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Music director Anandji Virji Shah gives the Smita Patil Memorial Award to Rekha in Mumbai as Patil’s son Prateik looks on. Image Credit: PTI

Legendary actress Rekha received the first Smita Patil Memorial Award in Mumbai.

“I am really glad that I am receiving award in the name of Smita. I also want to say that you all did the right thing that you decided to give the first-ever Smita Patil Memorial Award to me, because I think only I have the right to receive this award,” Rekha said.

Rekha was conferred the award for her contribution in the field of cinema.

“This award signifies the excellence of her craft, which includes her acting abilities, dancing abilities or her ability to be fearless in front of the camera or in choosing her roles or the way she could just live that moment and make a statement on-screen with her beautiful eyes without saying a single word,” Rekha said. “I am not saying this because I have won an award on her name. It is because I feel she had far more finesse and was brilliant as an actor. I realised this thing 30 years ago when I decided to watch all her films. Today, I can say that she was far more better actress than me and than anybody else.”

Amruta Subhash, Prateik Babbar and composer Anandji Virji Shah were also present at the awards.

Rekha also told Prateik, son of Smita Patil and Raj Babbar, “when you are in doubt just call me”.

“I am here, but there is no way I can match up to her.”