79-year-old actor-producer and director Asha Parekh will be the 7th woman to receive the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke. She will receive the highest recognition for cinema in India for her contribution to the field.
The veteran actor considered the dancing queen of the 60s and for commercial hits, is rated as one of the most successful artists of Hindi cinema.
News reports quoted Union Minister Anurag Thakur as saying, “I am honored to announce that the Dadasaheb Phalke Selection Jury has decided to recognize and award Ms. Asha Parekh Ji for her exemplary lifetime contribution to Indian Cinema.” The 68th National Film Awards will be held on September 30, 2022, and will be presided over by President Droupadi Murmu.
Beginning her career as a child artiste at 10, Asha Parekh starred in several successful flicks like Kati Patang, Teesri Manzil, Caravan, etc.
She also served as the first woman chairperson of the Censor Board of Film Certification from 1998 to 2001. She also produced TV serials like Kora Kagaz, which she directed following her long stint in films. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992.
Women-Facts of Dadasaheb Phalke:
-The first recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award was Devika Rani.
-Other women recipients: Ruby Myers, Kanan Devi, Durga Khote, Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle.
-The singing sisters Lata-Asha are among the few siblings to have won the award, apart from Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.
