Dilip Kumar gets teary eyed on receiving Padma Award

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in Mumbai. Home Minister Rajnath Singh flew down to Mumbai to confer the honour just two days after his 93^rd birthday. Dressed in a black suit, Dilip Kumar received the award helped by his wife and veteran actress Saira Banu.

Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, BJP city president and local MLA Ashish Shelar were present at the event. Due to ill-health, Dilip Kumar could not attend the special function held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in April, when other Padma awardees were honoured by President Pranab Mukherjee.

Dilip Kumar’s contribution to Hindi cinema spanning over six decades.

On Sunday evening, Dilip saab tweeted: Overwhelmed today by the gesture of home minister @BJPRajnathSingh who flew to Mumbai specially to present me with the #PadmaVibhushan

Health did not allow me to travel to Delhi to receive the award from the President. CM @Dev_Fadnavis n Gov. Vidyasagarji too came to wish me

Tearful moment when the award was in my hands. How happy and proud my family was. Indeed Allah's mercy and blessing.

He felt 'happy and got emotional' at the recognition, Sairaji said.

Rajnath Singh, who presented the award to Dilip saab, said, "The Prime Minister asked me to go and personally present him with the Padma Vibhushan Award in Mumbai. When Padma Vibhushan was presented in Delhi, Dilip ji couldn't make it due to health concerns."

Asked about Dilip Kumar's reaction after receiving the award, Sairaji later told reporters, "He has always been quiet about himself. He is happy, he smiled and there were tears in his eyes. He is an emotional and sensitive person. For him material things do not matter. He is a simple man, down to earth."

"I am very proud with the honour that the government has given him. I was emotional. I am the proudest wife. Apart from the award people always love and respect him, that matters the most. This is the biggest award," she added.

"It was kind of Rajnath ji to come here personally and honour him. He could have sent anyone, but he came. When this function happened Dilip Kumar was not well. We couldn't go there. It's a great honour," Sairaji said.