Indian cinema icons Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan have been conferred the Padma Vibhushan - India's second highest civilian honour - by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee.
The awards were announced on the eve of the Indian Republic Day. Besides Padma Vibhushan, the president conferred honours in other categories of Padma awards, namely Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri.
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While Amitabh Bachchan exuded elegance and sophistication in a black bandhgala, Dilip Kumar couldn't make it to the ceremony to receive the honour in person.
PHOTO: INDIATODAY
The Bollywood megastar received the loudest and longest applause from the audience, that included Union Ministers, top civil and defence officials, reported India Today.
T 1827 -Honoured and humbled, the Padma Vibhushan ! Words fail me to acknowledge the love and affection of the people that brought me here !
— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) April 8, 2015
The 72-year-old star, who is known as the Shahenshah of the Indian silver screen, has delivered some exceptional performances in his over four-decade-long film career. With movies such as Deewar, Agneepath, Sholay, Don, Black and Paa, the actor has carved a special place for himself.
Amitabh's wife Jaya Bachchan, son Abhishek Bachchan, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai, daughter Shweta Nanda and granddaughter Navya Naveli attended the function.
PHOTO: INDIATODAY The Government of India has previously awarded Amitabh Bachchan with the Padma Shri in 1984 and the Padma Bhushan in 2001.
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