Vinod Khanna posthumously honoured with Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2017

Late veteran actor and politician Vinod Khanna was posthumously honoured with prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2017. He is the 49th recipient of the award, considered as the highest honour in Indian cinema given by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Vinod Khanna

Born on 6 October 1946, Khanna has featured in as many as 146 films in his film career spanning over four decades. He made his debut in 1968 with Mann Ka Meet. He was known for his suave style and composed demeanour.
Some of his famous films are Mere Apne, Insaaf and Amar, Akbar, Anthony. He was last seen in 2015 in Shah Rukh Khan’s Dilwale. Khanna has also won numerous awards, including the Filmfare award for best supporting actor and the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999. In 1982 Khanna decided to quit film industry at peak time of his career to follow his spiritual guru Osho Rajneesh.
Politics: Khanna forayed into politics in 1997. In 1998, he got elected to the Lok Sabha from the Gurdaspur constituency in Punjab on a BJP ticket. He served as Union minister for culture and tourism in 2002 under Atal Bihari Vajpayee government. Later, he also became minister of state in Ministry of External Affairs. At the time of his death in 2017, he was sitting BJP member of Lok Sabha from the Gurdaspur constituency (Punjab).

Dadasaheb Phalke Award

The award is conferred by Union Government for outstanding contribution to growth and development of Indian Cinema. It was established in 1969 to commemorate the birth centenary year of father of Indian cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke. It is highest official recognition (award) in Indian cinema. It is given on basis of recommendations of a committee of eminent personalities set up by the government. The award consists of a Swarn Kamal (Golden Lotus), a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakhs and a shawl.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2018