Popular actor, Manoj Joshi, was conferred with the fourth highest civilian honour, Padma Shri. The announcement about the list of honorees was made back in January.
The prestigious event took place today in New Delhi at the Rashtrapati Bhavan.
The President of India, Ram Nath Kovind, conferred the honour onto Manoj. Apart from Manoj, popular Indian cricketer, MS Dhoni, was also awarded the Padma Bhushan today. This was the second part of the investiture ceremony, the President having handed out the 43 Padma awards earlier on March 20. Today the honour was conferred upon 38 persons.
Manoj has been active in the film and TV industry of India since 1990.
His first starring role was in the much-loved TV series, Chanakya, where he played the role of Shriyak. Then he played a supporting role in the horror TV series, Woh – which was the Indian adaptation of Stephen King’s It. He received widespread popularity after he starred in a comical role in Priyadarshan’s Hungama in 2003. He is a frequent collaborator with Priyadarshan, having worked in films like Bhool Bhullaiya, Hulchul, Bhagam Bhag, Phir Hera Pheri, Chup Chup Ke.
राष्ट्रपति कोविन्द ने श्री मनोज जोशी को पद्म श्री प्रदान किया। वे गुजराती, मराठी और हिन्दी रंगमंच, टीवी एवं फिल्मों के बहुमुखी अभिनेता हैं। वे टीवी पर चाणक्य की भूमिका के लिए चर्चित हैं। pic.twitter.com/wC1jT1m4d8
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) April 2, 2018
Manoj has also won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the 2017 film Dashakriya.
In an earlier interview with reputed newspaper, Manoj had said, “Paan-masala waale awards ki mujhe padhi hi nahi hai (These award shows, which are mostly sponsored by tobacco companies, have never interested me). Mujhe woh award ya nomination mile ya na mile, koi farak nahi padhta (Makes no difference to me if I get those awards, or nominations, or not)! Is there any honour bigger than (the Padma Shri)?”
Besides Dhoni, the President also presented Padma Bhushan awards to Pankaj Advani, Laxman Pai and folk musician, Sharda Sinha.