Mumbai: Media reports on Wednesday speculated that the Dadasaheb Phalke award may be conferred upon 78-year-old Marathi thespian, Sulochana.
This despite the fact that Bengali legend Suchitra Sen was said to be the favourite this year. However, Suchitra's refusal to come to Delhi may have swung the verdict in Sulochana's favour.
An actor of immense talent and stunning beauty, Suchitra Sen has been a recluse for decades, hidden away from the world.
The decision to grant Suchitra Sen, one of the foremost honours in Indian cinema was supported by most of the jury, including filmmakers Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Yash Chopra and Mrinal Sen and actor Nageshwara Rao.
Even Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi was all for the decision.
However, speculation is rife that some prominent Maharashtrians - including Lata Mangeshkar, Balasaheb Thackeray and Sharad Pawar - were Sulochana and had even written letters to Dasmunsi asking him to grant her the prestigious award.
In the end, what probably swung the award Sulochana's way was Suchitra Sen's Greta Garbo-like seclusion from public life and her refusal to come to Delhi to accept the award.
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