Veteran actor Anupam Kher was recently given one of the highest honors in Indian cinema; the Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award. The award was presented to him during the Maharashtra State Film Awards, held on August 5.
The event celebrated both the 60th and 61st editions of the awards in a grand combined ceremony.
The 70-year-old actor shared his happiness and gratitude on Instagram, where he thanked the Government of Maharashtra, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy CM Ajit Pawar, and Cultural Minister Ashish Shelar.
He said he felt deeply honored to receive such a prestigious award, especially one named after the legendary actor and filmmaker Raj Kapoor, whom he has admired for many years.
Anupam Kher feels ‘honoured and humbled’:
In his heartfelt post, Kher said that Mumbai has played a major role in shaping his life and career. He called the city the place with the “largest heart in the world” and said it gives everyone at least one chance to follow their dreams.
He wrote, “Mumbai has made all my dreams come true. It continues to do so. Raj Kapoor ji was my inspiration. To receive an award named after him is not only an honor, but also a very emotional moment for me.”
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Along with his message, Kher posted a video of himself receiving the award on stage. He was seen sitting next to veteran actress Tanuja Mukherjee and actress Kajol during the event.
In his speech, Kher shared some emotional memories from his early days in Mumbai. He spoke about arriving in the city on June 3, 1981, with big dreams but little support. Even though he was a gold medalist from the National School of Drama, he struggled to find work in the beginning. He lived in a small room in a chawl. And he didn’t even know the full address of where he was staying.
“Those days are now 40 years old,” he said. “But my love for this city is still the same. Mumbai is a place where everyone gets a chance. You just have to keep believing and working hard.”
The Raj Kapoor Award is given to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to Indian cinema. Raj Kapoor, known as “The Showman of Indian Cinema,” was not only a famous actor but also a great filmmaker who left a lasting impact on the industry.