Director Priyadarshan Gets MP Govt's Kishore Kumar Award

Noted director and producer Priyadarshan, who has made several blockbuster Malayalam and Hindi films, was on Sunday conferred the Madhya Pradesh government's for 2018-19 at a function in Khandwa, the birthplace of the legendary singer-actor.

Kishore Kumar died on October 13, 1987 in Mumbai. Talking to reporters, Priyadarshan expressed regretthat he could not meet the legend. "I always wish I could meet him once. This honour isencouraging as I received it in Kishoreda's birthplace," he told reporters.

The award, instituted by MP Department of Culture,carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh and a citation, an official of MP Public Relations Department said. According to the official, the Kishore Kumar Samman jury selected noted actor Waheeda Rehman for the award for 2017-18. Minister for Culture Vijaylaxmi Sadho, who was present in Khandwa on Sunday, said the venue and date for honouring Rehman would be announced soon.

Kishore Kumar's death anniversary was marked by a large number of people who arrived at his memorial here and played some of his golden hits. 

These awards have been decided by the State Government based on the consensus recommendation of the Selection Committee. The meeting of the selection committee for these honors was held in the past which was attended by the experts of the respective disciplines.