Manoj Bajpayee wins Dada Saheb Phalke Award for ‘Aligarh’

Hansal Mehta’s ‘Aligarh’ may not have done well commercially but it has etched some lasting memories amongst many.

Manoj Bajpayee, who played the lead character of a gay professor in the true-encounter, has bagged one of the biggest accolades of Indian cinema – the Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

Mehta took to Twitter to announce the news, “Dadasaheb Phalke Award in the Best Actor (Critics�۪ Choice) to @BajpayeeManoj for his portrayal of Professor Ramchandra Siras in #Aligarh.”

Talking to a publication in India, Bajpayee confirmed the news, ���I am honoured to be the recipient of this award; it�۪s a wonderful feeling. I would like to dedicate it to Siras, for the struggle he faced in his journey to show to the world the true meaning of love. I want to thank our director, Hansal Mehta, for his courage to present this story. I also want to thank my co-star, Raj Kummar Rao, and the entire team of Aligarh. I am thankful to my audience and the critics for their tremendous appreciation and love.�۝