What is the story about?
The 62nd Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards ceremony recently took place in Mumbai on Wednesday, where Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Cultural
Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar presented honours to the "finest contributors to Indian cinema and the arts." Bollywood actress Rani Mukerji was conferred with the Late Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award 2025 at the event. Meanwhile, legendary screenwriter Salim Khan, father of superstar Salman Khan, received the Lifetime Achievement Award. His wife, Helen, accepted the honour on his behalf.
Rani Mukerji Gets Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award
The Late Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award 2025 was conferred on National Award-winning actress Rani Mukerji at the 62nd Maharashtra State Marathi Film Awards. Davendra Fadnavis and Ashish Shelar presented the award to her and other winners.
Talking about the honour, she said, "I think that's what makes this moment truly special for me since I'm receiving this recognition from my very own people and from the place I belong to. To receive an award named after the legend of Indian cinema Raj Kapoor ji is, in itself, hugely humbling. And I truly hope I can live up to this honour,"
"Mumbai has given me my identity. It has given me an audience. It has given me a career. And it has been my home, my safe place, my everything. So this award will hold a very special place in my heart because whenever I look at it, I will not just see an award. I will see my Mumbai, my Maharashtra," Rani added.
Pt. Hridaynath Mangeshkar, actor Prasad Oak and others were also honoured at the ceremony.
Salim Khan Wins Lifetime Achievement Honour
The Late Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award 2025 was bestowed upon veteran writer Salim Khan. As he could not attend the event, his wife and actress Helen accepted the honour on his behalf.
"I am grateful for this award for Salim sahab. He says thank you very much all you lovely people who have been trailing him and following him and he thanks you. All his films are my favourite. His health is very good. He is a very strong man and he sends his good wishes to all of you, to entire Maharashtra and India too," she told reporters.
Praising him, CM Fadnavis said that the veteran writer has given Indian cinema several timeless stories. He added that the film industry was transformed by the "Angry Young Man" portrayed by Amitabh Bachchan in films such as Zanjeer and Deewaar. He further highlighted how every dialogue from Sholay remains iocnic even today.
