The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest honor in Indian cinema, recognizing outstanding contributions to the growth and development of Indian cinema. Named after Dadasaheb Phalke, the “Father of Indian Cinema,” this award celebrates those whose work has significantly impacted the Indian film industry. Presented annually by the Directorate of Film Festivals under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, the recipient is awarded a Golden Lotus medallion, a shawl, and a cash prize of ₹10 lakh. Some of the notable recipients include Rajinikanth, Lata Mangeshkar, Amitabh Bachchan, Asha Bhosle, and Asha Parekh.
Overview of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
The Dadasaheb Phalke Award was established in 1969, and the first recipient was the actress Devika Rani. Named after India’s pioneering filmmaker, Dadasaheb Phalke, who directed India’s first feature film, Raja Harishchandra (1913), this award is reserved for those who have made exceptional contributions to Indian cinema.
Table of Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners (1969-2022)
| List of Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners (1969 -2022) | ||
| Year | Recipient | Category |
| 2020 (68th) | Asha Parekh | Hindi |
| 2019 (67th) | Rajnikanth | Tamil |
| 2018 (66th) | Amitabh Bachchan | Hindi |
| 2017 (65th) | Vinod Khanna | Hindi |
| 2016 (64th) | Kasinathuni Viswanath | Telugu |
| 2015 (63rd) | Manoj Kumar | Hindi |
| 2014 (62nd) | Shashi Kapoor | Hindi |
| 2013 (61st) | Gulzar | Hindi |
| 2015 (63rd) | Manoj Kumar | Hindi |
| 2014 (62nd) | Shashi Kapoor | Hindi |
| 2013 (61st) | Gulzar | Hindi |
| 2012 (60th) | Pran | Hindi |
| 2011 (59th) | Soumitra Chatterjee | Bengali |
| 2010 (58th) | K. Balachander | Tamil, Telugu |
| 2009 (57th) | D. Ramanaidu | Telugu |
| 2008 (56th) | V. K. Murthy | Hindi |
| 2007(55th) | Manna Dey | Bengali, Hindi |
| 2006 (54th) | Tapan Sinha | Bengali, Hindi |
| 2005 (53rd) | Shyam Benegal | Hindi |
| 2004 (52nd) | Adoor Gopalakrishnan | Malayalam |
| 2003 (51st) | Mrinal Sen | Bengali |
| 2002 (50th) | Dev Anand | Hindi |
| 2001 (49th) | Yash Chopra | Hindi |
| 2000 (48th) | Asha Bhosle | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1999 (47th) | Hrishikesh Mukherjee | Hindi |
| 1998 (46th) | B. R. Chopra | Hindi |
| 1997 (45th) | Kavi Pradeep | Hindi |
| 1996 (44th) | Sivaji Ganesan | Tamil |
| 1995 (43rd) | Rajkumar | Kannada |
| 1994 (42nd) | Dilip Kumar | Hindi |
| 1993 (41st) | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Hindi |
| 1992 (40th) | Bhupen Hazarika | Assamese |
| 1991 (39th) | B. G. Pendharkar | Marathi |
| 1990 (38th) | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Telugu |
| 1989 (37th) | Lata Mangeshkar | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1988 (36th) | Ashok Kumar | Hindi |
| 1987 (35th) | Raj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1995 (43rd) | Rajkumar | Kannada |
| 1994 (42nd) | Dilip Kumar | Hindi |
| 1993 (41st) | Majrooh Sultanpuri | Hindi |
| 1992 (40th) | Bhupen Hazarika | Assamese |
| 1991 (39th) | B.G. Pendharkar | Marathi |
| 1990 (38th) | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Telugu |
| 1989 (37th) | Lata Mangeshkar | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1988 (36th) | Ashok Kumar | Hindi |
| 1987 (35th) | Raj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1986 (34th) | B. Nagi Reddy | Telugu |
| 1985 (33rd) | V. Shantaram | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1984 (32nd) | Satyajit Ray | Bengali |
| 1983 (31st) | Durga Khote | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1982 (30th) | L. V. Prasad | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu |
| 1992 (40th) | Bhupen Hazarika | Assamese |
| 1991 (39th) | B. G. Pendharkar | Marathi |
| 1990 (38th) | Akkineni Nageswara Rao | Telugu |
| 1989 (37th) | Lata Mangeshkar | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1988 (36th) | Ashok Kumar | Hindi |
| 1987 (35th) | Raj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1986 (34th) | B. Nagi Reddy | Telugu |
| 1985 (33rd) | V. Shantaram | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1984 (32nd) | Satyajit Ray | Bengali |
| 1983 (31st) | Durga Khote | Hindi, Marathi |
| 1982 (30th) | L. V. Prasad | Hindi, Tamil, Telugu |
| 1981 (29th) | Naushad | Hindi |
| 1980 (28th) | Paidi Jairaj | Hindi, Telugu |
| 1979 (27th) | Sohrab Modi | Hindi |
| 1978 (26th) | Raichand Boral | Bengali, Hindi |
| 1977 (25th) | Nitin Bose | Bengali, Hindi |
| 1976 (24th) | Kanan Devi | Bengali |
| 1975 (23rd) | Dhirendra Nath Ganguly | Bengali |
| 1974 (22nd) | Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy | Telugu |
| 1973 (21st) | Ruby Myers (Sulochana) | Hindi |
| 1972 (20th) | Pankaj Mullick | Bengali & Hindi |
| 1971 (19th) | Prithviraj Kapoor | Hindi |
| 1970 (18th) | Birendranath Sircar | Bengali |
| 1969 (17th) | Devika Rani | Hindi |
Importance of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
- Significance: It is the most prestigious award in Indian cinema, celebrating lifetime achievement.
- Cultural Impact: It honors individuals who have greatly contributed to the Indian film industry.
- Historical Legacy: Named after Dadasaheb Phalke, it reflects the spirit and creativity of Indian cinema.
Dadasaheb Phalke Award: Key Points
- Award Components: Golden Lotus medallion, shawl, and ₹10 lakh cash prize.
- Eligibility: Lifetime contribution to Indian cinema.
- Presentation: Given annually at the National Film Awards ceremony.
- Inspiration: Named after the Father of Indian Cinema, Dadasaheb Phalke.
- Prominent Recipients: Lata Mangeshkar, Satyajit Ray, Asha Parekh, Rajinikanth.
Also Read Latest Current Affairs 2024
FAQs on Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winners
The first recipient was Devika Rani in 1969.
It honors lifetime achievements in Indian cinema.
As of 2022, there are 52 recipients.
The award includes a cash prize of ₹10 lakh.
It is awarded by the Directorate of Film Festivals, under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, and Asha Parekh have won this award.
Known as the Father of Indian Cinema, he directed India’s first full-length feature film.
A medallion, shawl, and cash prize.
Asha Parekh received the award in 2020.
Yes, but it was paused in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
No, the award is given to one person per year.
A committee of eminent personalities from the Indian film industry.
Annually at the National Film Awards ceremony.
The medallion given with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award is called the Golden Lotus.
K. Balachander received it in 2010.
Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor both received the award.
Winners represent many Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu.
Actor Vinod Khanna received the award posthumously.
Mrinal Sen, among others, won for contributions to Bengali cinema.
She was awarded for her legendary work as a playback singer.
