Amitabh Bachchan was last seen in crime-thriller Badla.
Amitabh Bachchan, 76, will receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award - India's highest film honour - this year, tweeted union minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday evening. "The legend Amitabh Bachchan, who entertained and inspired for two generations, has been selected unanimously for Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The entire country and international community is happy. My heartiest congratulations to him," Mr Javadekar wrote in his tweet. Actor-politician Rajinikanth congratulated Mr Bachchan within an hour with a tweet: "Congratulations dear Amitabh Bachchan ji. You richly deserve this commendable honour."
Congratulations dear @SrBachchan ji !!! You richly deserve this commendable honour !!!! #DadaSahebPhalkeAward
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) September 24, 2019
A tweet of congratulations also arrived from "proud son" Abhishek Bachchan and "excited" daughter Shweta Bachchan Nanda. "Overjoyed and so, so proud!" wrote Abhishek while Shweta captioned her post for her "Papa": "Whose your Dada (Saheb Phalke)?
Uncontainable excitement, pride, tears, and general hysteria!Congratulations Papa."
Overjoyed and so, so proud! #ProudSon .https://t.co/bDj4kNaVhS
— Abhishek Bachchan (@juniorbachchan) September 24, 2019
Filmmaker Karan Johar and actor Anil Kapoor were the first celebs to congratulate Mr Bachchan on Twitter. "The most inspiring legend of Indian cinema! He is a bona-fide rockstar! I am honoured and proud to be in the era of Amitabh Bachchan. The prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Amitabh Bachchan!" read Mr Johar's tweet, who has directed the acting legend in a few of his blockbuster movies.
The most inspiring legend of Indian Cinema!!!! He is a bonafide rock star!!! I am honoured and proud to be in the Era of AMITABH BACHCHAN! The prestigious #DadaSahebPhalkeAward to @SrBachchan https://t.co/wPepdsbugL
— Karan Johar (@karanjohar) September 24, 2019
Anil Kapoor, who has co-starred with Mr Bachchan in Armaan, tweeted: "There is no mention of Indian cinema without this legend! He has redefined cinema with every role and deserves every accolade for his innumerable contributions!"
There is no mention of Indian cinema without this Legend! He has redefined cinema with every role & deserves every accolade for his innumerable contributions! Congratulations @SrBachchan! #DadaSahebPhalkeAward https://t.co/sBJ7aHlGCI
— Anil Kapoor (@AnilKapoor) September 24, 2019
Actor Riteish Deshmukh, who shared screenspace with Amitabh Bachchan in Rann, tweeted: "No one deserves this more! Amitabh Bachchan sir, heartiest congratulations! Am thrilled to bits!"
No one deserves this more!!!! @SrBachchan Sir, heartiest congratulations!!!! Am thrilled to bits!!! #DadaSahebPhalkeAward -this is an honour for every #AmitabhBachchan Fan including me - Thank you @PrakashJavdekar ji - https://t.co/3Z9YvOJYz6
— Riteish Deshmukh (@Riteishd) September 24, 2019
Congratulatory messages also poured in from the likes of Dia Mirza:
Congratulations Dearest Sir @SrBachchan!!! Your contribution to cinema and the arts is invaluable. 50 years in film with your continued passion and commitment to the craft are an inspiration #AmitabhBachchan #dadasahebphalkeawards2019
— Dia Mirza (@deespeak) September 24, 2019
Asha Bhosle, who is part of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award Jury Member, said she is immensely "pleased" at the jury's decision to honour Mr Bachchan with the award. "As a Dadasaheb Phalke Award Jury Member, I am pleased to congratulate Shri Amitabh Bachchanji on his getting this prestigious award."
As a Dadasaheb Phalke Award Jury Member, I am pleased to congratulate Shri. Amitabh Bachchanji on his getting this Prestigious Award
— ashabhosle (@ashabhosle) September 24, 2019
Last year, at the 65th National Awards, Vinod Khanna was posthumously honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his priceless contribution to cinema.
Amitabh Bachchan has also won four National Film Awards for Best Actor through his illustrious career, last winning it for his performance in 2015 film Piku. Amitabh Bachchan currently appears on TV as the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati 11. He was last seen in crime-thriller Badla.
