Veteran Bollywood actor Shashi Kapoor is to be given the Dada Saheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema, reports the BBC.

In his long career the actor appeared in hits like Deewar, Sharmilee, Satyam Shivam Sundaram and Kabhie Kabhie, and belongs to the well-known Kapoor family.

Kapoor turned 77 this year. The star began acting when he was only four years old, when he used to perform in plays directed by his father Prithviraj Kapoor, says The Indian Express.

Kapoor has appeared in about 160 films to date. — Photo: AFP
Kapoor has appeared in about 160 films to date. — Photo: AFP

He's already won several national film awards and was given the civilian award Padma Bhushan in 2011, but the Dada Saheb Phalke Award will be his crowning achievement. Kapoor is the 46th winner of the honour, which is awarded for "outstanding contribution to the growth and development of Indian cinema".

Kapoor has appeared in about 160 films to date, including a dozen in English like the 1983 Merchant Ivory production Heat and Dust.

Soon after the announcement celebrities took to social media to congratulate the actor. Indian PM Narendra Modi gave him a shout out as well:

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