Mumbai, Jan 28: The 79-year-old screenwriter who wrote scripts for biggest Hindi films like Sholay, Deewar and Zanzeer along with his partner Javed Akhtar has turned down precious Padma Shri award asserting that it’s too late for the Indian government to acknowledge his work and contribution to the Hindi cinema.
Salim Khan feels that the central Indian government has taken too long time to give ‘Padma Shri’ award to him as his junior Javed already received both ‘Padma Shri’ and the ‘Padma Bhushan’ long back.
Talking to a daily, Salim khan said “Refused is too harsh a word since I have nothing against the awards. I just think that after 55 years and over 40 films, I deserve more than a Padma Shri for my contributions to Hindi cinema, given that my juniors have already got it years before. Even my erstwhile partner, Javed Akhtar, has received both a Padma Shri and a Padma Bhushan.”
He added, “For years, the central government has ignored me, honouring a number of my peers as well as juniors in the industry. Some three days ago, when I heard that my name is on the Padma awards list, I thought that I’m finally getting what I deserve. But when I came to know that the ministry has chosen me for Padma Shri, I felt it does not match my status and work”.
As many as 104 civilians have been selected for the Padma Awards this year that will be conferred to them on Monday. Other than Salim Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, PV Sindhu, Rajnikanth, LK Advani amongst others.
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