Gurmeet Ram Rahim honored with Dadasaheb Phalke Award, just not the one you’re thinking!

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is a man with many talents. For the inundated, his microblogging profile mentions some of them. It reads, “Spiritual Saint/philanthropist/versatile singer/allrounder sportsperson/film director/art director/music director/script writer/lyricist/autobiographer/DOP” – and we suspect the list ends here for the lack of space.

Weeks after receiving a honorary doctorate from a London based university, another accolade was bestowed upon Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh in the form of a Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award.

He won the award for ‘Most popular Actor, Director & Writer’ for his movies MSG and MSG 2.

But, if you’re thinking that the name sounds a little different, it’s probably because it IS different. The award may sound similar to the ‘Dadasaheb Phalke Award’, which has been bestowed upon literary greats like Satyajit Ray, Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor, Bhupen Hazarika – but that’s where the similarity between the two awards ends.

The award presented to Dr. Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh, has no connection with the ‘real’ Dadasaheb Phalke Award. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award, instituted in 1969 and awarded to 63 recipients till date, is considered one of the greatest achievements by the film fraternity. The Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award, on the other hand, came into existence in 2015 and is awarded to multiple recipients each year.

If you’re confused or think this is a satirical post because both MSG and MSG 2 were, how do we put it subtly, not exactly a critics’ favorite – let us assure you it’s not. The awards actually exist and even Manoj Bajpayee received one this year for ‘Aligarh’. The picture is from the actual award ceremony. In fact, there’s also a video of the good doctor collecting his award. You can view it here:

Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh shared the news with his disciples/fans on his microblogging account.

Good news 4 all of U! Honored wid Dadasaheb Phalke Film Foundation Award for most popular Actor,Director&Writer. #MSGdedicatesAwardToGuruji

— Dr.GURMEET RAM RAHIM (@Gurmeetramrahim) April 24, 2016