Legendary director of Tamil cinema K Balachander was honoured by President Pratibha Devisingh Patil with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award, in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema.

The award consists of a Swarn Kamal, a cash prize of Rs.10 lakh and a shawl. The award was given on the recommendations of a committee of eminent persons. Heaping laurels on Balachander's creative genius, Patil said, “He has made films not in one language but in many - Tamil, Kannada, Telugu and Hindi. He has also been a mentor to many actors and technicians, many of whom have made a mark in Indian cinema.”

Speaking on the occasion, the President said cinema imposed a great responsibility on everyone associated with the film industry to use the power of cinema to do good for society, through the portrayal of attitudes that help in building a tolerant and harmonious society.