NEW DELHI:
Veteran actor Shashi Kapoor will be conferred the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award in Mumbai after his family conveyed to the Information and Broadcasting Ministry that it would be difficult for him to travel to Delhi for the awards presentation function owing to health reasons.
Sources said the ministry has decided to confer the award on 77-year-old Kapoor in Mumbai. An announcement of the award and an audio-visual film related to Kapoor’s achievements will be played at the National Film Awards presentation function to held here on May 3.
The award will be conferred on the actor in Mumbai on a suitable date later, a source said.
Shashi Kapoor is reportedly wheelchair-bound and is learnt to be ailing from kidney problems.
It is likely that I&B Minister Arun Jaitley or Minister of State for I&B Rajyavardhan Rathore will travel to Mumbai to bestow the honour on Kapoor at a function there.
Former I&B Minister Manish Tewari had gone to Mumbai and presented the Dadasaheb Phalke award to veteran actor Pran in 2013.
Kapoor has starred in over 100 Hindi films and is best known for his powerful portrayal of roles in hits like Namak Halaal, Deewar and Kabhie Kabhie.
Dadasaheb Phalke award is the highest official recognition for film personalities in India.
Kapoor is the third from his family to get the award, after his father Prithviraj Kapoor and elder brother Raj Kapoor.
The award consists of a Swarna Kamal (golden lotus), cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl. (AGENCIES)
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