The Padma Vibhushan for super-actors Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan has come not a day too late, specially for the thespian who is now in frail health.

Reacting to the honour Dilip Saab’s lovely wife Saira Banu said, “We are both delighted. My husband deserves the very best honours for the work that he has done and the man that he is.”

On the other hand Amitabh Bachchan felt the enormity of the honour was yet to sink in. “I am greatly humbled and overwhelmed by this recognition. My grateful thanks to the government for conferring this award on me.”

He later added that the honour is attributable to the love of his audience. “I dedicate this recognition to the fans and well-wishers who have been with me. In awarding me the Government recognizes the Indian film industry of which I am a small but extremely proud part.”

Prasoon Joshi who’s been honoured with the Padma Shri says, “When years of hard work gets recognised, specially by the Government, one feels humbled and motivated.”

However, there is a personal reason why this award is extra-special for Prasoon. “Among the honours and recognition that I’ve received, this honour is the most special as it means a lot to my parents and elders in the family and it has made them most happy. I want to thank our Government and the committee that considered my work as a writer in the field of poetry, cinema and communications to be worthy of this prestigious laudation.”

Filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali who is currently busy shooting the historical epic Bajirao Mastani says he was humbled and honoured. “My Devdas and Black received a record number of popular awards. I enjoyed the experience of getting so many popular awards. I even enjoyed the feeling when Devdas was screened in the competitive section of Cannes. But getting the Padma Shri is a different high. It comes from the government. And it means that the responsible people who run our country recognise my work and consider it worthy of the honour.”