Rajkumar Hirani Honoured With National Kishore Kumar Award: Artists, Directors Come And Go, Songs Live On

3 Idiots filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani was awarded the Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman by the Madhya Pradesh government on Sunday. Celebrated for films like Munna Bhai MBBS, PK and more, the director was bestowed with the honour at the ceremony held on the legendary singer's 37th death anniversary in his hometown Khandwa on October 13. Rajkumar Hirani receives National Kishore Kumar AwardHe was recognised by the Culture Department of Bhopal for his contribution to the Hindi film industry. Tribal Affairs Minister Vijay Shah honoured the Dunki director for scriptwriting.In his heartfelt speech, Hirani recalled the day Kishore Da passed away. He recounted how, as a young fan who had just moved to Mumbai from Nagpur, he stood outside his bungalow in Mumbai's Juhu. He was not permitted to enter, as he was merely a fan and was yet to make a mark in the industry. Hirani said, “Today, the same person who couldn’t enter Kishore Da’s Mumbai home is now being honoured in his birthplace, Khandwa. Artists and directors may come and go, but songs live on. I’m sure that Kishore Da’s songs will be sung for the next 100 years.”

He also remembered the lyrics of Kishore Da’s songs, which spoke of settling in Khandwa and savouring milk and jalebi. Paying a tribute, he honoured the legend's memory by offering milk and jalebi at his memorial.The event took place at the Police Parade Ground and also featured Kishore Night, a special musical tribute to Kumar by singer Neeraj Shridhar and his team.Raju has become the 27th recipient of the National Kishore Kumar Award. Before him, megastars Amitabh Bachchan, Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Dharmendra, and Shatrughan Sinha have received the Kishore Kumar Samman.