NEW DELHI, Dec. 29 -- Indian superstar and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan was Sunday honoured with the country's top cinema award -- Dadasaheb Phalke award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry, officials said.
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind give away the award to the Bollywood superstar here during a function at the presidential residence.
The award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dhundiraj Govind Phalke was instituted in 1969.
"When my name was announced for the award, a doubt crept in my heart. I thought, is this a sign indicating that I have done enough and that it is time for me to sit at home and rest? There's still work left which I have to complete," Bachchan said during his speech.
He was accompanied by his wife Jaya Bachchan and son Abhishek Bachchan during the ceremony.
The award consists of a trophy and a cash prize of one million India rupees (14000 U.S. dollars).
Bachchan has also starred in some Hollywood movies and he was also the host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, the Indian version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire, and one of the most-watched shows on Indian television.
The 77-year-old Bachchan has appeared in nearly 200 Indian films in a career spanning almost five decades. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in India.