The evergreen Dev Anand has been awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2002 for his outstanding contributions to the Indian film industry, it was announced in New Delhi Tuesday.
The 80-year-old legend will be the 34th recipient of the country's highest cinematic honour. He will receive the award at a ceremony December 29.
The Dada Saheb Phalke award, which carries a cash prize of Rs 200,000, a shawl and a "swarna kamal" or gold lotus, was instituted in 1969.
Anand said the honour would provide more impetus to his work.
Speaking from Mahableshwar, the actor said: "I am happy over the award. It makes one feel good and excited".
"It will add impetus to my work as it brings in a greater sense of responsibility", Dev Anand added.
"I am not exactly jumping like a child but I do feel that the award would add more excitement to my work. It will stimulate my work", the 80-year-old actor, who is known for his bubbling energy and amazing stamina, said.
"There is nothing unusual about the award, I view it in a philosophical way. By the world's standard it is adding a feather to my cap. To me that people remember me -- is in itself the greatest award ", the actor added in a humble tone.
On the award coming late in the day, he said: "I don't care. People have often told me that I should have got an award like this, but to me it never mattered for I believe that when one leaves and goes and if people still remember you it is a great award".
"Moreover, I have been working for years and I knew that one day it had to happen", he adds as a matter-of-fact.
"Anyway life just goes on and I am currently busy with my film `Song of Life'. I am here in Mahableshwar in connection with another film, casting for which would begin soon", he said.
And would he personally go to receive the award, "I think I should, otherwise they may not like it", he added.
The evergreen Dev Anand has been awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2002 for his outstanding contributions to the Indian film industry, it was announced in New Delhi Tuesday. 