Earlier, in the day, Union Minister Prakash Javdekar announced that the highest honour in Indian cinema – Dadasaheb Phalke award was being conferred on Rajinikanth for his contribution to Indian cinema.
Now, Rajinikanth has responded to the same and said in a press release - “I thank the centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji for this honour. I thank my conductor friend Raj Bahadur for helping me during my tough times and motivating me; my brother Sathyanarayana Rao Gaikwad for the immense sacrifices he has made en route for my becoming an actor; my guru K Balachandar; producers; directors; technicians; distributors; theatre owners; media and my fans.”
He further continued: “I thank Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, Deputy CM O Panneerselvam, dear friend Kamal Haasan, opposition leader MK Stalin and others for extending their heartfelt wishes to me.”
Tamil Film Active Producers Association also released a statement, commending the Superstar.