Dadasaheb Phalke for Rajinikanth Special Correspondent film industry. His work is like history of Indian cinema Ra- New Delhi the sun. Through his talent jinikantji. His contribution The Centre on Thursday an- and hard work, he has made as actor, producer and nounced the prestigious Da- a space for himself in the screenwriter has been icon- dasaheb Phalke Award for hearts of millions of pe- ic,” Mr. Javadekar later Rajinikanth for his contribu- ople.” The award will tweeted. tion as an actor, producer be presented to Raji- Instituted in and screenwriter. nikanth on May 3. 1969, the award is Announcing the decision “Happy to an- the highest ho- in New Delhi, Information nounce #Dadasaheb nour for an artiste in and Broadcasting Minister Phalke award for 2019 Indian cinema. Prakash Javadekar said, “For to one of the the past 50 years, Rajini- greatest CONTINUED ON kanth has been ruling the actors in A PAGE 8 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Rajinikanth It is presented annually at for the past three years. the National Film Awards The decision comes five Ceremony by the Directo- days ahead of the Assembly rate of Film Festivals, an or- election in Tamil Nadu, ganisation of the Ministry of where the superstar has a Information and Broadcast- huge fan following. ing. The award was decided Three years after taking by a jury of five members — the first step towards polit- Asha Bhonsle, director Sub- ics, Rajinikanth recently an- hash Ghai, Mohanlal, Shan- nounced that he would not kar Mahadevan and actor be taking the plunge after Biswajeet Chatterjee. all, citing failing health as a After Amitabh Bachchan reason. The BJP had hoped received the award in 2018, for a tie-up with his pro- there had been no nominee posed political party. .