Veteran actor Dharmendra and Rajkumar Hirani honoured at 55th Marathi Film Awards

Veteran actor Dharmendra and director Rajkumar Hirani were honoured for their contribution in Hindi cinema at the 55th Marathi Film Ceremony held in Mumbai on Monday.

The ceremony was organised by Maharashtra government. Chief Minister Devendra Fadanvis and Maharashtra's education and cultural affairs minister Vinod Tawde were the among the guests.

Dharmendra received the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award at the gala event. He had once shared the screen with Raj Kapoor in 'Mera Naam Joker'.

When asked how it felt to receive the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Award he said, "I have received many awards in my life but this honour is special. I am not only happy from the heart but my entire soul is happy. When you take the name of Raj saab (Raj Kapoor), there is an electrifying feeling in the heart and body."

Hirani was honoured with the Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award while Marathi actors Mrinal Kulkarni and Vijay Chavhan were also awarded for their contribution in the Marathi Cinema.  

TV actress Ankita Lokhande, one of the guests present at the ceremony, said, "Today for the first time, I am attending the Marathi Film Awards ceremony. I am thankful for the invitation because I am a Maharashtrian. I like connecting with my Marathi roots because if you see Marathi theatre or films, we have taken our culture way forward so..."

She added, "I really hope to work in Marathi films provided I get a good role."