President A P J Abdul Kalam presented film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan with the prestigeous Dada Saheb Phalke award for the year 2004 at a colourful function in Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi on Friday.

The audience gave Adoor a standing ovation as he stepped up to receive the award from President.

"I am delighted to stand in the gallery of distinguished film makers like Raj Kapoor and others after winning this prestigeous award," Adoor told rediff.com soon after he received the award.

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Text: Onkar Singh

Film maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan receiving the award from President A P J Abdul Kalam
Photograph: STR/AFP/Getty Images