Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Prasoon Joshi named for Padma Shri

Acclaimed filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali and celebrated writer-lyricist and ad guru Prasoon Joshi were named for Padma Shri honour Sunday on the eve of 66th Republic Day.

They will receive the award for their contribution to art over the years.

A glance over Bhansali's films showcases grandeur and originality and his knack of story telling. Be it his "Khamoshi: The Musical", "Devdas", "Black" or "Goliyon Ki Raasleela: Ram-Leela", Bhansali has connected with the audience in a special way.

He has also directed an opera in Paris in 2008. He also ventured into the television arena as he co-produced TV series "Saraswatichandra".

In an interview, the 51-year-old filmmaker had said: "I feel I am at that stage of my life when all my hard work, all the knowledge and experiences that I've gathered over the years, have come to fruition. I feel more fulfilled and complete today than I did when I was 40."

Bhansali is presently working on his period drama "Bajirao Mastani" featuring the "Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela" trio of Ranveer Singh, Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

The film delves into the love story between Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I (played by Ranveer) and his second wife Mastani (Deepika). Priyanka plays Kashibai, the first wife of Baji Rao.

Joshi, whose lyrics echoes melody and originality, is known to juggle between the two worlds of advertising and Bollywood.

While he has been known for his heart-warming lyrics in songs like "Maa" from "Taare Zameen Par" and "Bolo na" from "Chittagong", his maiden script-writing venture "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" was appreciated too.

Joshi's work is not limited to the ad world or the Hindi film industry. He is also known to do his bit for the society by taking up cleanliness initiative himself and spreading awareness about the same through his lyrics.

Joshi penned an anthem for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Swachh Bharat Abhiyan campaign. In an interview to IANS earlier, Joshi had mentioned that Modi had inspired him to use children's voice for the anthem as "they are the agents of change".

He is also the chairman of McCann Worldgroup Asia Pacific, a global marketing firm.

Other awardees in the Art category are -- Kanyakumari Avasarala, Naresh Bedi, Rahul Jain, Ravindra Jain, Prafulla Kar, Tarak Mehta, Neil Herbert Nongkynrih, Kota Srinivasa Rao, Shekhar Sen, Mahesh Raj Soni and Tripti Mukherjee.

Late cartoonist Pran Kumar Sharma, also known as Pran, has also been conferred the award posthumously.