Anupam Kher gives `gurudakshina` to Mahesh Bhatt

Anupam Kher has been named for the Padma Bhushan and expressed gratitude to Mahesh Bhatt for giving him a break.

Mumbai: Anupam Kher, who has been named for the Padma Bhushan, has expressed gratitude to Mahesh Bhatt, the director of his debut film 'Saaransh'. The veteran actor has given the filmmaker a Rs.1,000 note, and thanked him for giving him a "career".

The two Hindi film celebrities, it seems, are following the age-old guru-shishya tradition.

In an image shared by Anupam on Twitter, Bhatt can be seen kissing the actor's head as he bows down to his 'guru' and gifts him a Rs.1,000 note.

"And the saga of Gurudakshina continues. #PadmaBhushan #Saaransh #MaheshBhatt #Gratitude," tweeted Anupam.

Earlier in the day, Bhatt congratulated the 60-year-old actor for being named for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian honour.

"When the student outshines the teacher - the teacher dances with joy. Anupam your Padma Bhushan award has made me so so proud," Bhatt posted.

In response, Anupam tweeted: "There can't be a bigger achievement/endorsement for a student. Thank you Mahesh Bhatt saab for 'Saaransh' and a career."

The actor, a National School of Drama alumnus, was only 28 when he took on the role of a retired middle class Maharashtrian man, who had lost his son in 'Saaransh'.

Anupam's stellar performance not just won him his first Filmfare best actor award, but the film was also chosen as India's official entry for the 1985 Academy Award for best foreign language film.