Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, actors Ranveer Singh and Jeetendra, and singer Armaan Malik were on Sunday honoured by the Mangeshkar family in an annual awards ceremony.
The Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Awards was set up in honour of the late musician and actor Dinanath Mangeshkar to recognise artists who have made an impact in their respective fields.
Bhansali, who is also a composer, said the Mangeshkar family has inspired him. The sibling singers Lata, Usha and Hridaynath Mangeshkar, and Asha Bhosle belong to the family.
“My mother is much happier today as I am receiving this award. She knows how much the Mangeshkar family inspires me. Until today, I have not spent a single day without listening to Lata didi, Asha ji or Usha ji and Hridaynath Mangeshkar’s compositions,” Bhansali said at the ceremony in Mumbai.
“I have learnt about the timing, expressions and dynamics from Mangeshkar’s songs. Moreover, they made me realise [how] to work in that way so it makes imprints in everybody’s hearts forever,” Bhansali added.
Malik was given the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for the most popular singer of the rear, while Singh was feted with the Master Dinanath Mangeshkar Award.
Malik recently sang Bol Do Na Zara from Azhar.
“This year has been a crazy journey for me and every award that I have received has been an incentive to work even harder and better. However, this one holds a special place for me in my life,” he said.
“This award is considered to be a very important one in one’s Bollywood career and I’m glad to get it so early... It feels surreal to know that people out there know me, know my songs and give me so much love. I would like to dedicate this award especially to my musical gurus and teachers, Rita Kaul and Qadir Ghulam Mustafa Khan,” Malik added.
Singh was honoured with the award for his performance in Bajirao Mastani but could not attend as he is filming Befikre in Paris. The actor sent in a video message to show his gratitude.
“I wish I was there today. I am finding it difficult to describe what it means to me to be recognised by one of the greatest artists of all time,” Singh said in a statement.
The actor also promised to work harder.
“Today, I feel the journey of Bajirao Mastani has been properly fulfilled. I promise to work harder and make you more proud in the future,” Singh added.
