ought because I’ve been serving the industry consistently
for the last 54 years. On special requests from the likes of Pandit Nehru and
Indira Gandhi I must have done lots of national programmes. Still why was I not
awarded this prestigious award for so long. These kind of thoughts clouded my
brain too. I wondered if there was any lobby in the past, which tried to put a
spoke into the award’s wheel. Even if there was, this award has proved me a
winner and maybe that’s why the public is so happy.
“I
wouldn’t say that the Dadasaheb Phalke Award has been honoured by coming to
me. Absolutely not. I am grateful on being given this award. Though, I would
certainly add one thing — when recepients get old, they usually are given this
award, or other Lifetime Achievement Awards, but I’m lucky to be given it
while I’m still young (she laughs).
“It
means that the evening of my career has not yet set. My work is still not over.
I am still in my saddle. What is most notable about the reactions of my friends
and well-wishers is that they unanimously advised me to be proud of my work. Not
one person said that now that I have been given this honour, I should hang up my
boots and take it easy.
“Another
thought that struck me when I received the award was that, like me, other
artistes should be given the award when they are still hale and hearty.
Definitely not at the fag end of their lives. There doesn’t seem to be much
charm in receiving an award when one’s end is near. The only feeling then
would be a nonchalant ‘okay’. But if you receive it at the time like I did,
the recepient can go on to greater heights. Just as this award inspires me to
work more diligently. I assure you, so will it be for other recepients.
“The
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