"Asking for Awards is Begging; Receiving Them is an Honour": Padma Shri Awardee Rajendra Prasad

Veteran actor Rajendra Prasad, who was recently honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India, said that awards should never be sought after. Speaking at a press conference after receiving the prestigious honour from President Droupadi Murmu, the actor admitted that the recognition came late in his career but said he never lobbied for it. "Asking for an award is like begging. Receiving it when someone chooses to honour you is true respect," he remarked, adding that he had never made any effort or enquiry to secure an award.

Rajendra Prasad also recalled that during P. V. Narasimha Rao's tenure as Prime Minister, someone had suggested that he request a national honour, but he chose not to. Reflecting on his career, he expressed gratitude to legendary actor Akkineni Nageswara Rao, who reportedly recommended him for a Special Jury recognition in the Nandi Awards for his performance in Madam. He also shared that after producing Rambantu, he realised film production was not for him and even sold half an acre of land near Annapurna Studios to recover losses. "I have never lived my life thinking only about money," he said.