Padma Vibhushan for Dilip Kumar- He deserved it long back, says Subhash Ghai

Mumbai: Thanking the Central Government for presenting the prestigious Padma Vibhushan Samman to Indian cinema’s legendary Dilip Kumar on Sunday, veteran filmmaker Subhash Ghai said that the thespian deserved ‘it long back’.

Ghai, took to Twitter to thank the BJP led Central govt for honouring Dilip Kumar with the nation’s second highest civilian award, which was long overdue.

Here’s what Ghai tweeted:

Thank u bjp Govt for honouring legend of legends dilip Kumar with Padma Vibhushan finally. He deserved it long back pic.twitter.com/GAl2TgCITb — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 13, 2015

Subhash Ghai, who feels fortunate for having been able to direct the legend in three films, was overwhelmed.

On December 11, when the thespian turned 93, Ghai took to Twitter to wish Kumar.

He tweeted:

Happy birthday to the legend of legends in indian cinema DILIP KUMAR - great actor super human n true indian I know for last 35 years.

— Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 11, 2015

A king n his majesty. It was an emotional delight for me to wish Happy birthday to my ideal Dilip Kumar tonight. pic.twitter.com/h3IwWG7IBJ — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 11, 2015

At mahurat of karma with one of d finest indian Dilip Kumar with his proud co actors-हर कर्म अपना करेंगे एय वतन तेरे pic.twitter.com/KS5997QGl4 — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 12, 2015

Directing Dilip kumar was evolving process for me for twenty years in three films. Best I learnt from him in film... https://t.co/qn9nAm464P — Subhash Ghai (@SubhashGhai1) December 12, 2015

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Governor Vidyasagar Rao visited Kumar’s residence in Mumbai on Sunday to present the prestigious award to the legend.

The announcement to honour Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan from the film fraternity with the Padma Vibhushan was made by the government on the eve of Republic Day on January 25, 2015.

However, Kumar could not attend the special function held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in April to receive the honour owing to health issues.