it would be wrong on his part to accept a Padma Bhushan too at this stage. "It would set a wrong precedent. Awards are a good incentive for young people as recognition and appreciation for their work. But for me, the excitement has long ebbed. I have never craved awards,” Salim reportedly said.
Prasoon Joshi and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are some of the other recipients of Padma awards.
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