Rajinikanth’s National Award speech thanking his bus driver friend proves why he’s a megastar with a heart; read inside

Superstar Rajinikanth, who is also known as Thalaiva, was bestowed with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 67th National Film Awards ceremony on Monday, October 25. The actor was felicitated for his amazing contribution to the Indian film industry. Rajinikanth’s family including his wife Lathaa, daughter Soundarya Rajinikanth and son-in-law Dhanush were present at the event. Interestingly, Dhanush also received a National Film Award for the Best Actor for his performance in Asuran.

During the speech, superstar Rajinikanth thanked his bus driver friend. He said, “I am extremely happy to receive this most prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award. My thanks to the honourable central government. I dedicate this award to my mentor, my guru K Balachander. This moment, I remember him with great gratitude, and my brother Satyanrayan Gaikwad who’s like my father who brought me up by teaching me great values, and spirituality. My friend in Karnataka, bus transport driver, my colleague – Rajbahadur. When I was the bus conductor, he identified the acting talent in me and encouraged me to join the cinema. All my producers, director, co-artistes, technicians, distributors, exhibitors and the media, press and all my fans. Tamil people – without them I am no body. Jai Hind! (sic)”

“We are felicitating one of the great sons of this great country – Rajinikanth who is one of the most celebrated actors from the South India, not ‘of’ South India. Thalaivar rules over millions of hearts and needs no introduction. His acting scale has given a new dimension to the Indian film industry. Thalaivar epitomises the perfect balance between the mass appeal and the artistic expression – something that all the filmmakers would do well to attempt in the future.” – M Venkaiah Naidu, Vice-President of India.

 

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As soon as he got the award, everyone started cheering and gave him a standing ovation. Other actors and artists who won big at the 6th National Film Awards are Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpayee, Sadiad Nadiadwala, Nitesh Tiwari, and Vijay Sethupathy among others.

Kangana got the award for his performance in two movies Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi, and Panga. Did you know this is Kangana’s fourth National Award? Bajpayee shared the Best Actor award with Dhanush. He got it for his movie Bhonsle. N

itesh Tiwari was awarded for his movie Chhichhore that starred late actor Sushant Singh Rajput while Vijay Sethupathy was awarded the Best Supporting Actor for his scintillating performance in Super Deluxe.

You can watch the presentation ceremony and Rajinikanth speech right here:

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Also Read:67th National Film Awards 2021 complete winners list: Manoj Bajpayee, Vijay Sethupathi, Chhichhore, Kangana Ranaut win big