Actor Aamir Khan and the scintillating Rekha were on Saturday bestowed with the prestigious ‘Raj Kapoor Pratibha Gaurav and memorial award’ at the ‘Raj Kapoor Memorial Award for Special Contribution’.
The award has been instituted in memory of legendry showman Raj Kapoor.
Chief Minister Ashok Chavan presented the Raj Kapoor Pratibha Gaurav and Memorial awards to Rekha and Aamir Khan respectively.
Rekha and Aamir Khan expressed their gratitude to Maharashtra for the fame they achieved in the state describing it their ‘Karmabhumi’.
The award presented by the state government comprises of Rs 2 lakh cash, a citation and a memento each. The duo was honoured at the Maharashtra State Awards ceremony held at the Balewadi stadium in the city on May 30.
Noted marathi lyricist Jagdish Khebudkar was another recipient at the function.
Khebudkar, who has written songs for hundreds of hit Marathi films over five decades, was felicitated with the V Shantaram award.
Interestingly, it is only from this year that the selection committee of the state ministry for cultural affairs has decided to present the ‘Raj Kapoor Award’ to two artistes. While one award is to be presented to a veteran artiste, the other is to be given to a younger artiste who has made a mark in films.
A cultural programme preceded the glittering award function held at sports city at Balewadi, about 20 km from here.