• Veteran Malayalam actor Mohanlal will be honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award at the 71st National Film Awards ceremony.
• The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the highest recognition in Indian cinema, presented annually by the Government of India for outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian films.
• The award was instituted in 1969, in honour of Dadasaheb Phalke, the “Father of Indian Cinema,” who directed India’s first full-length feature film Raja Harishchandra (1913).

• The first recipient was Devika Rani, legendary actress and producer, in 1969.
• The award is presented by the President of India at the National Film Awards ceremony, organised by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

• It carries a Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus) medal, a shawl, and a cash prize.
• Recent Recipient: Veteran actor Mohanlal, while best known for his work in Malayalam cinema, he has also appeared in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Hindi films.
• So far, the award has been conferred annually upon 54 individuals, with Mohanlal becoming the 55th recipient.

Q1. Consider the following statements about the Dadasaheb Phalke Award:

1. It was instituted in 1969 in honour of the Father of Indian Cinema.
   
2. The first recipient was Prithviraj Kapoor.
   
3. The award is presented by the President of India at the National Film Awards ceremony.
   

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: C

The Hindu