Amitabh Bachchan was honoured with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar on Wednesday and the megastar said he is fortunate to receive the award in the memory of the singer whose voice connected listeners to a higher power.
The family and the trust instituted the award in memory of the melody queen, who was the eldest of the five Mangeshkar siblings after she died in 2022 following multiple organ failure.
Bachchan received the recognition on April 24, the Memorial Day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, the theatre-music veteran and father of Mangeshkar siblings.
The 81-year-old star, whose career spans over five decades in films and is known for movies such as Zanjeer, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Mohabbatein, and Piku, said he was blessed to receive the award.
"I'm fortunate to receive this award today. I never really regarded myself worthy of such an award, but Hridyanath (Mangeshkar) ji tried hard so that I could come here. He even invited me to this ceremony last year.
"Hridaynath ji, I apologise to you for last time. I had then told you I was unwell. I was healthy but didn't want to come here. This year I had no excuse, so I had to come here," Bachchan said in his award acceptance speech.
"The sweetness in her voice was honey and as the flow of honey never breaks, her 'swar' (chord) never breaks. Whenever someone hits the right chord, our soul meets with 'parmatma' (the higher power). And Lata Mangeshkar ji's 'swar' joins us with God," Bachchan added.
Singer Usha Mangeshkar, the third eldest Mangeshkar sibling, presented the award to Bachchan. Earlier, veteran singer Asha Bhosle, the second Mangeshkar sibling, was supposed to give away the trophies but gave the event a miss as she is unwell.
The award, known as the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar, is given every year to an individual who has made a path-breaking contribution towards the nation, its people and society. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was its first recipient, followed by Asha Bhosle in 2023.
The function was presided over by music composer Hridaynath Mangeshkar, the youngest Mangeshkar sibling.
At the event, music maestro A R Rahman received the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for contribution to Indian music.
"It's such a great honour. This is so inspiring. When my father (composer R K Shekhar) was working in the film industry in the south, he used to wake up facing Lata Mangeshkar ji's photograph.
"When I became a composer from the south, the enormous love I got from you guys changed my life. There's one thing I tell my family and kids: 'Look at the Mangeshkar family, their dedication'. Today, we need to celebrate that dedication of the family. I am a student, I learn from all of you," the 57-year-old said.
The Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar was also presented to the non-profit organisation Deepstambh Foundation Manobal for services in the field of social service, while Ashtavinayak Prakashit's "Galib", produced by Malhar and Vajreshwari, was recognised as the best drama of the year.
Marathi writer Manjiri Phadke received Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar (Vagvilasini Puraskar) for contribution to literature, while actor Randeep Hooda was feted with the Vishesh Puraskar for best film production and actor.
Hooda, who received the trophy for Swatantrya Veer Savarkar, said it is a special award for him.
"Mr Savarkar was not just a national figure but also had a close relationship with the Mangeshkar family... I'm grateful for this validation and this is an honour for me," he added.
Actor Ashok Saraf was recognised for his contribution to cinema and drama and actor Padmini Kolhapure was honoured with Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar for cinema.
Kolhapure, niece of Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle, thanked her family for their love and support.
"Whatever I am today, I am because of Asha Bhosle who brought me into the film industry. 10 years ago, my father Pandharinath Kolhapure was also given the Deenanath Mangeshkar Award. So, this is a very important award for me. This is an award from my family and I accept it with gratitude," said the actress, known for films such as Prem Rog, Woh Saat Din, and Chimani Pakhar.
The recipients also included singer Roopkumar Rathod for his contribution to the field of music, Bhau Torsekar for editorial services and Atul Parchure for services to theatre and drama.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.