Union minister Nitin Gadkari spilled the controversial beans regarding the Padma Bhushan awards. Gadkari revealed that veteran actress Asha Parekh had approached him and had sought recommendations for the award.
He further said that many others had ‘chased’ him to gain the highest civilian award. Giving away Padma awards has turned a ‘headache’ these days, he said.
“One actress met me, she has turned old…Asha Parekh. She came to meet me in Mumbai. The lift to my residence was not working, she climbed up 12 floors, I felt very bad. I asked her why she took the trouble,” Gadkari said.
On hearing the request for being honoured with the third highest civilian award that is Padma Bhushan, which comes after Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, Gadkari replied that she had already been honoured with Padmashree. However, the actress felt that she was entitled to be honoured with Padma Bhushan due to her achievements and contributions in film industry. Attempts to turn Parekh’s request into reality did not turn fruitful.
Parekh was honoured with Padmashree in 1992 and was felicitated with Lifetime Achievement award in 2014.